After inspecting the shocks, the rear ones were original, but there was some question about the age of the front ones. They are a Bilstien yellow and they may have come on the F53 chassis when it was new..
I decided to replace both front and rear with new KBY shocks ($40 each after rebate).
After removing the shocks, a Push-Pull test on both the front and rear showed they were worn out. I could fully compress the shocks in about 5 seconds. The new KBY shocks, I had to sit on them with my full body weight and it took over a minute to compress them. This was a good call on replacing them.
FRONT
Removing the fronts went fairly easy. I tried to break the lower nut, but it wouldn’t budge. I heated it with a torch for about 60 seconds, then was able to break it loose. I used blue locktite on the lower bolt when I put them back together. Bolt and nut sizes are 1 1/8 inch
REAR
The original rear shocks used a plastic accordion cover, the new shocks have a metal cover. One problem was the top of the cover was hitting the two frame mounts, this caused the cover to bend slightly and hit the body of the shock. No Good.
Rather than return the shocks, I made a decision to use a die grinder and cut small slits in the top cover so it wouldn’t hit the frame.
The cover isn’t a structural part of the shock. Also, its very high up so debris should be able to get into the two notches I cut into the cover.
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What size or model of shocks did you get??
These were KYB’s I bought from Rock Auto. I don’t see then listed any more. They currently list Monroes, If I was doing this again, thats what I would use.
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Can you give model # of the socks that you used??
These were KYB KG6415 and KYB KG6416
These were harsh ride. On my ole 2001 Mirada, I used Monroes
MONROE 557001 (front) and MONROE 557007 (rear)
I’d use the Monroes again in the future.
Just as a follow up, was there any other brands that were considered? Bilstein or Koni?? KYB’s are the cheapest that I have found, I just didn’t want to regret getting the cheapest and have to replace them in half the time necessary.
Thanks again for your site and info.
I choose KYBs for the Southwind (price), they are very firm. On my old 2001 Mirada, I choose the Monroes. They were a much softer ride. If I had to do it again, I would have chosen the Monroes instead of the KYBs.
As for Bilstein or Koni, ???? If these were installed to replace a worn out shock, I suspect they would show a drastic improvement. My shocks on the Southwind and the Mirada were completely worn out, and the KYBs and Monroes showed a drastic improvement.