I need to replace the front shocks on my El Camino. The best of my memory they've never been replaced. This has been in the family since new. Any info on what shocks to install. I want a good ride, this is just a daily driver. Just rolled over 100,000 miles.

Also the rear air shocks leak down after a day or so. I don't haul any heavy loads with it. What would be a good shock for the rear? Do I really need the air shocks?

The shocks are easy to replace. Even a beginner mechanic should be able to do it, no special tools needed. The big decision is how much to spend. You can get the crummy stock OEM style shocks for cheap. There are some mid range shocks for not a lot more money. If you have the budget get some Bilestiens. It was the best improvement I did to my Camino for the money. I put some Air Bags on the rear. I don't haul stuff very often, but it is nice to have that option.

Do a search for Air Bags or Shocks. This has been discussed many times before.

I reccomend Edelbrock IAS shocks. They are terrific.

I reccomend Edelbrock IAS shocks. They are terrific.

I second that! Put them in mine and the ride and handling drasticaly improved.

Did ya'll put the Edelbrock IAS shocks on both front and back?

I went with Air-Lift bags in the rear--raised the back up a little for bigger tires--never leak--under 100 bucks(Honest Charlies) rides about the same as air shocks... :cool:

Go with the Edelbrock and the Air Lift air bags . Its the best bet going in my opinion. Yes, change all four shocks.

I put 60 psi in the air shocks today and checked them about 5 hours later and had no air. I'll see if I can locate/stop the leak, then I'll worry about what to do with the rear shocks. Anybody running without air shocks or air lift bags?

I loved my kyb Gas-A-Just (not GR2). They rode very nice with a good feel when cornering. Bilstien would be my second choice, They are also what GM puts on most of it's veichles.

I did a search on shocks & read alot of posts. All I saw about the rear was air shocks or air bags. My question is, has/does anyone run without air shocks or air bags? Would the car ride good with regular shocks all the way around?

MOst if not all shocks are Gas. Lets set a few things striaght. Airbags are for ride hieght (replacing your springs) and have a slight dampening effect. Shocks have a compressed gas in them that give them a dampening effect. The difference in shocks is the technology to use that air to dampen more effectivly.

I hope this makes scense.

You may be thinking of shocks that can be made stiffer and firmer when compressed more (like when hauling). Those have sensors and mortors to pump them up more.

In the end it's all a type of air that is in them

Hate to be contrary but the normal shock is hydraulic with no gas. The gas assist shock is hydraulic with gas over the hydraulic fluid to "assist" the dampening action (inert gas such as nitrogen doesn't bubble or foam as easily as air). Air shocks, such as the OEM shocks on 5th Gen Elkys, used compressed air and are adjustable to vary the ride height. All performance shocks are gas assist. Air shocks are pretty much passe, however you can still purchase them. For an Elky the best arrangement, in my opinion, are performance "gas assist" shocks with Air Lift bags on the rear to adjust ride height.

Did ya'll put the Edelbrock IAS shocks on both front and back?

I did and the ride became much more controlled and somewhat stiff.

I suggest you put some penetrating oil on the fasteners a day or so before wrenching. :cool:

I just replaced my OEM air shocks for monroe air shocks. I want to keep mine fairly stock looking. Put 60 psi in them I like the height.

Brian

I've replaced the shocks with Monroe. I had the rear replaced with the same but with the coil type shock. Replaced the idle arm and two ball joints. Had a 4 wheel alignment too. Boy does it ride and drive great. No more floating plus no more pulling a little to the right.

Is there a reason to do a four wheel alignment on a a vehicle without any means to adjust the rear alignment? Just wondering.

I think your question contains your answer. Without any way to adjust it, you cant align the rear. If you use adjustable upper and lower control arms you could make adjustments to the rear, but each adjustment to one side would change the other side.

When I did my alignment this weekend, I used the rear wheels to determine toe on the front (1/16" toe in on each side).

I'm not sure what all is done with the $59 4-wheel alignment. I'm thinking maybe it keeps the car from doing what I call the dog trot, car not tracking straight as it goes down the road.

When doing a four wheel alignment on a vehicle with a solid rear axle, it is refered to as a "thrust line" alignment. Although there is no adjustment in the rear, the front wheels are aligned in relation to a line perpendicular to the rear axle. As mentioned this makes the front and rear track in the same line. Much better than the old way.

I'm running KYB Gas adjust all the way around and find the ride is firm but not harsh. There are other performance shocks available such as those mentioned, but for the money I think the KYB's are the best value for the money.

Last fall I replaced all 4 shocks on my 1980 elky. At first I wanted to "keep it original and replace the rears with air shocks. The mechanic said that air shocks are "old technology" and the current "load-leveler" type shocks work much better. They also have a lifetime warranty, the air shocks are only under warranty for a year. I got Monroe Sensa-Trak shocks all the way around. The rears are the loadleveler type with the springs that are advertised to maintain ride height with a load up to 1,200 lbs. I haven't carried that kind of load, but the ride and handling is much improved over the worn out original stuff. The elky had only 55.000 on it then.

Hey Cabamino, what was the cost of that work? Is the loadlevellers by Monroe as well?

They are Monroe all the way around. The fronts are Monroe 5840 Sensa-Trac, cost $45 ea. The rears are Monroe 58411 Sensa-trac. cost $131 for the pair. Looks like Monroe doesn't call them loadlevelers anymore. There is more info on Monroe.com

Jerry

thanks! sounds like the way I want to go.

When i bought my 80 Caballero the owner told me there was a kit behind the seat to eliminate the "Y" in the airline for the rear shocks and provide a seperate inflate hose for each side seperately. I thought on this and realized that, as is, when the car rolls to one side, the shock will be compressed and create a higher pressure in the opposing side, which in turn amplifies the roll to the opposite side. ( hope that made sense)I installed the seperate lines to each stock shock and the change was VERY pleasing. Now when my fat a$$ brother gets in the passanger side i can inflate the passanger side shock and level out the car for a level ride! ( just kiddin about that part).
The install was very simple and is a great poor mans fix for eliminating at least some degree of roll.
80Caballero