Air Shocks

[Decipha]

Since I do ALOT of driving im looking for something that
will make my beretta drive smooth.  I was thinking
about going with the autozone air shocks only 64.99
each with a lifetime warranty.  Do you think this would
be the smoothest possible ride?  I need something that
will give me a nice ride and jack my car a little higher.
(1.5 inches)  My rims scrap when i go over bumps.  The
air shocks have adjustments on them.  What do you
experts think?

[1988GTU]

Air ride....  Soft.  Air shocks usually never sit right, and look cheap to me.

[wicked-irocz]

air shocks do not ride soft.  They will lift the car but not the rim so if your rim is rubbing its not going to help.  

[IsaacHayes]

Your rim is hitting potholes? Or the car is hitting when you hit a bump? If it's the later then the sprigns/struts/shocks are worn out and not working right. I bottomed out all the time when I got my car.

I would think the air shocks would be bouncy. You want a smoother ride then FE1 springs (base) and monroe/oem struts/shocks and a wheel/tire package that has a tall sidewall (14" rims) is your best bet.

Me, I went with stiff FE3, and Z26 wheels so it's not smooth, but it's firm and responsive. Oh yeah and it handles!

[1988GTU]

I just ride fine with my eibachs, KYB's, Poly everything, Z51 bar, Strut tower brace.

[Mr Goodwrench]

eibach are good spring an ride well.  putting the air shocks on the rear will make it bounce an be a bit stiffer ride.  i have spring rubbers (like nascar) in the rear springs just to add a little height.. ÂÂÂ
Get a good quality shock/strut!!  not the cheap junk you need to replace a few months down the road..

Mr Goodwrench

[Decipha]

thanks for all the insight you saved me alot of time and effort


FE1 springs (base) and monroe/oem struts/shocks
where can i get these? links plz

also, i have 225/40/18 tires that i can not replace due to the price i paid for them
i'm more than happy with the tires i have i just want the ride to be smooth
my front end talks to me when i hit the gas hard or stop swift, also if i go over a bump
they speak.  I'm pretty sure they're shot to all hell, I'm wanting to replace all the
suspension components, such as the shocks and struts in the front and the shocks and
springs in the back.  I'm new to the suspension part of vehicles since i really mainly do
just engine work.  I greatly appreciate all help and am very interested in learning more.

Also.. can some one give me an estimate on the price to replace my suspension?

[Jeff P]

The best places to get FE1 or F41 suspension are the junkyard or the For Sale section on this board.

Prices to replace your suspension vary widely, and also depend on whether you want to replace the bumpstops, etc. for your springs and absorbers.

[Decipha]

I kind of need new shocks asap.. what about the autozone gabriel hi jackers?

[IsaacHayes]

Oh man, you are running 18" wheels? That will be harsh because there isn't much sidewall to absorb bumps. Probably be harsh no matter what you do with that setup...