USAtruck6

I got a pair of Doetsch Tech shocks for my 1.5 downey coils in the rear. When I got them I had to pull up the head. From all my past experiences with shocks (monroe,trailmaster, rancho) they have always stood up. How will I get performance out of a shock that doesnt reposition itself? Is this normal? There customer service doesn't know their azz from their elbow.
thanks

Jared Ajlouny

thats how some shocks are, all shocks do is stop the car from bouncing, so if it hard to move in and out its all good....

EWAYota

but if the shock is already compressed?

USAtruck6

good answer...thx...now do you think stock shocks are adequate or is the extra 1" on the shock better for the performance and ride?

garrett1478

i just thought that meant it's low pressure... i dont know though

CoedNaked

My bilsteins I couldn't budge one bit by hand. But I know they definately do their job when I'm driving. My OEM shocks that I replaced with the Bilsteins I could definately push in and out by hand. Subsequently you can guess that the ride quality of the Bilsteins is much firmer.

kyle_22r

shocks are usually controlled by a valve that has a certain flow rate on compression, and another on extension. all they do is control the jounce and rebound of the suspension, they're not springs. most allow for a quick compression and a slower rebound.

USAtruck6

Thats one firm ride....

jimbo74

shocks behave differently... the pro comps i got were compressed when i got them and i had to stretch them out to install them, thats how their valving is.... i love the ride on my es 3000s.....

its all in the valving and depending on what the use is or even as pciky as what some manufacturer decides can dictate if it will stay compressed or rebound itself... as previosly stated, they are not springs.... and thus they control the rate at which the vehicle responds due to the springs.....

USAtruck6

i appreciate the responses...thanks all

celica

The springs bring them out of compression

Unhappy99

Its the difference between a gas pressurized and standard hydraulic shock. They both work the same way: a valve being drug through fluid. With the addition of pressurized gas, the gas will act like a mild spring (same as an air shock, just weaker), allowing the shock to self extend and helps prevent the fluid from foaming.

How a Shock works

snap-on

as unhappy said, a gas pressurized, (usually nitrogen) shock will expand (stand up). Why pressurized? It helps keep the oil from foaming (creating air bubbles) when the shock is doing its thing.

Technically all the shock needs to do is dampen; most do this by forcing oil through a small orifice, the energy from the suspension is converted into heat this way, which is then dissipated.

Fade happens from foamed oil that is hot. both conditions lead to a thinner oil which passes through the orifice easier and thus reducing dampening effectiveness.

surf4runner

SNAP

CoedNaked

They're firmer than the OEM shocks but they definatley ain't rancho's. The control I have gained from these shocks is awesome. A little firmness is a small price to pay for the control I have gained. I can gun corners (not that I do this all the time but I've tried it just to see) and the truck doesn't exhibit the body roll it once did. Hitting potholes and bumps doesn't phase the truck as much as it used to and it eats up washboard roads.

You want firm? Try cranking your torsion bars up an inch and a half with an extra leaf spring in the back with a set of ranchos like my truck had at one time when the previous owner had it. OUCH! You'll be seeing the chiropractor after a day of driving!