I need to replace the front shocks on my car because the upper bushings are shot, and nearly gone making a HORRIBLE rattle. I was wondering what brand of shocks to purchase? I really need something cheap, but I want to keep the ride comfort and softness as close to OEM.

As a side note, while replacing shocks, do I need to compress the springs with a spring compressor, or will it be okay if I allow the suspension to reach full tilt?

 

If the shocks are still good why dont you just replace the rubber bushings. Its a fairly simple procedure (did it to my 90 and worked fine for 4 yrs)

 

I would just replace the bushings, but to go through all of the work to take everything apart just to fit some bushings, I may as well do the entire shock. It is nearly 14 years old and has 125,000 miles or so of wear and tear. I had heard that there is a place that can refurbish the old shocks (for cheaper than new), but I don't have that kind of time.

 

You an find Bilsteins for about $95 online, and you can choose 'sport' or 'comfort' depending on what you'd like as a replacement. The labor for bushings are just as much as replacing the shock, so thats why many are just opting for the part swap.

 

I found the comfort Bilsteins for about $80 a side. As much as I would like to save the money and just replace the bushings, it's easier to just spend the money to do the whole shock that comes with the bushings to make life easier.

 

How do they feel? Are they the heavy duty ones? I need to do mine soon..

 

I believe they are the HD ones (the only two being HD or the ones for the X306 chassis). They are very nice, but I cannot quite tell if they feel better or worse. Since everyone else raves about them, I've got to assume they are better.

 

Are you supposed to use the ones for the X306 Chassis nor not? I saw some that I was looking to order but they had x306 and then just the normal ones.

 

The ones for the X306 are made for the X306 (Xjr6). Use them if you have a 306, otherwise, use the ones specified for the X300 if you want it to have the same ride.