65 RIVI GS SHOCK ABSORBERS

[arnulfo de l.a.]

I need to replace all 4 shock absorbers to my 65 RIV GS.What is a good shock for my car? I'm not looking for any type of high performance handling type shock just something equivalent to a factory type shock.

gracias,

arnulfo

[RivNut]

Arnuflo,

I'm very happy with the Monroe Sens-a-tracs that I put on my '64. Front part #5759, and rear #5760; they're about $25.00 each. Installation is straight forward and there are no adapters needed.

Ed

[arnulfo de l.a.]

Ed,

Just curious;What led you to these particular shock absorbers? Thanks for the help!

Arnulfo

[RivNut]

Arnulfo,

I was working at Advance Auto for a while and they were the most requested by customers both over the counter and through the QPA program for commercial accounts, and they were the best shock for the price. Koni list an application but they require an adapter to work with the Riv, and they were that much more expensive. The "other application chart" for the Konis has quite a number of different applications from Avanti to Volvo. (Almost A to Z)

I cross referenced the Monroes and they only applied to Buicks from the era. I figured that had to account for something, at least it wasn't some Dodge truck shock that was similar in length that Monroe could substitute and pick up another application for a generic shock.

As you stated, I too wasn't looking for a performance shock just something to give the car a nice ride. At the same time, I replaced as many other bushings as I could find parts numbers for. I'm sure that this as well did a lot for the increased ride comfort.

Another reason was that it carried the manufacturer's name rather than the distributor's name. You can never tell what you get when you buy the "private label" stuff.

Ed

[arnulfo de l.a.]

Thanks alot Ed.That was very imformative and thats what I'm going with.

Arnulfo

[whitewatersky]

thanks Ed - I need new rears for mine - good that I searched.

I showed this to our head technician - coincidentally he had a set of Sens-a-tracs in his Commode - i mean Commodore 20 years ago

I'll go this way in mine if we can get them easily.

[whitewatersky]

FYI any other Aussies on here - the part #s don't match to our local Monroe stock.

we're looking at whether to buy in the USA, altho from what we can see, the items are $20ish per side but freight is $45 each

if i knew how to put one of those SHOCK smilies i'd insert here....

[RivNut]

if i knew how to put one of those SHOCK smilies i'd insert here....

[whitewatersky]

thanks for that ! incidentally, i was more remarking on the ratio of freight to part itself. really because it's AMAZING to see the low price of those shocks.

did they come with the bushings? or would they be ordered separately?

and i found the smilies (only right there in front of me)

[RivNut]

Bolt them on out of the box. Comes with everything. You need to reuse the bolts that bolt it to the A-arm.

Nothing crosses over? You'll have to have someone throw some in the trunk of the next car that's going your way and be patient.

[whitewatersky]

thanks for that info. i have a mate who may be coming from Long Beach in a week and a half - I'll attempt to get em sent to him if it all goes to plan.

the rear passenger shock is pretty rattly so whilst it's not ideal, it's hopefully still driveable until i get them

i have written to a bunch of parts suppliers here to see if anyone has em.

we'll see...... I don't really wanna unbolt the existing shocks and take to locals for a *near* match if I can get your recommended shocks somehow

[whitewatersky]

Update for Aussie owners.

I have had success finding them here in Oz via www.allamericanautoparts.com.au

Advice from them:

The front shocks # 5759 are $ 160.00 pair and the rear # 5760 are $ 170.00 pair and they come with all of the necessary bushings to install them.

[RivNut]

You might look into this option before spending that kind of money. I looked in an old "Index of Articles" for the Riview and found a reference for shocks that might be easier to find. I've not tried these so I don't know how exact of a fit they are, but on the other hand, I don't recall anyone saying that they didn't fit.

This is from Riview Volume 5, Number 2, Jan/Feb 1989

"Shocking Solution." ..... Front - Monroematic Plus for 1970-1988 Dodge Van, and 1972 - 1988 Dodge pickup

Rear - Monroematic Plus for Chevrolet C-10 Pickup, 1980 - up.

Remember, this was published in 1989 so the shock was probably good for that year's vehicle. No telling how long that shock was used on C-10's. There may be Sensatracs or even other brands that would have shocks for this common of an application on hand.

If you have a good parts jobber you can work with, he can "look in the books" and tell you all of the dimensions, diameter, mounts, compressed length, extended length, etc. for these shocks and you can compare them to others.

Edited December 6, 2012 by RivNut (see edit history)