opus Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Is/was there much of a suspension on these when they were new? I did a drive yesterday, 100 miles on a gravel road, hammered me to death! THe front wasnt quite as bad as the back. Bang, bang, bang in the back. Granted the shocks might be the original, I need to look. Can you make these ride decent on gravel roads? Mind you, I still have hard, studded snows on, which contributed to the rough ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Is/was there much of a suspension on these when they were new? I did a drive yesterday, 100 miles on a gravel road, hammered me to death! THe front wasnt quite as bad as the back. Bang, bang, bang in the back. Granted the shocks might be the original, I need to look. Can you make these ride decent on gravel roads? Mind you, I still have hard, studded snows on, which contributed to the rough ride. Sounds like you answered all of your own questions. While the suspension was not designed for luxury by any means it shouldn't beat you unless it is in need of replacement. New shocks/struts are available but getting harder to find. Tires contribute a lot to comfort of drive. But, the softer the tire the less life it will have off-road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
renob123 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Is/was there much of a suspension on these when they were new? I did a drive yesterday, 100 miles on a gravel road, hammered me to death! THe front wasnt quite as bad as the back. Bang, bang, bang in the back. Granted the shocks might be the original, I need to look. Can you make these ride decent on gravel roads? Mind you, I still have hard, studded snows on, which contributed to the rough ride. I never drove one when it was new, but I drove mine before and after the 20-year-old suspension was replaced with KYB struts/shocks. I feel mine does a good job of being very stable at 70mph on the freeway and pretty capable at 20mph in the dirt. Your suspension is height-adjustable, which affects how it handles bumps and rocks and stuff, too. You can search on here for how to adjust it and what effect that may have on the ride harshness. My shocks were rusted solid when I got it, so adjusting probably wouldn't have helped, but I'd look into that first, then start replacing that old stuff. Jacob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subiemech85 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 guessing broken torsion bars my severely rusted gen2 BRAT rode good with no rear shocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 (edited) I never drove one when it was new, but I drove mine before and after the 20-year-old suspension was replaced with KYB struts/shocks. I feel mine does a good job of being very stable at 70mph on the freeway and pretty capable at 20mph in the dirt. Your suspension is height-adjustable, which affects how it handles bumps and rocks and stuff, too. You can search on here for how to adjust it and what effect that may have on the ride harshness. My shocks were rusted solid when I got it, so adjusting probably wouldn't have helped, but I'd look into that first, then start replacing that old stuff. Jacob The '87 does have height adjustable unless it was replaced at some point in the past. guessing broken torsion bars my severely rusted gen2 BRAT rode good with no rear shocks If it had broken torsion bars it would not be driving down any roads let alone a gravel road at speed. Broken torsion bars mean broken, sagging, on the bump stop suspension. Edited April 28, 2010 by Qman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bheinen74 Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Why doesnt the 87 Brat have adjustable suspension? It should have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qman Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 It did come with it. About half were replaced with non-adjustable after market struts. Fixed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 I hear Autozone of all places carries the heigh-adjustable front struts. Possibly made by Monroe since that's one of the only aftermarket brands I've seen that stayed true to the Subaru design with the adjustable lower spring perch. And I guess they are cheap too - like $40 each is what I was told. Mind you that's second hand info but from a good source. Worth checking out if you need a set. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Wish I had an Autozone within 150 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Wish I had an Autozone within 150 miles. They sell online as well. GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Just looked them up - they are Gabiel Ultra's - $72 GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
opus Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 I didnt find anything adjustable. Maybe its an in-store only thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeneralDisorder Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 Direct link: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?itemIdentifier=229062_0_1759_1200&skuDescription=Gabriel+Ultra+/+Shock/Strut+-+Front&brandName=Gabriel+Ultra&displayName=Shock/Strut+-+Front&categoryNValue=&sortType=&store=2219&isSearchByPartNumber=&fromWhere=&fromString=&counter=1&itemId=660-0&navValue=14600660&filterByKeyWord=&productId=229062&searchText=&categoryDisplayName=Suspension+%26+Steering&parentId=46-0 GD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsoobdude Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 Bringing up an old post I know, but it says that the shocks from autozone are not adjustable for the front even though it shows the adjustment parts. Anyone get a set lately and can confirm this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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