In Chicago we had a morning temp of -10F. My Satellite has hydraulic shocks on it at all 4 corners. The ride was really rough and the car bumped and rocked it's way down the road-feeling like it had no suspension at all. I know warmer( +18F. woo-hoo) weather is near, but am I doing unnecessary damage to my undercarriage when these shocks stiffen up like this ?? I generally stayed away from gas -charged shocks as they never seem to last as long as they should.. Any opinions ??

I doubt if your doing any damage...though I would keep an eye on the upper shock mount. I would imagine its the cold temperatures making the fluid thick. Have you tried Monro-matic gas charged shocks? A set was on my Satellite when I bought it in summer of '97, and they are still on there. The bushings are getting cracked, and will replace them this spring only because of that. Otherwise, they are still good. They are the blue ones and you can get them at a good price just about anywhere.

Just reinstall your old worn out shocks...............

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Ed
64 Valiant 225 / 904 / 42:1 manual steering / 9" drum brakes

Any particular reason why you're running antique shock absorbers?

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

As I mentioned above, it just seemed to me that the gas charged shocks never lasted very long on any vehicle I've owned. I just picked up a set of NOS Gabriel stryders for the rear of my car ( they adjust to 3 diff. firmness levels)- but they are hydraulic also. Eric W. has suggested monroe-matic pluses- any other suggestions besides Koni ??

Buy cheap parts-store shocks...get cheap parts-store shock lifespan. Buy NOS shocks and they come pre-worn-out.

Given equal quality levels, non-gas shocks do not last longer than gas shocks, it's just easier to tell when the gas shocks are worn out.

Buy KYBs. They are economically priced, work very well, and last longer than the stuff from Gabriel or Monroe.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Hey there.... just because shocks are gas charged, doesnt mean that they don't also have hyd oil..... they all have oil, the gas is an added ingredient.

Probably damaging driving with salt on the roads. I love when I drive in the rain at night and the temp drops to the 20's. My suspension cracks the ice when I get it moving in the morning.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick