Replace Rear Shocks on Suzuki Grand Vitara 2009

[@theslimeylimey]

I have a lifted GV and need longer shocks too. I'm wondering if you measured the fully compressed length of the Monroe vs the old and have you checked full travel after install? My concern with longer shocks is them bottoming out before the suspension does which is something you definitely want to avoid. Cheers.

[@Valkush]

I haven't compared max compression on the car between the original/monroe/dobinsons, but it's really worth a validation. I know many folks in Israel driving GV with these shocks and are very happy

[@Valkush]

Now that I'm thinking, I've heard complains that they start to leak earlier than expected, which might be related to what you are saying. That rubber stopper on the control arm is to soften the last centimeters. It'll be sad to see that the shock stops it instead. Other than that, it probably has the best price to value ratio amongs the shocks for a lifted GV.

[@theslimeylimey]

@@Valkush Hi, thx for the reply. I think the best way to test for shock bottoming is on the vehicle. I would put the vehicle on jack stands under the "frame" so one or both rear wheels can fully droop. Then put a floor jack under the control arm to take up the spring load and remove the lower shock bolt. Lower the jack until the spring is slack and can be removed by hand. (this is how I installed my urethane spring spacers) Once the spring is removed you can reinstall the lower shock bolt and then jack up the rear control arm without the spring fighting you until you either hit the bump stop and start lifting the vehicle or bottom out on the shock which is what you don't want. It would be a good idea to put a mark on the shock at maximum compression so you know how much travel you have left if any after hitting the bump stop. I think there is probably excess travel available in the stock shock because some kits do come with a little double U bracket that goes between the eye of the stock shock and lower control arm bolt. This suggests a longer shock of some sort should work but how much longer I can't say.

[@theslimeylimey]

Just like to add one more thing. The danger of the shock bottoming is damage to one or both shock mounts which are not designed to take the full weight of the vehicle or impact from bottoming on the shock. The only load they are supposed to see is the shock gas pressure which is negligible and the damping force from the oil inside the shock which is not nothing but far from a bottoming condition.

[@Valkush]

​@theslimeylimey that makes sense, next time I'm messing with my car I'll try to measure the limits. I'll ask the GV folks here if anyone noticed the shock bottoming out on their setup. I do know that the stock and Dobinson shocks that I had were too short for a 2" lift kit. Each bump I was feeling the dobinson extending to its limits.