How long do aftermarket suspensions last?

Obviously it depends on use. Just like anything else (as well as quality), but should I expect an aftermarket suspension to last longer than factory if we are talking just road and some off-road use?

 

Depending on how hard you use it, I would always replace struts and shock at 100k intervals unless they're shot.

 

Why? Just because that is usually when yours go bad?

 

At exactly 123,456 miles

 

Even if they don't go bad, I still replace them at 100k intervals.

 

I wish I had that kind of money

 

Usually from my experience with the vehicles I've had in the past, 2 sets of tires per set of struts and shocks.

 

You save a lot if you can do it yourself.

 

changing shocks every 100k is like spending 30-50$ a year ...

 

No more like $100 a year. For just struts and coils and shocks.

Money is money. Pissing it away is pissing it away lol.

 

I'll ask again: How long do aftermarket SUSPENSIONS last?

I'm concerned about spending $1,700 on an OME suspension and having to replace it again.

When you post your strut change interval can you state what aftermarket system you have and what you do with your truck?

 

Then you misunderstood .... He said he changes his shocks and struts ever 100k , not COILS . Coils and leaves ( excepting Toyota bs quality ones) don't fatigue in 100k unless used abnormally hard .
So even if it WAS $100 a year , if you can't swing that to keep the vehicle maintained ? I dunno

 

I don't want to unnecessarily spend money. If other people want to that's their business. I personally don't want to spend money fixing what isn't broken. Just me.
It's not maintinence when it's not needed. He said he changed those out even if there were no problems with them.

 

Then no one can legitimately answer your question because all of our suspension parts are going to wear out at different rates ... Therefore if we are gonna "wait till its broke to fix it " the interval is indefinite , until it's broke lol

But in short , suspension components ARE a wear item , just like spark plugs or oil

I've had several sets of bilsteins need replacement at 100-120k , if it helps

 

Ok I can understand that.
Was hoping they would last longer. My full size lasted 200k but to be fair one strut was starting to crap out 50k before.

Thanks.

 

I do believe ome has a lifetime warranty. Ive ran 885s & 886s along with dakars with lots of abuse and never had an issue. As far as maintenance, I don't think there is any for the front setup. The dakars I would put some lithium grease on them once in a while to slow down the squeaks.

If you get uniball uppers like total chaos, you should grease them along with your drive shaft(s) every oil change and carry some tri flow lube for the uniball.

 

the average OEM shocks are good for prob good for 75-100k miles depending on driving type. And when you "do" suspension, you'll really only need to consider replacing the shock itself, not the spring or leafs. But there is no one size answer fits all. I had bilstein 5100s blow twice (in the rear) within 30k but that as a lot of offroading, and the shock itself cost 80$ per, so I paid that, twice in 15k miles. To me, I didn't mind because I was offroading a lot during that time and I understand that things happen (sand in seals, leaks, etc). But like other said, suspension is a "Wear" item. If you pay big bucks you can actually repair shocks yourself and replace all he seals and bushings. yea the kits costs 60-70$ maybe, but when the shocks cost 1600 and you only have to pay 60-70 every couple years to repair them, whats REALLY cheaper in the long run? AND if you want to keep you vehicle in good condition so it doesn't crap out on you in the worst time (which would inevitably happen), take the time to do things right the first time and it'll save you having to replace things in shorter intervals.

Also, doing the work yourself saves a ton of cash.

Good luck with the decision.

 

King, Icon, Fox shocks are completely rebuildable. You will never have to replace the shock. You will need new seals and oil for the rebuild but that's it. You will want to put fresh springs on your coilovers every 3 years or so but that is only if your really beating on your truck.

If you run a uni-ball upper control arm you will need to replace the uniballs every few years. Keeping them clean and lubed is the key to longevity.

 

OME parts have better corrosion protection than OEM, so they can be expected to last longer.

 

Mine are covered in rust , its been 5 or 6 years