Gabriel Shock Absorber - very cheap, any good? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ah-kay · #1 12-08-2009, 02:02 PM

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/parts/partsProduct.jsp?skuDescription=Gabriel+Ultra+/+Shock/Strut+-+Rear&categoryDisplayName=Suspension+%26+Steering&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=196066_0_7413_&productId=196066&sortType=&parentId=46-0&filterByKeyWord=shock&isSearchByPartNumber=false&navValue=14600661&categoryNValue=14699999&fromWhere=&itemId=661-0&displayName=Shock/Strut+-+Rear&store=3351&searchText=shock&brandName=Gabriel+Ultra

It looks like only Autozone is selling it. It is almost half the price of Bilstein shocks. Any one has experience with it?

Thanks.

t walgamuth · #2 12-08-2009, 02:07 PM

They work for a while.

stimpy451 · #3 12-08-2009, 02:27 PM

SHOCKING!

Pooka · #4 12-08-2009, 02:35 PM

I put some on once and, to quote a previous poster, 'they work for awhile'.

The ride is good, and they deliver good value for the money, but they will wear out in about 25,000 miles. Therefore it depends on how long you plan on keeping your car.

450slcguy · #5 12-08-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

[URL]

It looks like only Autozone is selling it. It is almost half the price of Bilstein shocks. Any one has experience with it?

Thanks.

When I first bought my car, It needed shocks real bad and I didn't want to spend the $300+ for Bilstein's. I bought 4 Gabriels for $22 apiece. Within 2 years, 1 of them leaked and another one had the center bushing dislodged. Brought them back to Autozone and received replacements. No charge.

They're not Bilsteins's for sure. But they are cheap, work OK, and come with a lifetime replacement warranty. They're stiff are make the car ride hard. While it might not have been a mistake, I'll replace with the Bilstein's one day.

If you buy them, Inspect them carefully after a couple thousand miles. Check for leaks and dislodged bolt bushings. If defective, Don't hesitate to return them for replacement. Mine have been OK since I replaced 2 of them.

i-osprey · #6 12-08-2009, 08:57 PM

I recommend KYB.

I have the GR-2 front struts and the matching shocks(aren't called GR-2) on the rear.

I replaced Gabriels the previous owner had installed and I am very, very pleased.

t walgamuth · #7 12-08-2009, 09:50 PM

kybs will work for about 30K in my experience.

I've never worn out a set of bilsteins I have put on. They will last over 100K.

toomany MBZ · #8 12-08-2009, 10:15 PM

I'll second Bilsteins, have yet to fail.

tr1cky · #9 12-09-2009, 09:38 AM

My $0.02 is to stay true to the Bilsteins.

elchivito · #10 12-09-2009, 10:24 AM

I put Gabriels on my Zuki last month.... Put it this way, I wouldn't have them anywhere near the Mercedes.

oldsinner111 · #11 12-09-2009, 10:58 AM

I'm going with Monroes.

gsxr · #12 12-09-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

kybs will work for about 30K in my experience.

I've never worn out a set of bilsteins I have put on. They will last over 100K.

Bilstein, Boge, Sachs, and maybe KONI will often last more than 100kmi. Even with 100-150kmi on them, they often still work better than the cheap ones with only 10k. They all have a lifetime warranty, as well (for original purchaser only). I have these on all my cars. More dogmatic folks have made the claim that a used Bilstein with 100kmi will outperform a brand new Gabriel / Monroe / etc.

Gabriel, Monroe, Sears, etc are all junk. They'll work for a couple years or maybe 25-50kmi, then they die. If you're putting them on a car you're selling, I could (sort of) understand. If it's a car you're going to keep, don't waste your money. KYB is sort of in the middle, but they lean heavily towards the Gabriel / Monroe side of things...

ah-kay · #13 12-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Thanks everyone for the info. But I decided to install the Gabriel shocks. I am not a keen believer in buying top of the line stuffs for cars, I do not believe in over-spec-ing the replacement parts.

My rationales are:

1) They are cheap, price-wise. May be reputation-wise.
2) Limited Life Time warranty. It may be a pain to R&R. My sweat labor is free.
3) I paid peanut for the 190D and it will be a run about car, not a high usuage DD.
4) The 190D is relatively light compare with other cars. May be less stress on the shocks, I hope.
5) There are so many variables in a 25 years old car that anything can go kaput tomorrow, or the car is totaled. So why spend the money if other things may break long before you get your 100K miles worth.
6) The shock looks well build.
7) If I get 30K+ miles out of this car then I will be a happy guy.

gsxr · #14 12-09-2009, 08:09 PM

I guess I don't understand why you even asked the question in the first place! You asked if they were any good, the answer was "no", yet you're going to buy them anyway. Myself (and others) have learned the hard way that sometimes it's simply not worth pinching pennies on cheap aftermarket parts. Some people need to learn the hard way I guess (or, will never appreciate the difference because they never do buy the "good" stuff).

Oh, and btw, if you only want to get 30kmi out of a car - why not buy Japanese instead of a Mercedes? Even that 190D can last for 500kmi if it's well cared for. Your expectations for the W201 seem pretty low!

ah-kay · #15 12-09-2009, 08:38 PM

I asked because I have not heard of the brand and it is only sold in Autozone. If forum members think the shock can last 30K+ miles then it is good enough for me. I reckon I will do 5-6K in the car per year and it will be 50 years to reach 500K. The car currently has 200K.

I will report back when it reaches 30K miles in a few years time.