Car Analogy

A bigger question is why is a shock with only 26k miles leaking?

These shocks usually last a long time. Typically the damping gets weak from wear, yet they still don't leak. I had nearly 150k on mine when I swapped them, and none were leaking. Just wanted a fresher set. Its rare that I've heard of one of these shocks leaking, and its usually with very high miles or physical damage to the shock.

An old mechanics trick is to squirt some oil onto shocks when car is on lift, then bring the owner over to see the leaking shock the mechanic 'discovered' for you. Is it possible that happened?

Even if the second mechanic that looked at it is honest, he sees the oil and assumes its really leaking. How would he know if it was staged?

BigZazS2K

I have no idea - Bought the car a year ago off the original owner (it's an 02) and he really had it sitting for maybe 5 years. I assumed it was leaking because it was old and sitting.

I feel like the car rides great. The only reason why I've mentioned a leaky strut was because I was told the strut had a leak from two different shops that I took it to (one being a friends shop whom I trust). That doesn't discount the fact that maybe at one point, a shop tried to hustle me or the previous owner into having the shocks replaced...

s2kdriver80

I'm approaching 300k miles on my 2003. The first 100k was driven on the stock AP1 coilovers, and the latter 200k was and is still being driven on the CR coilovers (plus CR antiroll bars). The car still is perfectly driveable as a daily driver and no issues with damping, but then again I don't track the car so I'm not stressing the suspension. If I were to stress test my current CR coilovers with a brand new set, I would probably notice a difference.

I would try to get my money's worth and keep driving the car until you start noticing extra bouncing after going over bumps. In the meantime, maybe stock up on the CR coilovers now (prices are going up on these as they are becoming scarcer) and have it ready so when your current suspension fails, you can just swap them in right away. You said you like stock height. The CR coilovers are a nice upgrade (should probably get the antiroll bars too for completeness).

Car Analogy

Hopefully the OP chimes in with what he ended up doing, and its been working out.

A caution with a full CR setup, springs and shocks, on non CR cars, is many have reported the front end sits unusually high compared to non CR stock rake. Probably not a performance concern, but many did not appreciate the change to their aesthetics.

s2kdriver80

It sat a little higher in the beginning but the height settled over time. Also need to make sure they are preloaded correctly when installing.

Bama Dave

I have 2 oem front struts without the lower spring perch. If you want them just pay the shipping cost. Not hard to swap out your parts to them. Just let me know. came off an 04 with 70k on them. Later BD

Car Analogy

Hopefully at some point there will be an aftermarket stock equivalent shock available. I know many have just gone with aftermarket coilovers, and some of those options include products aimed more at street use than track. But there is still a sizable group of owners that have stock or mostly stock cars and want to keep them that way.

Currently the only option is buy new oem shocks, at a cost comparable to some of the best streetable aftermarket coilovers out there (for example Ohlins). Up till now most that want to stay stock have just bought low mileage used shocks. But those are drying up fast.

We need an aftermarket source for stock like suspension (much like you can buy aftermarket stock like brake pads, rotors, even wheels).