after five and a half years and 60K+ trouble-free miles (many of which were during spirited sprints through the Santa Cruz hills)... my s2k started making "thump" sounds from the L-rear area whenever I went over an irregularity on that side of the car. it actually sounded like it came from just under the flat plastic that the top folds into, but after looking underneath the car I saw that one side had all kinds of dried oil-dirt gunk collected on the bottom of the spring and the otherside didn't. I bounced that corner of the car and sure enough, thump thump thump.

ok, so I need to take it to a dealership and get the shock replaced. I'm wondering if this is something I might as well get done on both rear shocks? does one failure soon follow the other?

also, any recommendations for a Honda dealership to do the work in the S Bay or peninsula?

thanks!

 

You don't want to upgrade to an aftermarket suspension? If you're staying stock I would replace both rear shocks, since the other one has some miles on it already.

 

Don't take it to the dealer. And for goodness sakes, don't pay retail for two new OEM shocks.

It's not a hard thing to do. Find some local autocross guys to help you out for a case of beer. They probably have all the tools and jacks you'd need anyway.

You could probably source a pair (or a set) of 30k mileage OEM shocks from the for sale section easily.

Especially since a lot of the stock class guys are going STR which allows for full coilover / spring changes... there are lots of stock shocks lying around.

 

both

 

thx for the input guys.

I'll post a request in the NorCal section to see if anyone has a rear shock available for sale that I could take a look at, and since it's apparently a pretty straightforward job I'll look into a respected independent shop near Mountain View to install it. (I've been fairly unimpressed with Larry Hopkins Honda in Sunnyvale for routine stuff getting screwed up, like tire alignments, etc.)

If I'm not able to find a single used one for sale, I guess might replace both rear ones with OEM or equivalent.

 

The rears are easier to swap out than the fronts.

I did them in my garage last Winter. Seriously, there are a lot of autocrossers in your region. It's such not a big deal. I have two sets of shocks sitting in my garage and I'll bet people around you have them too.

 

I got a PM someone is offering lightly used (10K miles) 06 shocks and springs as a set for a couple hundred bucks. however, I think that the suspension was changed after MY03-- made more soft? but pls correct me if I'm wrong. otherwise I've had no responses.

or I can order a pair of rear OEM equivalent shocks; I'm seeing Koni S2000 rear shocks for $350 a pair here:
http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_par...onda/s2000.html

fortunately I found someone local who works on S2000s a lot (and owns one) who agreed to replace mine for a very reasonable price.

thx for your input!

 

Do you want my MY02 shocks? 35k miles. Spring rates are the same as your 03. You can have them. I think I may have an autopartswarehouse coupon, too.

 

You can also put your springs on the 06 shocks...

 

I appreciate it! thank you!

I might have a couple lined up locally but if that falls through I'll def pay for shipping for your shocks.

and thanks for the input re: mixing model years... it seems like really the springs changed, shocks are the same.

s2ki is an awesome community