Can you physically move the shock in and out by hand in all settings? Are they suppose to do that and why? If not mine do that and does that mean they need to be rebuilt?

 

I pushed mine in by hand when I first put them on.

 

Yes you should be able to move it in and out.But as you rotate teh dial it should get noticably stiffer to move.Stan

 

Thanks, guys. I bought mine used and wasn't sure but installed them anyways. But I am not liking the ride from them so far too spongey. They are set at 3/2. What should be the setting for street use?

 

I only have them on the front and they range from stiffer than stock all the way to 93/7's. Just set it where you like it.

 

TRy front at 6 and rear at 5. Mine handles like its on rails.

TB

 

You should not be able to move them in and out by hand on any setting other than 1 (2 or 3 if you are built like Arnold).

Sounds like they are shot, which seems to be an all-too-common thing. I have experienced a 50% failure rate in 12,000 miles. Same thing as you -- the shock can be compressed by hand at all **** settings.

 

Tim,
TO get that high of a failure rate, how high were you setting them at?

I'm just wondering if the QA-1's can't take the strain when they are set above 8 or 9. I noticed that when they are adjusted really high, they almost become solid.

TB

 

I usually run (F/R) 7-8/5-6 on the street and 8-10/5-9 on the track.

The strain on the shocks would also seem to be directly related to the spring rate -- higher rates cause more rebound energy that needs to be absorbed.

My speculation -- and it is pure speculation -- is that our trucks are too heavy and too stiffly sprung for QA1s. I seem to remember Stan saying that his 1,500+ lb front springs wear out a set of QA1's quickly.

But since there does not appear to be any real alternative, I guess I should just plan on &$^# annual rebuilds.

 

I going to be selling my QA-1's since I'm getting the Vette (they are six months old...if that). I've noticed my truck did no better at the track on the QA's than it did on the Roush valued Bilstiens. I'm thinking of installing the roush shocks before my next track event next month.......or maybe change them out at the track and see if I can tell a difference. I was disappointed with the QA-1's! They did make it possible for a better ride on the street though.


J

 

What does it take to do a rebuild? Quite frankly these QAs are six months old and I gave up new rear bilsteins and cash for them. I am quite dissappointed if this the case on failure rate. Looks like I might go back to the bilsteins. Thanks for the replies.

 

If you take a look at the QA-1 catalogue, these shocks are really intended for cars in the 3300-3900 lb range. Extra weight and spring rate will certainly ask more of them. Keeping them at 8 or below, might be a little easier on them. Mine are still fairly new, so that's what I'm going to try. Not much will take the pounding of 1500lb springs.

TB