Shocks - Shelf Life?

[NeuMarkTx]

Just got part of my order from American Air in today, fast shipping go Eddie! Thing is, the boxes my rear shocks came in look pretty old, like maybe even 90's old. Do these things have any kind of shelf-life? Any personal experience with shocks that have been on the shelf that long?

On a side note - Same question regarding Motorcraft airbags, got mine in from Amazon the other day, they came with the Solenoid installed (is it a good idea to remove and re-grease them or just leave them be since their new?).

 

[chris2523]

i left the solenoid in on my NOS air shocks and they have been just fine.
the shocks are a little noisy on the driver side, but the air bags looks great and the handling seems unaffected.

 

[slowmkviii]

Don't worry about it
Its a very long shelf life.

As for the air bags did yours come prepared charged with a little air (my frons did)if so I'd leave the if not
Do not grease them I use parker super o-ring lube
Its safe to use on rubber (no petroleum).

 

[NeuMarkTx]

The fronts seem to have some air in there, the rears came in yesterday and are Arnott's from American Air, they came without solenoids and un-charged, just gonna replace the o-ring and re-use the rear solenoids. I hope the rear Arnott's hold up, Ive heard their fronts are ****.

Thanks for the tip with the parker's, think I'm probably going to get some Zymoll and condition the bag rubber as well, hopefully keep them going for a long time once I replace them.

 

[unity]

Rear arnotts seem okay. I went with them and they were fine for a few years til the car was out of my sight. They are SO quick and easy to replace anyway, unlike the fronts.

 

[chris2523]

i've had arnott rears for years now. doing just fine.

 

[NeuMarkTx]

Good to know, hope to get them put in soon.