[Skipshot]

I found out the hard way that my '00 Gary Fisher wagon has a special self-leveling rear suspension and replacement shocks are around $500 each! Oooof. . . !

What options do I have for replacing the rear suspension? My mechanic says he has a 9-5 parts car (probably a sedan) and can put that rear suspension system in my wagon and put in new shocks. Any thing else?

 

[MI-Roger]

You can replace springs and shocks together

Other owners of the Gary Fisher special edition cars have repalced their rear springs and shocks together using parts for the standard wagon. You can't mix & match springs and shocks between the GF and regular, but you can replace the whole set-up.

• I wouldn't use sedan springs in a wagon.
• I wouldn't install used springs either, particularly on a wagon, unless the donor car was young with minimal miles.

Some owners have used their failed Novomats as an excuse to install a full Aero spec suspension in their wagons. I have a full Aero spec sedan suspension system sitting in my basement - new in the box -waiting for warmer weather before I install it on my car. This option will cost you around $700 for parts alone but replaces the full front and rear suspensions.

 

[Skipshot]

Thanks for the tip. I was afraid this was going to cost me one way or another. I've ridden in Aero wagons before and find the ride too stiff. As a stay-at-home dad I use the car to haul two young kids and groceries and prefer a cushier ride. I even sold the special GF wheels because of the rough ride (let the flaming begin).

Should I get just the regular wagon suspension, or is there something I'm missing about the Aero suspension? Also, what recommendations do you have for parts suppliers?