QA 1 - Strut Rods and Shocks

[Cudajason]

Hey guys,

I am planning to order QA1 adjustable strut rods and single adjustable shocks next month.

Anyone have any issue with the QA1 products.

I see Hotchkis offers  the same parts, but a bit more money.  Is it worth it to hold off and order the Hotchkis over the QA1 parts?

Thanks,

Jason

[dodj]

I have the QA! struts and the QA1 single adjustable shocks. I picked the shocks up at their manufacturing facility in Lakeland a few years ago. Nothing but good things to say about them. I don't have any Hotchkis so I can't give you a comparison though. Willing to bet you can't go wrong with either brand.
I will say I thought I had pretty good shocks on the car before I installed the QA1 pieces. After the driving with the QA1 shocks, I became a believer in the 'you get what you pay for' when it comes to shocks.

I also have the QA1 K-member.

[Dakota]

I have been using the QA1 strut rods without any issues.  I didn't drive the car much before I took it apart so I can't really give a "before and after" comparison.  Just make sure you get a measurement on the length(s) of your existing strut rods so you have a good starting point for setting up the new ones.

I have Billstein shocks all around so no help for you there. 

[usraptor]

I have the QA1 non-adjustable shocks all around on my '70 'Cuda.  They work well but definitely stiffen up the ride.

[Brads70]

I have double adjustable shocks on both the Challenger and the Javelin. I've had them on the Challenger for 8+ years now with no issues. Liked them so well I bought them for the Javelin but haven't got it on the road yet. Love the adjustability! 

[Skdmark]

Put QA1single adjustable on mine last year with new leafs. World of difference.

[7212Mopar]

Looking at the front shock, QA1 has the adjustment knob at the bottom. Hotchkis has it at the top. So I suppose the two are not the same design. I am running Hotchikis with their torsion bar and front sway bar but QA1 strut rods. I really like the combo in and out of turns. Transient response is another matter and seems more have to do with the unibody stiffness. I do admit I have not try to push it hard and don't want to lose it and hurt my ride.

[Cudajason]

thanks for all the feedback guys.

looks like I will stick with the QA1 plan.

Looking forward to the improved ride from the adjustable shocks and seeing if the adjustable strut rods help any.

Jason

   

[benlavigne]

@Cudajason , Previous owner had installed single-adjustable QA1's on my otherwise stock Challenger, and I found the ride too stiff to my taste, so I replaced them.
Let me know if you have not bought them yet, I still have them, practically new, only need the lower bushings for the rear ones.

Ben

[Cudajason]

@Cudajason , Previous owner had installed single-adjustable QA1's on my otherwise stock Challenger, and I found the ride too stiff to my taste, so I replaced them.
Let me know if you have not bought them yet, I still have them, practically new, only need the lower bushings for the rear ones.

Ben

PM sent!

[Scooter]

^^^ Great offer!! 

I have the QA1 single adjustable on all 4 corners... love them. They do stiffen up fast as you turn the dial. I typically run 3 to 6 clicks equally on all 4 corners.... cant even imagine how stiff it would be cranked to 18...lol. 

[dodj]

@Cudajason , Previous owner had installed single-adjustable QA1's on my otherwise stock Challenger, and I found the ride too stiff to my taste, so I replaced them.
Let me know if you have not bought them yet, I still have them, practically new, only need the lower bushings for the rear ones.

Ben

Mine you can dial down to way too soft. I run a setting of 6-8

[Purepony]

I have qa1s in my camaro and love them !

[jordan]

I have the Hotchkis strut rod.  The solid design has a much tighter feel on the brakes than the rubber bushing ones.  It doesn't look like there would be much difference between the two brands since both are of similar design. I killed the rubber bushing at the K frame when I first built my car on a stock style adjustable strut.  No problem since I switched to the Heim joint. 
     I have AFCO single adjustable shocks and love them.  The adjustment is at the top.  Easy for the fronts.  Kind of a bitch to adjust on the rear.  I put them on at full soft and then drove.  It was horrible.  I slowly dialed them up until I got the ride quality I wanted.  The car has much better control with a well set up shock. 
     It will be worth the time and money on this mod!