PPK321

So I'm thinking of replacing all 4 struts on my car but wanted advice on what kind to get.
I'm thinking of rolling the dice on Sensen since they are about $150 for all 4 compared to $300+ for KYB. Does anybody have any experience with this brand?
Also, while I'm in there replacing the struts, should I replace anything else?
Thanks for the help

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

your old worn OEM struts are probably better than the 150$ struts, so just save your money til you can get good ones.

Zhejiang Sensen Auto Parts Co., Ltd.(China) was established in 1985. As a professional auto shock absorber manufacturer and exporter,

(quote) I bought a full set of the SenSen struts on eBay for $135 and got them installed. Wanted to let folks know they do fit good but they ride pretty stiff. (unquote from another blog)
30 day update (As much as I wanted to like these..... I hate them. The car rides rough now and really I regret buying them. The fronts arent so bad but the rear hardly gives at all over bumps.)

Sound like a Lexus???

your on your own...................



.

PK_Celsior

iTrader: (18)

KYB is one of the original companies that have made struts for our LS400. So the KYB struts will be the closes to OEM.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Buy them right the first time. There is a proven history for the KYB GR2's, buying anything else can be risky. If these economy units fail, you are stuck having to remove-replace and get another alignment. That old saying, you get what you pay for comes across my mind.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

KYB GR-2/ Excel-G (new line to replace the GR-2) for OEM replacement.

j2b4o

150$ for four shocks should be a red flag!
If you have to get super cheapies atleast look at Monroe or something with a track history.
KYB makes a very nice shock for the price.
I Have no dampner experience on the LS in particular but I have used various KYB's in other applications and have never been disappointed. I consider them my "go to" budget shock for almost any application. In my experience its best to avoid cheaping out on suspension, brakes and tires because they keep you alive more than probably anything else on the car.

Good luck!

PPK321

Great. Thanks so much for your input.
I'm still on the fence about which one to choose so I'll do some research on Sensen and leave some feedback on them if I decide to go that route.

Is there any other part that I should replace while I do the struts?
Bushings, springs, etc?

PPK321

Also, do you guys know what other brands are out there designed for comfort?
I read that people that put KYB's on say that the ride is slightly stiff.
I don't really care about handling so I just want the most comfortable and squishy feeling going over bumps.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

KYB.

they made the OEM shocks. the reason they feel "stiff" to many people is because new shocks need a few hundred miles to break in, and then they're being compare to VERY old/blown shocks.

j2b4o

Billstein probably makes a comfort shock for this application, they mak em' for the German cars. They won't be cheap though, usually most expensive before Koni/yellows.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Rock Auto.com has good prices too. Bilstien's are slightly more expensive then the KYB's. +1 on not cheaping-out on struts/shocks. I need to replace mine before long and KYB's are the ones I am going with.

awdandrwd

iTrader: (1)

Please, stop calling them "struts", LS never came with struts -- thank god.

He has a UCF10, there are no Bilsteins for him. I have KYB shocks on my car with stock springs and they work very well. The ride isn't boaty at all, a bit firm and very comfortable and controlled. Car handles very well for it's weight.

I would not trust $150 set of 4 brand new shocks. Spend the $400 on KYB, this isn't something you want to be cheaping out on.

Stan

shirkes330

Don't buy the sensen just put some on the rear of my LS and it just feels jittery and bouncy! Once I can afford it I'm swapping them out for new!

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

and the Bilstein HD are noticecable stiffer than stock. no "comfort" series for the LS from them. Bilstein only makes shocks for the '95-00 cars and No, they are not interchangeable.

j2b4o

My bad. It was just an idea to check out, Im not doing the guys shopping for him. Monroe does and they are cheaper than the KYB. Thought I might have seen billsteins when I was lookin for replacement air shocks but aparently not.