Hi All,

I have read over a few posts here and saw alot of people like the KYB as an aftermarket choice for struts in the event they don't go with OEM. I have a 2004 with 295000 Km or apprrox 180 thousand miles on it and the two rear struts are blown and need to be replaced. I have had the tires off and the seals are blown on both struts. I was talked into buying a couple of Gabriel Ultra Ready Quickstruts. Has anyone had any experience with these? Also, my suspension was variable but I can't afford the approx 700 per strut for the variable suspension replacement. Do I just disconnect the wire at the top of the old strut and leave it? Can I do the back two and leave the front two without causing any issues like having my dash light up?

Any assistance or help to my questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Paul

 

Don't do it. I know its costly to go OEM or KYB, but the Gabriel Ultraready struts are what I used to replace my old struts (170k on them). They were terrible! Car rode like it was on leaf springs, even over the smoothest roads! I felt every pebble I ran over. It was so bad, I took them out and put the OEM ones back in after just a few hundred miles. I sold them to someone that wanted to put them on an 03 Camry, at a substantial loss. The OEM struts werent leaking or making noise, and I prefer the ride of the old struts to those new ones.

If you can't go Lexus, go KYB.

 

I went with KYB on my 99 ES300 and love the improved ride. All 4 struts were worn out after 18 years and 81K miles. I am a little over 10K miles into these struts, and they were well worth the $270 US.

 

I went with KYB (with original springs) on my 1998 at around 180k miles and the ride is fine. Definitely felt firmer (not worn out lol) as I also went from the 97-98 OEM 15" wheels/tires (205/70?) to a set of OEM 16" wheels/tires (215/60) from the 02-04 model.

I looked into all the "ready" all in one strut/spring replacements and they're just not worth it when it comes to fitment and ride quality. I tried that only 1995 Accord EX with Monroe Quick struts and ended up returning them for KYB's all around...and man it was a hassle! The old Accords have a double wishbone front suspension and a smallish spring that conventional spring compressors wont fit so you must use these u-Bolt type compressors that are a pain to put on and take off.

As for warning lights, you could probably pull the fuse to that system.

 

Thanks or the responses guys. Sorry I never responded earlier as I just have had a lot going on. I will hold off on installing anything just yet.

 

I have had a lot of good experience with Detroit Axle parts, Their struts are decent and well made, they're worth looking at.

 

the ones they will send you do not look like that. Ask me how I know. I ordered them, sent them back because the rears came and were completely wrong. They sent replacements but they looked exactly the same. Taller strut body and too many coils in the springs.

But for other components, detroit axle is good stuff.