I paid a technician to replace my front struts with the KYB (none OEM) cartridges about 3 months ago. I was very unhappy with the ride and there was a rattle ever since. So I replaced them with Gabriel ultra easy install complete kit myself. The ride is far superior, sure I know oem struts at $270 each and oem strut mounts would have fixed it better but I am very impressed with the Gabriel’s fit. People say the KYB after market are the same? Are you kidding the bottom mount isn’t close. The bushing on one side was already twisted and almost destroyed. See the attached photo, the Gabriel actually made the bottom mount busing to OEM size, The UCA were from a Rock Auto and I reused my bolts with the new lock pin, sure OEM is Better but I’m on a budget and this made a huge improvement.

 

Reading your post, I remembered this discussion. The OP finally became happy with the KYB.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...go-sticks.html

 

What brand UCA did you get? Did the cotter pin fit through the castle nut in the correct place? I can't tell by the pic. ( A lot of discussion of aftermarket being wrong, mine included)
Being "on a budget" sucks sometimes but ya gotta do what ya gotta do. We all do. As long as you're happy, it's all good. What year is your car?

 

The after market non oem KYB strut insert has too smalll of a mount size. This was after 3 months, I bet this occurs
all the time, This shows the Gabriel compared to the KYB that people are putting in, the mount at the bushing is way too small. I cannot believe anyone thinks this is ok to use and call it a replacement. If are worried about brand name and want KYB, buy the oem not this KYB, it’s absolutely not a fit.

 

That's bad for only 3 months. My rear KYB's have been on for about a year (maybe longer, I'm gettin old) and I can't see anything wrong with them. They also have the smaller bushing on them. Maybe yours was just torqued before it had a load on them. Or it's possible the installer had it twisted a bit when he torqued it. (the bottom mounting hole needs to be perfectly lined up with the bolts in the upper mount.) Or ya just got a bad shock, KYB hasn't been all that great lately.

 

My rear KYB are fine after one year. There is much more torque, weight and torture at the front of the car I liked the Gabriel quick strut now at my front, it rides nice an at least it actually has The correct size lower mount. The other strut mount was also showing issues, not as bad yet.

 

What brand UCA did you go with?

 

Wow, gonna swap for gabriel if they go out

 

SKP which seemed very well built but for some reason the passenger one was difficult to get on. All the non OEM ones are about the same quality just reuse the original castle nut or by a new one.