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Recommendations on new struts

Old May 10, 2018 | 05:23 PM
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Default Recommendations on new struts

i was checking Rockauto for struts and noticed the KYB’’s are listed as increased handling and performance. Does anyone have experience with these and can comment on if there is any improvement.

My new LS has 160k miles on it and I have way to much bounce and float. I am coming from an IS250, so I am use to more of a road feel and performance. I know the LS won’t ever feel as nimble, but wouldn’t mind a former ride.

Are the KYB’s worth it, or should I just pick up a set of struts from a local parts store or eBay/Amazon?

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Old May 10, 2018 | 06:31 PM
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I used an off brand from auto parts warehouse (.com)

Paid 150 dollars FOR ALL FOUR. They have performed flawlessly and have a lifetime warranty. Flame suit on. I have over a year of use on them and about 20k miles.
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Old May 10, 2018 | 07:15 PM
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OEM or you will miss your comfy ride.
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Old May 10, 2018 | 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by MedicalDoc
OEM or you will miss your comfy ride.
Well, I picked the car up with 159k miles, so I really don’t know what the OEM ride is like. Lol
Originally Posted by roadfrog
I used an off brand from auto parts warehouse (.com)

Paid 150 dollars FOR ALL FOUR. They have performed flawlessly and have a lifetime warranty. Flame suit on. I have over a year of use on them and about 20k miles.
So, it sounds like you would definitely recommend these units.
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Old May 10, 2018 | 10:36 PM
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OEM or you will miss your comfy ride.
You clearly didn't see my post above, lol.

So, it sounds like you would definitely recommend these units.
Yes, I would. I believe a couple of other members here installed them as well and liked them. Very "comfy ride"
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Old May 11, 2018 | 09:07 PM
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@roadfrog You've talked me into it. I'm picking up a full set. Hopefully I will have them on by this time next week.
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Old May 11, 2018 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Gjohnson
@roadfrog You've talked me into it. I'm picking up a full set. Hopefully I will have them on by this time next week.
You won't be disappointed. Make sure you follow up with a report!
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Old May 12, 2018 | 06:03 AM
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My car came with a recently replaced left side KYB front strut so when I changed the control arms I just bought another one on Amazon for $100 to put on the right side.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 11:52 AM
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Just be aware that if you're not doing it yourself a shop will charge you an arm and a leg for the labor. When I was calling around to have my coilovers installed I got quotes between $750-900.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 03:12 PM
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There are KYB "gas a just" on Rockauto for 1/2 off close out price, I replaced my fronts with KYBs and the 19 inch wheel set up now feels like the 18 inch wheels I had on previously. They are very comfortable. The oem shock which are KYBs were wearing but not worn, no leaks, rust etc. They were still very hard to compress down when I had them out of the spring so I though I was wasting money changing them. The new tech KYBs just react MUCH faster over bumps. The car does not dive forward as much or feel floaty on the highway. I HIGHLY recommend them.
Btw I took out the front struts myself and had a shop rebuild it with new strut mounts for me.I paid $75 (friends and family prices)
If you can get someone to do the same for under $100 then I would consider that a good price. I did not have the best luck with the Spring compressor I rented. The LS460 spring is pretty long to compress down and it seemed a little dangerous.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 06:54 PM
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Originally Posted by JLAWS
There are KYB "gas a just" on Rockauto for 1/2 off close out price, I replaced my fronts with KYBs and the 19 inch wheel set up now feels like the 18 inch wheels I had on previously. They are very comfortable. The oem shock which are KYBs were wearing but not worn, no leaks, rust etc. They were still very hard to compress down when I had them out of the spring so I though I was wasting money changing them. The new tech KYBs just react MUCH faster over bumps. The car does not dive forward as much or feel floaty on the highway. I HIGHLY recommend them.
Btw I took out the front struts myself and had a shop rebuild it with new strut mounts for me.I paid $75 (friends and family prices)
If you can get someone to do the same for under $100 then I would consider that a good price. I did not have the best luck with the Spring compressor I rented. The LS460 spring is pretty long to compress down and it seemed a little dangerous.
Thank you for this heads up. My struts from Rockauto were $236.58 shipped.
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Old May 12, 2018 | 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by DarKnight
Just be aware that if you're not doing it yourself a shop will charge you an arm and a leg for the labor. When I was calling around to have my coilovers installed I got quotes between $750-900.
LOL. THAT is ridiculous. I paid that and they replaced ALL 8 control arms, shocks , end links, wheel alignment and two ball joints. AND that was in Canadian Dollars! It doesn't take 7-8 hours to replace 4 shocks.
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Old May 13, 2018 | 03:18 AM
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I recently ordered some cheap knock off quick struts for the front on ebay for 170 shipped. Yesterday I got the old one off relatively easy--first time ever doing any suspension work.
I was even snapping some pics for a potential writeup. But the new one would not line up properly and I couldn't get the bottom bolt through both sides and have the upper strut mounts lined up. Very frustrating. Tried every which way. The angle was just a bit off and I could get the bolt in only one side. Removed sway bar end link which was hard to get back in. Had a little trolley jack under the rotor and of course a coathanger that kept falling off, with the jack going up and down, but frequently everything was hanging by the brake line.

After trying to install the new one for hours I grabbed the old strut assembly and it fit right in, which at the time felt like a minor miracle. Eventually got the sway bar endlink back in and everything tightened down and back to normal. So no harm done.

Of course later on, after everythings put together, I read you can adjust the angle of the strut by mounting it in the upper mounts and turning the bottom bolt holes with a large screwdriver. But there was not a lot of clearance to do that even if I wanted to. Maybe because I only jacked up the one corner. Who knows. I am going to look into having these struts installed. Or I might just get back in there next weekend. Toyota dealership wanted 1100.00 incl parts for just fronts. What part of Canada is your shop in roadfrog?
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Old May 13, 2018 | 11:56 AM
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The LS460 OEM shocks are made by KYB.
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Old May 13, 2018 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by Benjam1n
I recently ordered some cheap knock off quick struts for the front on ebay for 170 shipped. Yesterday I got the old one off relatively easy--first time ever doing any suspension work.
I was even snapping some pics for a potential writeup. But the new one would not line up properly and I couldn't get the bottom bolt through both sides and have the upper strut mounts lined up. Very frustrating. Tried every which way. The angle was just a bit off and I could get the bolt in only one side. Removed sway bar end link which was hard to get back in. Had a little trolley jack under the rotor and of course a coathanger that kept falling off, with the jack going up and down, but frequently everything was hanging by the brake line.

After trying to install the new one for hours I grabbed the old strut assembly and it fit right in, which at the time felt like a minor miracle. Eventually got the sway bar endlink back in and everything tightened down and back to normal. So no harm done.

Of course later on, after everythings put together, I read you can adjust the angle of the strut by mounting it in the upper mounts and turning the bottom bolt holes with a large screwdriver. But there was not a lot of clearance to do that even if I wanted to. Maybe because I only jacked up the one corner. Who knows. I am going to look into having these struts installed. Or I might just get back in there next weekend. Toyota dealership wanted 1100.00 incl parts for just fronts. What part of Canada is your shop in roadfrog?
I don't remember the details because I did this install about 6 months ago but give it another go, save the $$$.
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