Are KYB struts dependable?

[Cristobal]

My 1996 Avalon will eventually need a strut job. My mechanic says that $1100.00 will be the cost installed for all four wheels. I know KYB has been accused of price fixing in the past, but what is their reputation for quality?

The old ones have gone about 140,000 miles.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

KYB makes good shocks. They're the largest shock manufacturer in the world, and OEM to most Japanese cars, including your Avalon.

However, for a more affordable alternative, I'd suggest Gabriel Readymount quick struts. They include the whole assembly (springs, strut mounts, etc) and are MUCH easier to install. Plus, there is a rebate promotion through the end of October buy 3 get one free after rebate.

If none are listed for your Avalon, just look up the Camry of the same year

 

[Bottom_Feeder]

KYB's are arguably the best standard-grade replacement struts you can buy before stepping up to something like Bilsteins or Konis or whatever.

 

[DeepFriar]

Gabriel Readymounts for your Avalon are listed at $144 each on Amazon (I was already there for other parts). Free shipping on Prime if you have it.

 

[BigD1]

Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
However, for a more affordable alternative, I'd suggest Gabriel Readymount quick struts. They include the whole assembly (springs, strut mounts, etc) and are MUCH easier to install. Plus, there is a rebate promotion through the end of October buy 3 get one free after rebate.


I installed two of those earlier this year on the rear of my car, and they are working good. Easy installation since the strut is already put together.

For what it's worth, I am a member over at the W-body forums, and every time this same topic comes up, the KYB's are the best, but a lot of people think that they are just too firm. Firm is good for a sport ride, but I like the soft ride, so Gabriel was a better choice for me.

 

[The_Jeff]

I got KYBs for my saturn and put another 7 or 8 years on them. They rusted somewhat faster/ uglier than the OE struts, but still worked fine and didn't fail.

I can't judge ride quality because the car was firm to begin with. It held the road fine.

 

[PeterGreen]

My experience with KYBs is that they definitely do not last as long as premium brand shocks such as Bilsteins or Konis. Had a set on my Ford Bronco about 15 years ago. They did not last long, even just in highway driving.

 

[The Critic]

They're junk for discerning drivers - especially the Excel-G ones.

When they are the OE supplier, the OE parts (that are supplied by KYB) tend to wear pretty well and last a decent amount of time. Their black Excel-G ones are not well tuned for most of the applications that I've installed them on (and I've installed 5-10 sets this past year).

They tend to be "mushy" from a response standpoint. Or too firm. Obviously an aftermarket line cannot receive the same development dollars than an OE line, but when you're charging 70-80% of what the OE part is -- I'm expecting better.

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
I got KYBs for my saturn and put another 7 or 8 years on them. They rusted somewhat faster/ uglier than the OE struts, but still worked fine and didn't fail.

I can't judge ride quality because the car was firm to begin with. It held the road fine.


I agree with the above. But i will add that they ride much firmer on a saturn. I have an 02 with factory struts, and an 01 with kyb. The 02 rides much better. I'm going to try monroes on it when it needs them.

 

[tom slick]

I installed KYB struts on my Mazda over 100k miles ago and have no complaints.

 

[anndel]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
My 1996 Avalon will eventually need a strut job. My mechanic says that $1100.00 will be the cost installed for all four wheels. I know KYB has been accused of price fixing in the past, but what is their reputation for quality?

The old ones have gone about 140,000 miles.


Had KYB's in my 1993 Toyota Hilux 4x4 but they only lasted 4 years then leaked. Prior to that were 19 year old Rancho 5000s which leaked and were replaced with the KYBs. I replaced the KYBs with Bilsteins. I also installed a KYB steering stabilizer (damper) and after 3 months it leaked so I'm going back with the OEM Toyota stabilizer. My 2014 Tacoma came with Bilsteins.

 

[Wolf359]

Do you still have the receipt or kept an electronic copy? I believe KYB also does a lifetime warranty so if you bought them before, the 2nd set will be free. Struts typically last 50-70k but sometimes more. If you got 140k out of a set, that's pretty good. How many miles did you have on them? I usually just get Monroe Quickstruts, but I think KYB is supposed to be better. Usually most brands all have lifetime warranties. You can also shop around for the price of installing them, I think I've paid anywhere from $100-$150 to install a pair of them. On my car, so much of the front end comes apart when doing struts that you might want to check out other parts of the front end like inner/outer tie rods, brakes, wheel bearings, ball joints, sway bar endlinks, cv joints, etc as it's not too much more to do them as you have to take half the front end apart.

 

[MikeHigg]

About 2 months ago I got 4 of them on the Crown Vic Police Interceptor. They have a slightly better ride than the OEM shocks but handle as good. I didn't get the least expensive but the next step up, they're just a tad pricey but I think a bit better than equivalent Monroe or Gabriel. That just an opinion anyway. I also got 4 new Michelin about the same time and boy are they softer riding than the hard-*as Goodyear police tire (which did really handle great, everything is a tradeoff I guess).

 

[pcoxe]

I've had good experiences overall with KYB shocks on several different vehicles. I've had several failures with Bilsteins which I replaced with KYB.

 

[nwjones18]

I've had all good experiences with KYB's. I've used the Gas-a-just and the GR2's and I've been happy with all of them. Check out amazon they are typically cheapest.

 

[krismoriah72]

I just did 4 sensen struts on a toyota camry. $175 for the struts and took me about 3 hrs. I would get another estimate for sure for $1000 you can get just about anything u want and also do new tires and brakes while they are off..