After owning these for a few weeks and having to warranty the driver front assembly 3 times, I finally give up. It’s not fair that I nor anyone should have to pay over $500 for 4 new struts just for them to make noise and also for us having to spend our precious time installing and removing them numerous times because of faulty/low grade parts that were used to initially build them at the factory level.
Out of curiosity, I ended up taking apart the driver’s front strut top mount on the KYB Strut Plus assembly. I discovered that the chintzy bearing was pretty much seized. It literally looked so cheap to the point where I wasn’t surprised at all at the problems I was having with these units. I put it back together and sent them back to RA (awaiting for refund atm).
I have a 2000 Camry and these are not great for my application. But I would still steer away from these or at least right now because the current production on them are garbage. I discovered over at the CRV forums that those owners LOATHE these assemblies because they cause so many issues like the ones I’m having. I don’t think KYB even cares that they’re doing this to people since they throw a rebate your way possibly in hopes that you turn a blind eye at the issues.
I took advantage of Toyota’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday 25% off sale on all parts (thanks slacktide_bitog for the heads up!) and bought all new Toyota struts. I even went to the junkyard and found a low mile V6 Camry like mine that had all original shocks and springs and removed them and brought them home since I needed all of the OEM parts from the assemblies (top mount plates and such). The PO of my car had some real low quality quick struts and I also found out that they left out some hardware too.. I know myself and I knew that this wasn’t going to slide under my ownership.. I’m all OEM or OEM Manufacturer loyal when it comes to purchasing parts for my vehicles.
In the end I’m paying out the wazoo for an older Camry but this is just in my nature. I won’t settle for less nor treat any of my vehicles in any other manner. If I own it, I keep it as pristine as possible and do everything I can to recapture that original drive and feel of these cars from when they were new from factory.
Thanks for reading my somewhat long suspension saga lol
Out of curiosity, I ended up taking apart the driver’s front strut top mount on the KYB Strut Plus assembly. I discovered that the chintzy bearing was pretty much seized. It literally looked so cheap to the point where I wasn’t surprised at all at the problems I was having with these units. I put it back together and sent them back to RA (awaiting for refund atm).
I have a 2000 Camry and these are not great for my application. But I would still steer away from these or at least right now because the current production on them are garbage. I discovered over at the CRV forums that those owners LOATHE these assemblies because they cause so many issues like the ones I’m having. I don’t think KYB even cares that they’re doing this to people since they throw a rebate your way possibly in hopes that you turn a blind eye at the issues.
I took advantage of Toyota’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday 25% off sale on all parts (thanks slacktide_bitog for the heads up!) and bought all new Toyota struts. I even went to the junkyard and found a low mile V6 Camry like mine that had all original shocks and springs and removed them and brought them home since I needed all of the OEM parts from the assemblies (top mount plates and such). The PO of my car had some real low quality quick struts and I also found out that they left out some hardware too.. I know myself and I knew that this wasn’t going to slide under my ownership.. I’m all OEM or OEM Manufacturer loyal when it comes to purchasing parts for my vehicles.
In the end I’m paying out the wazoo for an older Camry but this is just in my nature. I won’t settle for less nor treat any of my vehicles in any other manner. If I own it, I keep it as pristine as possible and do everything I can to recapture that original drive and feel of these cars from when they were new from factory.
Thanks for reading my somewhat long suspension saga lol
