KYB Struts

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All,

Let me preface this post by stating that I've tried googling KYB Vs. Monroe (and other strut manufacturers) but have mostly come back with results that are three or more years old.

I just replaced my 2005 Toyota Solara struts with Monroe OESpecturm Struts on all four corners to inclue the strut mounts. While I am happy with them, I am doubting my decision to go with Monroe instead of KYBs...which seem to have a better "reputation" than Monroes.

So my question to y'all is what do you all think/know about the KYB Vs. "others"? I would like to hear from those of you who have experience with KYBs...how did the feel, how long did they last, would you use them again, etc...

I did the work myself, so ordering KYBs and installing them again is no big deal for me.

Thanks in advance.
 
Unless you can find Sachs (OE for US made Toy cars such as Camry, Solara, etc.) at a reasonable price, or Japanese made Tokicos, otherwise: I'd go with Monroe OESpectrum at any given day over KYBs, citing that most US made KYBs (NA made Honda cars OEM shock/strut supplier) lives a very short life and quality has been generally inconsistent or poor (IMO).

While I'm typically not brand-loyal when it comes to struts/shocks, KYB has been a disappointment for me during the past 10 yrs...I had rather frequent replacements (short lived) of KYB struts during my past 20+yrs of aftermarket strut replacements, etc. once for Monroe, none for Tokicos.

Just to give you a hint: I've replaced my wifey's 04 camry's factory struts with Monroe OESpectrums (all 4) around 132k, and it now @ 172K and still living a strong, if not consistent service life.

If you have no ride quality issues with your current Monroe OESpectrum struts, I suggest you to stay on with them until they go bad. No need to waste extra mullah on KYBs just because you think they are better (which in my experience they are mostly inferior as aftermarket replacements).

Q.
 
KYB is the OE supplier for Lexus/Toyota struts. They live a long life in my experience. However, their aftermarket struts are stiffer than what originally came on the car.
 
Originally Posted By: hypervish
However, their aftermarket struts are stiffer than what originally came on the car.


That's an intentional design characteristic.
 
We stopped ordering and installing KYB shocks and struts because of ride quality complaints.

For my personal vehicle I would install Tokico or Monroe.

Maybe even Gabriel.
 
I just picked up a pair of Monroes for my Cobalt SS; the KYBs I have on it now did not last long at all.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: hypervish
However, their aftermarket struts are stiffer than what originally came on the car.


That's an intentional design characteristic.



Yeah, they do that to compensate for worn suspension components.

I rather they not do that.
 
I have the lowest form on Monroe's on my 1995 Escort (econo-matic). They lasted 100K miles before one of them leaked. They were also made in USA. I have no idea if they still are, but I will be using these again if they are still made in USA, and consider 100K miles for a cheap strut good.
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Vato,

Are you seeking a particular ride characteristic (that's seemingly missing with the Monroe's)?



Ramblejam,

I'm looking for a solid, but comfortable ride. I don't want a spine twisting hard suspension at all...just looking for a solid, comfortable, and long lasting ride. I do like how the Monroes feel, but I was wondering if I could do better. I probably could if I pony up a whole lot more money for Bilsteins or other imported struts, but I am happy with the Monroes. Just wondering if the grass is greeener...know what I mean?

From all the replies, it seems that staying with the Monroes is the way to go.

And yes, they are still made in the USA.
 
Well at least you got that rebate!

KYB doesn't make quick struts for my 96, which is why I didn't use them, even though they made the OE struts. So I went with Gabriel.

Newer OE Camry struts are Gabriel. Both Gabriel and KYB are better than Monroe.

If you're happy with your Monroes, why do you want to replace them? How many miles on the Monroes, and at what mileage did you install them?
 
Originally Posted By: El_Vato
know what I mean?


Yes sir, I do.

Solid, yet comfortable -- have you ever given any consideration to the Sachs Supertouring line?
 
Originally Posted By: Ramblejam
Originally Posted By: hypervish
However, their aftermarket struts are stiffer than what originally came on the car.


That's an intentional design characteristic.



This no longer seems to be true, based on the last two sets of KYB Excel-G struts that I installed. The ride is borderline soft.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
This no longer seems to be true, based on the last two sets of KYB Excel-G struts that I installed. The ride is borderline soft.


Hmm...just installed a set of Excel-G's myself, and they're certainly stiffer than OEM -- maybe they're deviating from the prior norm on a model-by-model basis? Regardless, thanks for letting me know.
 
Tommygun - Yes, I did send in the rebate...not a bad deal, especially after getting all the struts at 30% off from Advance Auto. I installed them about two weeks ago and have about 250 miles on them, esentially brand new. Currently my car is just shy of 90K miles.

Ramblejam - I'll look into the Sachs struts and see how much they are.

I should also note that I replaced my wife's Sequoia's shocks as well, Monroes in the front and KYBs in the rear (Monroes for the rear would not fit...the protruding stud was not long enough to place the nut with both bushings and retainers.)
 
Although it's too early to tell(Jul-Aug'13), we installed KYB strut/spring assemblys(Strut Plus) on the front of my daughters '06 Mazda 3i and Monroe OE Spectrum Shocks on the rear. The ride is fine at all 4 corners...No differences in ride that we can tell other than the extra stability that we can feel.

I have always used Monroe shocks/struts for our vehicles without any issues and they've always lasted a long time. This is our first experience using KYB(IIRC they're the GR-2 Series ?).

Years ago dad used Gabriel with good success but, that was a long time ago and we haven't used Gabriel since the 70's.
 
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Personaly, I think you made the right choice for your vehicle by using Monroe but, had you gone with the KYB, that'd be OK TOO!
smile.gif
 
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From what I gather, the Monroe lifetime warranty (to include wear out) will come in handy when these struts start going soft....while the KYB warranty does not cover wear out (approx. 50K miles).

Anyone used the Monroe lifetime warranty to replace Monroes once they've worn out? Was it a big hassle?
 
Originally Posted By: El_Vato
Anyone used the Monroe lifetime warranty to replace Monroes once they've worn out?


My worn out Econo-matics don't have a warranty like that! You have to buy the more expensive ones to get Monroe's warranty. That and of course, Advance Auto's "lifetime warranty" is completely worthless as well, even when you save the receipt.
 
I haven't used their struts but I put KYB "Gas-A-Just" shocks on the front of a Fiero. No, they're not adjustable, I don't know why they named them like that.
They were made in Japan. My complaint with them is that they lift the car. They don't rest - they always want to extend. I don't believe a shock absorber should do that, that's the springs' job. A shock should only resist movement.
I also wasn't happy with the mounting. The original shocks had a bolt sized opening that you put the bolts through. The KYB's have an open fork going past the bolts, it's not closed into a loop. It's probably due to being a generic fit.

Supposedly they're stiffer than stock, and that's probably true. They did feel a bit stiffer over bumps than my old ones did, but the old ones were old, so that's not really proving anything. On this car, the KYBs have the reputation of being stiffer than Monroes, but I don't know if that's always true for other cars.

From comments I've read, at least for this particular car, the KYB "GR-2" struts are on the softer side. People who have "Gas-A-Just" shocks in front and "GR-2" struts in the rear of this model of car typically report that the front feels more solid than the rear does.

For any car, there will be variations of struts that the manufacturer used depending on options. So an aftermarket replacement that feels same as stock on one car, might be stiffer or softer than what was original on someone else's.
 
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