KYB GR2 strut lasted 2000 miles

[SnowBird]

90 AWD

I needed struts and springs and tires on this project I picked up, so I went cheap to get it on the road.

I bought KYB GR2 struts and Megan lowering springs. I did get the DME rear camber kit. A few days ago I saw a bunch of fluid under my pass. rear tire, which led me to believe it was the brake line leaking. Well I checked it out today and it was the rear strut leaking oil. Damn thing lasted 2000 miles, and I live in FL where everything is flat with no potholes.

 

[Ludachris]

It doesn't matter that there aren't any potholes on your roads. When you lower your car with lowering springs the KYB's (and stock struts) will almost always wear out or fail much sooner than if you had the car at stock ride height. Those struts are not made to endure a lowered car. The only struts available for our cars that can handle a lowered car (still no more than about 2" or so) and still last long are the Konis, simply because they have shorter travel. Otherwise, you can go with a full coilover.

I'm pretty sure this is mentioned in the suspension FAQ somewhere, and if it isn't it should be. It should be common knowledge.

 

[SnowBird]

It doesn't matter that there aren't any potholes on your roads. When you lower your car with lowering springs the KYB's (and stock struts) will almost always wear out or fail much sooner than if you had the car at stock ride height. Those struts are not made to endure a lowered car. The only struts available for our cars that can handle a lowered car (still no more than about 2" or so) and still last long are the Konis, simply because they have shorter travel. Otherwise, you can go with a full coilover.

I'm pretty sure this is mentioned in the suspension FAQ somewhere, and if it isn't it should be. It should be common knowledge.

Understood. I just had to go cheap due to realizing I needed them was the project was on the road. I thought I could get at least a year out of them, seeing I had the same struts w/2"lowering springs on a 94 altima and they lasted 3 years before I sold the car and the alitima weighs a good amount more than the talon. Konis, thanks for the info though Ill have to get some now.

 

[NeMiZiS]

When you use an OEM replacement Shock or strut, with after market lowering springs. You are beating the heck out of those shocks. I currently am running GR-2's as well. The roads here are terrible! But I've had them on since last summer with out any problems. I am running them with OEM springs though.

 

[Ludachris]

Understood. I just had to go cheap due to realizing I needed them was the project was on the road. I thought I could get at least a year out of them, seeing I had the same struts w/2"lowering springs on a 94 altima and they lasted 3 years before I sold the car and the alitima weighs a good amount more than the talon. Konis, thanks for the info though Ill have to get some now.

I had two sets of KYBs fail on me... one set lasted 3 years, the other lasted 1. You never know what you're going to get. When you run them on lowered DSMs they will almost always wear out prematurely. KYB is a cheap replacement, you shouldn't expect much from it.

 

[NeMiZiS]

Don't DSM's come stock with KYB's? I was under the impression that KYB is factory equipment.

You can all ways try to get a warranty replacement.
KYB America LLC
140 N. Mitchell Court
Addison, IL 60101
Ph: (630) 620-5555

I heard that KYB's have a lifetime warranty!

 

[JayRolla]

Yes they do come stock with kyb's if I remember right. The only springs I know kyb's dont fail on are the eiback prokit. Ive been running them for over a year and still are stiff like new. Anything below a 1.5" drop will cause them to blow out. I researched a lot when choosing springs and struts since I was on a budget.

 

[lowandsleekDSM]

I have gr2s on my car and they are def. getting beat up on my car because i have 2inch drop on my car with Dropzone springs. Now with that combo with the gr2s and the dropzone springs, my ride isnt that bad actually even though i can barely get my foot underneath my front bumper but i just pay attention to the road a little more looking for potholes and bumps. But trust me ive been through a set of gr2s in the front alone but i havent had a problem yet. I see why you went cheap, the gr2s are a cheap set and i can change one out in about 20 minutes (thank god for air tools). My next set up is def. going to be true coilovers.

 

[GSX93DSM]

I plan on running the KYB AGX's and Eibach springs;hopefully they will be ok.

 

[SnowBird]

Thanks for the input guys. Since money is still tight and will be for awhile Im just going to buy rear koni yellows and run my current springs. Its still gonna cost me $300, unless anyone knows where to get them cheaper for just a rear set. I couldnt find any on ebay.

 

[Ludachris]

I plan on running the KYB AGX's and Eibach springs;hopefully they will be ok.

That combo lasted me about a year before the front end was floating like a boat. I was using the Prokit springs, which only lower the car 1.2" supposedly. Not everyone has that luck, but it's a risk you take using cheap shocks. I always recommend to everyone to spend a little extra money and get the Konis, you'll save yourself more time and money in the long run. The cheaper you are with DSMs, the more money you tend to waste.

 

[Ludachris]

Thanks for the input guys. Since money is still tight and will be for awhile Im just going to buy rear koni yellows and run my current springs. Its still gonna cost me $300, unless anyone knows where to get them cheaper for just a rear set. I couldnt find any on ebay.

Buy the fronts for now - I'm pretty sure you can get them from ExtremePSI at a good price. I ran AGX rears for a while until I could afford the Koni rears. It's the fronts that kept failing prematurely for me.

 

[JayRolla]

Wow the agx's died that fast with the prokit? Mine have been going for awhile now.

Post 4000!!! WOOT!!

 

[SnowBird]

Buy the fronts for now - I'm pretty sure you can get them from ExtremePSI at a good price. I ran AGX rears for a while until I could afford the Koni rears. It's the fronts that kept failing prematurely for me.

Im going konis in the rear for now with my megan springs, its my rear that blew, the front is fine for now.

 

[blcktalipse]

i had gr2s as well and my car was real low and they worked fine for me but they are a cheap oem replacement

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[Ludachris]

They will work.... until they don't.

 

[leighvi424]

/\ like. Tuners really needs a like button