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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: wolf_walker on June 27, 2010, 06:40:51 pm
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Maybe I'm getting old but crap these guys are stiff.
I put boge/sachs gas units in front when I did the rehab the other month
and it was getting on about time to replace the 600K miles stockers in the rear(which
still had some rebound damping, just not much compression). I couldn't get mates to the
boge/sachs fronts from my supplier for some reason, so I figured the KYB's would be
pretty stock-ish. They are pretty firm though.
It's an interesting contrast to the fronts, think they are two sides of the cheap-damper coin.
The fronts, which are touted as OEM brand replacements but after putting them on 4 vehicles
in the last few years I have a hard time believing that. They are soft, overly so, and as such they do
pretty well at damping small road imperfections, but I bottom the front out pretty regular on this
pickup in normal driving, and have had the same experience on a Volvo with them. I think they erred on the side of soft with these.
The KYB's in contrast, are stuff all around. They handle notable bumps and potholes alright, but it's the small things they can't damp. Little undulations in the pavement, usually you can't even see them, don't produce suspension compression, the truck just moves up and down and you get a little rolling bounce. I hope they wear in some, lowering the rear tire pressure helped a bit.
Granted this is comparing struts to shocks, and heavy nose to light Caddy bed rear.
And one, possibly the most noticeable thing, is the improvement in cornering, those stiff shocks
keep the body roll down MUCH more than before. If you had told me there was suddenly a swaybar on it I'd have believed it the way it feels. Much, much improved.
$85 well spent, all in all.
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KYB Gas a Just (the white ones) are valved quite a bit stiffer than stock, and have about 200PSI Nitrogen charge.
KYB GR2 (silver gray) are more stock replacement, and have nowhere near as much gas pressure. I'd wager an unloaded Caddy doesn't overcome the gas charge.
I put some 3/4 ton truck shocks on a escort in addition to the stock struts, and the gas gave me 2" of lift. the car was a lot lighter than stock, and after the swap, you could land a 3' air, and hardly bottom.
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Wolf, which kyb's did you purchase? Did you do the bushings as well? And have you driven it loaded?
I'm about to gather parts for a rear suspension overhaul once I get the front finished up...soon hopefully...too many projects.
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They are gas-adjust, white, and despite 607K miles the bushings look serviceable and it sits level just on the springs, not sagged. Haven't done it daily or anything but as the beat up bed will attest the truck has been used during it's life, which has been mostly in my family.
They are stiff, but are breaking in some slowly. Handling improvement is darn near worth the little bounce in the rear, it's much more settled and no more pitching left/right in the middle of sweeping turns, that was getting really annoying. I have not driven it loaded yet, but I suspect it will ride pretty good. Sometime soon I'll have my metal storage box in the back again with the usual compliment of tools, a good 150lbs, that will likely help as well. I picked these because they were all my supplier had.
The only other stuff I've found period are boge/sachs that I could only find one place online(which is odd since both my supply joints are distributors but don't have em) and monroe/gabriel stuff at the McParts stores. They were all about the same price, these had free shipping, so. What the heck. I was able to compress them by hand, shock on ground pushing down, but it was tuff. Weight of the truck does compress them so it's not that they are sitting at full extension. Just takes some movement to get them damping. If they had about 3/4 of the gas pressure they'd be better.
I'll see if I get annoyed with em after awhile I guess.
Interestingly, all the Porsche track guys I deal with detest gas shocks. I wonder if it's just a Porsche thing? Not that i had an option in this case, unless VW still sells the OE one's, I'm assuming they were hyd.
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I ran KYB Gas-adjust on the rear of my pickup for years and they are a bit on the stiff side. Not bad with 1000 lbs. in the bed, but lightly loaded, they are stiff.
I recently swapped in some Bilstein's on the rear of my '82 and they are great:
- http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/RearSuspension.shtml#Shocks (http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/RearSuspension.shtml#Shocks)
(http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/Images/p1040069.jpg)
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:o straight axle short bed toyota behind the caddy! 82 or 83?
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:o straight axle short bed toyota behind the caddy! 82 or 83?
Going by his previous writings I'd say it's a 4-runner ;D.
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:o straight axle short bed toyota behind the caddy! 82 or 83?
'85 4Runner:
(http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Images/BigSluice.jpg)
- http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml (http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml)
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:o straight axle short bed toyota behind the caddy! 82 or 83?
'85 4Runner:
(http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/Images/BigSluice.jpg)
- http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml (http://www.4crawler.com/4Runner.shtml)
Nice rig, ain't that kinda hard on stuff twisting like that?
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Roger I've been admiring your caddy and page for it a lot of years now. I forgot about your shock section, should have looked through it again. The KYB's were a bit of an impulse click/buy, they will do for now I reckon.
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Nice rig, ain't that kinda hard on stuff twisting like that?
Not if you build things right, but it will point out all the weak points. That was my first run on the new front suspension (in 1998) and funny thing is just a month ago I finally had one of the front springs snap in half. I had missed one area where I should have rounded off the end a leaf above the one that broke and that sharp corner ultimately caused the metal to fatigue and break.
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Roger I've been admiring your caddy and page for it a lot of years now. I forgot about your shock section, should have looked through it again. The KYB's were a bit of an impulse click/buy, they will do for now I reckon.
I did just add the Bilstein install although I have been running them for about 2 years now. One good thing about the rear KYBs is that they do last a long time, unlike the front KYB struts, I've had those fail in a few years. Actually, before I replaced the KYBs, I had mine remounted with the top bolts farther forward/back from stock to leave the shocks at more of an angle. This softened out the damping and actually made the ride better.
UPDATE:
If anyone is interested, I do have a set of the rear KYBs plus some mounting bracket extensions I built to lay them over at more of an angle to soften the ride to a reasonable level. $25.00 for the pair w/ brackets plus shipping.
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Sorry to swap ends on your thread Wolf - but i'm about due for some Fronts soon.
egermanparts.com (worldpac) lists a KYB GR-2 for 81 Truck.
I can get those through my CarQuest/Worldpac connection for about $40 each.
Are they gas charged ?
Anyone familiar with them ?
I want stiff/firm weight haulers.
In the rear i have the HD leafs like VWCaddy's truck.
With spring assisted rear shocks.
Its plenty stiff back there.
I put boge/sachs gas units in front when I did the rehab the other month ...
The fronts, which are touted as OEM brand replacements but after putting them on 4 vehicles
in the last few years I have a hard time believing that. They are soft, overly so, and as such they do
pretty well at damping small road imperfections, but I bottom the front out pretty regular on this
pickup in normal driving...
I don't want that kind of action really.
But can get the Sachs Hydraulic for about $30 each from same source. I almost pre-bought and went that route a few months ago because they list as HD. But have found the HD was short for HYD for hydraulic - lol. Not HD as in Heavy Duty. Now glad i waited.
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In the rear i have the HD leafs like VWCaddy's truck.
With spring assisted rear shocks.
Its plenty stiff back there.
Correction, my 81 with HD leafs only has 4 leafs, VWCaddy's has 5 !
My 82 only has 3 leafs.
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I've installed GR2's in some other cars, and they are satisfactory if you like a stock ride. IMO pretty comparable to Bilstein Touring(TC), or an OE Boge.
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Corvette air shocks for 68 Vette here, axle flip
great ride
I carry a small nitrogen tank to adjust my load or I put my yahaha super jet in the back
Next a custom bedrug install
I will make a pattern for others
GB
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Sorry to swap ends on your thread Wolf - but i'm about due for some Fronts soon.
egermanparts.com (worldpac) lists a KYB GR-2 for 81 Truck.
I can get those through my CarQuest/Worldpac connection for about $40 each.
Are they gas charged ?
Anyone familiar with them ?
I want stiff/firm weight haulers.
In the rear i have the HD leafs like VWCaddy's truck.
With spring assisted rear shocks.
Its plenty stiff back there.
I put boge/sachs gas units in front when I did the rehab the other month ...
The fronts, which are touted as OEM brand replacements but after putting them on 4 vehicles
in the last few years I have a hard time believing that. They are soft, overly so, and as such they do
pretty well at damping small road imperfections, but I bottom the front out pretty regular on this
pickup in normal driving...
I don't want that kind of action really.
But can get the Sachs Hydraulic for about $30 each from same source. I almost pre-bought and went that route a few months ago because they list as HD. But have found the HD was short for HYD for hydraulic - lol. Not HD as in Heavy Duty. Now glad i waited.
I'm done with Boge till somebody proves to me they make something worth a damn. I might use them on my mother's car if that says anything.
I'd suck it up and do Billi HD's, I also see Koni FSD's are pretty decently priced, plan to run those on the rabbit whenever I get around to it.
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Having read this I'm tempted to buy a kyb set for the rear and then since I read that the kyb struts don't seem to last long enough I think I'll use bilstien for the front when I these napa ones go.
Does that sound like a good idea or would it be best to use the same brand front and rear? I don't know if they make 'em to work together or not.
Trying to save a bit.
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I'd suck it up and do Billi HD's, I also see Koni FSD's are pretty decently priced, plan to run those on the rabbit whenever I get around to it.
I know you're right - but mercy sakes - I was wanting to stay in or under the $50 each range. Think best price i found on Bils was $225 pair. Only place i've seen Koni listed was BlkForIndustries.
You gotta link to a good source/price for those Koni's ?
From what i can gather so far - the KYB GR-2 (silver) is gas - and a step up from the Boge Hyd. I can't find KYB Gas-a-just (white) for front. I'd probably be real happy with those.
I'm told Monroe Sensa-trac gas is comparable to KYB White, and can get those for $35-45 each depending whether i go online or local. I'm leaning towards the Monroes right now.
Need to decide soon.
Its gonna be a one jam session deal - new control arms with prothane, ball joints, end links, strut mounts-boots-stops, strut cartridges, and an alignment - it adds up so damm fast. Too fast !
That'll be $350+ with monroe stuff.
And need a new exhaust too. fugg
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Does that sound like a good idea or would it be best to use the same brand front and rear? I don't know if they make 'em to work together or not.
Trying to save a bit.
I know what you mean on pinching the coins.
If you can find KYB White gas-a-just for Front and Rear i think you'd be in great shape. KYB White in back, and Bils in front should be a great combo too.
But - i think you can get Bils on the rear for about the same price as rear KYB White. I'll check on that again.
Bils front and rear would be my dream, but too much other money to spend in other areas. And other cars want some new stuff too ...
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But - i think you can get Bils on the rear for about the same price as rear KYB White. I'll check on that again.
error - the $60 rears weren't Yellow Bils - they are Black Bils (touring) - and for Rabbit car. { ngpracing.com }
error - it wasn't BFI where i was scoping Koni's - it was NGP Racing.
The KYB White rears are usually $55-65 each.
Wolf got a nice deal on his pair for $85.
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i too have ahd a tough time finding KYB Whites for the front (Jetta) and need to figure something out as well..
Canadian Tire stocks monroe's if they are similar? I will check them out for all four corners.
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The best I've found for bilstein hd rears is like $96 each, so if I can get kyb gas-a-just for 60 each I'd be happy.........have I mentioned that I'll never get boge again?haha :P
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Sensa-Trac is supposed to be their 3rd level upper tier.
Monroe-matic (hydra)
Gas-matic
Sensa-Trac
I'm probably gonna pull the trigger soon and go Monroe, and call it done.
They have the mounts, nice boots and bumpstops, all available in the Monroe line. If something stinks - it would all be one brand to call and complain without getting fingers pointing somewhere else. Limited lifetime warranty.
I'm not gonna ride on the Boge/Sachs train either Rabbitman.
I trust ya'lls evaluations.
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I had brand new sachs slamming of the bump stops in under a year... and I did not do any rough driving to damage them either.. Pathetic. just plain pathetic.
Monroe it is BVZ. I will be checking out their line in the near future ;)
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My right front has gone from bad to worse to totally dead.
A chip in the pavement crashes it to the bumpstop now.
It won't be safe hauling a load back from way up yonder.
Evidently, KYB doesn't offer the White gas-a-just for the front of Mk1. Looked everydamwhere online. Seems strange to me too.
Did find them as low as $42 each for the rear of Trucks along the way. Several offered them in the $45'ish range.
Those were good prices compared to 55-65 each.
I'm going forward with the Monroe Sensa-Trac and all the other stuffs from Monroe for the front.
Will be here tomorrow. Install Friday.
I'll be the guinea pig/lab rat and give feedback.
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Well thousands of other vehicles use Monroe, especially in Canada. I believe it is what our Midas, Meineke, Canadian Tire, and possibly even Walmart use as their suspension line-up
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If you need 'em now, you need 'em now, but it pays to look out for rebates from Monroe. I got a whole set of Sensa Traks last year for about $20 after an $80 rebate. I really can't say how well they work yet. I bought them for the Cabrio, which is still sitting. I did grab one of the fronts and stick it on the Pickup when one of them failed last Summer ( and it's still there by itself with a Boge on the other corner.....you can imagine my priorities) . I really need to put it's mate on there as the strut mount is rattling....
Yeah, struts are a major investment because its x4. It had been worse before I finally scored a decent strut compressor so I can do my own work.
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I have been looking around, and it appears the sensa-tracs are Monroe's highest level of strut/shock with Monroe-matic as their lowest, as you said BVZ. Not bad at all!
MONROE SENSA-TRAC STRUT ASSEMBLY, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- This twin-tube gas-charged strut assembly combines position sensitive damping and Monroe's Safe Tech system to enhance control and ride safety without compromising ride comfort; Precision tapered grooves in the pressure tube provide a smooth and comfortable ride by allowing fluid to flow through and around the piston, whereas a Fluon-banded piston and application-engineered rod displaced valving provide extra vehicle control once the piston travels beyond the grooves; Other features include all weather fluid for reduced friction and smooth rod reaction, a hardened and chrome-plated piston rod, as well as a unique rod guide and single lip seal for longer service life and consistent performance; Monroe Strut-Mate Boot Kit with jounce bumper sold separately; With Monroe's limited lifetime warranty.
I am be liking what I am be seeing. Monroe seems to be a good choice! Suspension is a huge investment, especially for me, when I have to buy springs too :(
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I've always bought Monroe for my cars and been a happy camper.
My Grd Chkee got spoiled with adjustable Rancho, though.
Because i caught an eBay deal on them NIB.
I couldn't ever find out whether these Sensa-Tracs were monotube or twintube. But i figured they were twin. All the write ups were identical to 8V's, except for the twin tube designation.
I wanted/wished for monotube like the KYB White and Bils HD.
But i'm feeling like the Sensa-Trac is going to be better than anyone else's twintube offering, and same/less money. HD Bils are not in the budget, and KYB has let me down.
8V, in case it matters, the springs only control the ride height.
If your ride height is acceptable, you can bypass buying them. $pring$ are a chunk of money.
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This reminds me of a pair of Gabriel front strut inserts I bought for this caddy almost 10 years ago at Pep Boys. They rebuilt the struts and I installed them. I tried them- they were like solid- something was wrong in the valving. I took them off- they rebuilt them again. I installed them. Same thing. We tried it again ( I think) still way too hard. Eventually I bought a pair of Boges and Pep Boys rebuilt them again for the 3rd or 4th time. What an ordeal....
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Never been a fan of Gabriels either.
lol
My bias along with info from this thread sure did slim down the prospects. Hopefully by this time tomorrow i'll have a good report to relay on the Sensa-Tracs.
I'm going to use the 2 tips from VW Caddy's site about adjusting the bearing spacer, and backfilling the dead air space between the cartridge and housing with ATF.
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HD Bils are not in the budget, and KYB has let me down.
Can you explain how KYB let you down?
I'm going to use the 2 tips from VW Caddy's site about adjusting the bearing spacer, and backfilling the dead air space between the cartridge and housing with ATF.
Could you post a link? I've searched his site but didn't find anything about that. Thanks
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We cannot locate a KYB Gas-a-just (white) strut for the front of the mk1's. Which is depressing as I want some ;p
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Brother put some KYB (Grey) on the front of his 84 Jetta, and they seem to be holding out fairly well. However I want to do 1up on stockies. I was looking at some Tokico's
TOKICO ILLUMINA SERIES STRUT ASSEMBLY, SOLD INDIVIDUALLY -- 5-way adjustability; No boot included; Gas-charged, twin-tube, adjustable strut assembly; Allows changes to balance, overall handling, or ride quality for a variety of driving environments through simultaneous rebound and compression damping adjustments; Features sophisticated multi-stage, variable-aperture piston and valve system combined with a 5-position bypass shutter valve; With Tokico's limited lifetime warranty.
(http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/images/product_images/images/tokico/TOK-ill-strut.jpg)
Those struts look like they mean business, I think I would like 5 way customization! However it is still a twin tube gas charged design.. does this mean even with the adjustability and the price.. they still are not as good as White KYB'S?
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Can you explain how KYB let you down?
Could you post a link? I've searched his site but didn't find anything about that. Thanks
Yeh, like 8V said, the letdown is that they aren't offering White KYB's for front of Mk1.
Here is the link for the strut tweaking:
http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/index.shtml#StrutBearing (http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/index.shtml#StrutBearing)
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not as good as White KYB'S?
I wouldn't say not as good - necessarily.
The big deal with KYB White is the firmness of the damping from being a larger single tube - more roll control when weighted than twin tube.
Since my truck will be a weight hauler a lot of times, i need all of that i could get/afford. My back end is way stiff/tight already. Would have been good to match that as much as possible with a single piston'er up front.
In a car - or a truck/car its not going to be as much of an issue - if any at all.
Without a bunch of extra loaded weight - the adjustable feature could probably simulate what you'd have with a single piston'er.
How much are those Tokico's ?
"Some" of the adjustable ones are not externally adjustable.
"Some" have to be removed to make adjustments.
Check into that too.
Gas charged is a step up over stock.
It sounds like Sensa-Trac has a lil step up over KYB GR2 grey gas.
But thats on paper.
These tokico's would be like an adjustable sensa-trac, and with a new housing, if you want white housings, or need/want new housings from corrosion damages.
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The Tokico's are externally adjustable with a screwdriver.. ;) not bad for $144.
I have found prices on the sensa-tracs locally. $105 up front, $44 for the rear. Not bad really when you consider even $105 for a respectible new front strut... I think my moms F-150 requires $110 to buy one new front rotor :o
NEver heard of the oil back-filling, doubt the guy did that when he installed my sachs.. prob why they were done in under a year. Also that bearing trick looks legit, and a good thing to try out.
Have you ever heard of people filling the mounts (between the metal and the rubber) with silicone? I'll see if I can't find a link.
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So you must be pricing complete struts.
Sensa-trac cartridges are 35-45 each.
The first strut cartridge job i ever did was in the early 80's, on a 75 Rabbit my mom bought.
The instructions listed to put X amount of oil into the housings.
I have not ever done another set since then. But will do set #2 this afternoon/evening.
BlastIt just improvised early early Mk1 (mid 70's) strut mounts (prothane) between his struts/strut mounts. That was an interesting surprise to me.
I've never heard about the silicone treatment.
BlastIt must have accomplished that x10 using the prothane.
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Complete struts? Nope that's for one little ol' cartridge... I live in Canada remember ;) Pricey stuff up here. Found a better price on the sensa-tracs though. Lowest locally is $80.25 a cartridge.
Anyone ever try Ac Delco on their Vw? The ones I can get come with a lifetime warranty, but are a pricey $134 a strut.
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If you really wanna break down and cry, go to RockAuto.com and check the prices on shocks/struts/etc... for your car.
Idunno what is involved with stuff shipping into Canada as far as swerving around import duties. But if can be of any help ....
I got front struts, mounts, boot/bump kits - both sides - shipped to door - $145
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Those prices are dirt cheap, and with current conversion.. still cheaper then Canadian.. What I find messed up.. is how do places up here sell the same part as down there.. for nearly three times the price.. it all comes from the same manufacturer.. why the price hike? I think I will be ordering from Rock Auto.. thanks BVZ
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The new Monroe Sensa-Tracs are excellent on the front of my 81 Truck under all conditions. Unloaded, loaded, and recently overloaded conditions. Can Highly recommend them, along with their matching boot/bumpstop kit.
These things just underwent some rigorous testing in their first week of service.
I'm very satisfied.
The matching rears would be nice combo if the back half of your car/truck is naked. Mine has a humongous campershell. And some vintage spring assisted rear shocks. On this particular application, i'd probly go KYB gasajust if ever have to replace rear shocks, and couldn't find another pair of spring assisted.
From other posts compared, the Monroe Sensa-Trac seems to be a good step up from Sachs, Boge, and KYB GR-2 Silvergrey.
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Just bought a set of KYB whites for $120 shipped :o. The part # is KG9105.
I'll do a report when I install 'em but it'll probably be a little while.
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i put some KYB GR-2s on my gti recently. and they are stiff. i dont bottom out period now. no rubbage at all..
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the GR-2's are an OEM replacement strut. They will surely last longer than say, a sachs.. but they will fade in a few years, if that.
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the GR-2's are an OEM replacement strut. They will surely last longer than say, a sachs.. but they will fade in a few years, if that.
Just being OEM doesn't always mean they'll last like OEM.........
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KYB name doesn't mean its gonna last. Its still a gas strut, and we drive these cars hard :P
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the GR-2's are an OEM replacement strut. They will surely last longer than say, a sachs.. but they will fade in a few years, if that.
Just being OEM doesn't always mean they'll last like OEM.........
yea, my OEM shocks/struts were blown out within weeks of me owning my rabbit. they dont take much to blow the valving out of them.
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Whelp, 7K miles and I can't stand it anymore, got a promotional deal on a pair of Sensa-Trac's for $60 shipped or so, will do them for a bit.
I'll miss the free decrease in body roll, but I drove an hour on the interstate the other week and my back hurt afterwords. That is a first in many, many hundreds of thousands of miles in my truckie. Heck with that!
So lightly used white KYB rears for sale. They were good with some weight in back.
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Price shipped to 94086? Thanks!
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Price shipped to 94086? Thanks!
$50 I guess, bare in mind it'll be early next week before they are off my truck.
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Paypal work for you? I'm in no hurry at all, just beginning to collect parts for a rear suspension overhaul. PM me the details?
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Yup, I'll PM you.
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When I still ran the KYBs in back, I made a bolt-in bracket to move the upper end of the shock farther from the axle, tipping the shocks more and lessening their stiffness:
(http://www.4crawler.com/Diesel/CheapTricks/Images/rear-springs04.jpg)
Made a noticeable difference in the ride, no longer did the rear end bounce/porpoise over uneven pavement slabs on the highway.
I do have those brackets and the pair of KYBs if anyone is looking for a setup.
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Well I got my Monroe's in, not impressed. They are really, really, really soft. Like compress them with one hand pushing down toward the ground soft. And on top of that, the damn bolt eye's are not welded on straight, will probly work but it's sad QC.
Roger, how much for the brackets to move the KYB's?
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If you mail off the brackets I can p/u the shocks, I'm right up the street!
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Well I got my Monroe's in, not impressed. They are really, really, really soft. Like compress them with one hand pushing down toward the ground soft.
Soft? What are you comparing them too?
Any strut/shock I have had in my hands I have been able to compress without to much effort (like it should be). You pushing with your arm cannot simulate enough actual weight on the strut to go down fast enough anyway.. Unless you could, you may have been shipped bad struts.. (or shocks if you only did the rear). Please explain further on your bad experience.
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The KYB's take both my hands, pushing down with the shock on the ground, and pushing hard to compress them. The Monroe's I can rather casually just compress in the same position. I realize this is largely gas pressure talking, but I've compressed enough dampers that I can still feel the lack of compression damping. They feel just like the one good original that had 600K miles on it, for what that's worth.
They are likely fine for generic use, but they are soft.
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Are you sure you didn't order or get shipped Monroe-Matic's? Their Touring line?
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MonroeSensa-Trac Light Truck Shock Absorber
Part No 37200
box says same, think the 37200 is on the shock but will have to check and see.
Might be worth mentioning I handle Koni's and Bil's at work all the time, my squish-o-meter might be skewed a bit.
But they are soft, way softer than Boge gas shocks I put on the back of a Volvo 740 wagon not long ago for instance.
I'll try em anyway, they aren't too hard to install at least.
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The KYB's take both my hands, pushing down with the shock on the ground, and pushing hard to compress them. The Monroe's I can rather casually just compress in the same position. I realize this is largely gas pressure talking, but I've compressed enough dampers that I can still feel the lack of compression damping. They feel just like the one good original that had 600K miles on it, for what that's worth.
They are likely fine for generic use, but they are soft.
this is what im used to also.. the kyb's i put on my gti, i thought they were bad at first, because they barely compressed with me pushing HARD on them..
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Still haven't tried em, been cold here and I been busy/lazy. Too many old cars.
Maybe this weekend.
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Roger, how much for the brackets to move the KYB's?
Would like to get $20.00 + shipping for the pair of brackets. You do need to drill two small holes up through the bed floor to put in carriage bolts to hold the end of the bracket up, the other end bolts into the stock shock mounting holes.
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Paypal work for you? I'm in no hurry at all, just beginning to collect parts for a rear suspension overhaul. PM me the details?
Well I finally put them on, is about like I figured, rides better, handles softer. I think for a daily driver they'll work.
I'm still annoyed the monroe's are so shoddily put together on the bolt eye's, hopefully they'll last awhile.
Had the original's on there till right at 599K, they were about shot. I'll give it a week or so and will PM you bout the KYB's if you still want em.
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So time is a wheel.
Year or so and 3000 miles west and with an 82 instead of my ole 81 Caddy, I bought another pair of KYB Gas-A-Just rear shocks.
I couldn't find anything else that I wasn't pretty sure would suck, affordable anyway. Still $82 shipped.
The Monroe I put on the 81 after the stiff KYB's were true to form and one was shot in 20K miles, compression gone.
Junk.
On another note, these current KYB's are now silver/gray instead of white, and are not made nearly as nice externally as the old white one's were, cheap looking welds.
Also despite the box and the shock itself having "Made In Japan" I note the little "Pc" logo I've come to associate with our good friends in China. FWIW.
They are still stiff as hell.
I'm going to buy Roger's lay-over brackets or make some this time to see if they will be more livable.
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The GR2 line are painted silver, and have a softer OE style stiffness., but I think they have recolored the gas a just line as well now.
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Yeah looks that way. It's the same old song and dance, obviously cheaper production sold at the same price.
I hope they are still decent internally, only time will tell though. I don't think a Caddy is overly hard on rear shocks
being the stock rears last so long and perform tolerably even when pretty much worn out.