Shock replacement?

stilson

stilson

Forum Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2011
Messages
1,790
Location
Sunny Balga WA
There's no way I'd put KYBs in, what are the alternatives?

I can find plenty of urgrades for wrx but nothing for the unloved Foz.
Is the wrx just a shorter strut or is the stroke shorter too?
 
What's wrong with KYB's? My WRX and my Forrie run them, and both cars handle well.
 
They handle great, and the oe ones seem to last ok but the replacements seem to flog out in 40,000km or so.
 
Stilson drives like I do, the only reason he hasn't broken much is because his car is 6 years newer than my Forester...
Everyone on here knows how I like to have fun offroad and that in turn wears out the shocks pretty quick. I have KYB's in the rear of my Foz which have been there for 18 months(45,000km) and when taking the car for a suspension checkup(back in Jan this year) they barely beat the passing mark/rating for them being usable, safe and the effect on the vehicles driving ability.
We both are looking into other options that are more upto the task of handling what we do.
 
I'm with Rally on that one :cool:

I've had mine (KYB's) since late 2006 & done over 70,000km's with them & have also given them a hard time :lildevil:
Perhaps not as hard as you guys, but still a hard time never the less :twisted:

I'm also happy to say that they are still going strong (independent mechanical & inspection report) & they still feel great :ebiggrin:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Well I do a few more km than you Mr T, see I might do 70,000km in 2 years.. So to wear down a set of shocks in 18months I'm not too happy with that..
Bear in mind my stock front shocks which I've only just replaced(202,000km) lasted pretty well. They couldn't of been anymore worn out though as they only got a 2 out of 10 rating while my 18month old rears got a 6 out of 10 rating. 5 out of 10 is a pass by the Pedders Suspension 19pt test/checkup.

I sent KYB an email a few hours ago just stating the situation and asking if they would do a custom set or more heavy duty set. If they would last 100,000km I'd be happy with that. I know King's can do custom springs so I thought I'd ask...

I seem to find myself offroad almost every weekend aswell.
 
No worries mate, it's all good :)
I just thought I'd give you an inside to how mine have performed.

If I was doing the sort of KM's you're doing, I'd also want to get more than 18mths out of a set too :cool:

Hopefully KYB will be able to do something for you :iconwink:

Didn't Kevin have something like that done & some type of custom set made up ? As he was having issues with them getting/being bent ?


P.S Did you get the PM & pics ?

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Yeah I understand where your coming from too Mr T. Yes I was reading up on Kevins work he had done, I am yet to bend a shock so I don't need them reinforced. Just that they have worn out too quickly due to driving thousands of km on harsh gravel roads..
Just something more heavy duty to withstand the punishment is all I'm after.
Do you have much clearance between your tyre and rear spring seat Mr T?
I have slowed down on the km I'm doing now due to having a fulltime job. Around 400 a week instead of 700, so tyres and general maintenance have slowed down too for the old girl.. :)

Yes I got the PM, sorry for not replying yet. Just been busy with Easter coming up and haven't really been home during the Easter period.
 
taza said:
Do you have much clearance between your tyre and rear spring seat Mr T?
Click to expand...
It's been a while, but if I remember correctly, there was about 5mm (possibly 10mm) of clearance when the tyres were brand new :)
That was for the Yokohama AT/s (GO12's) 215/65/16's

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
if you cant get custom shocks how about a try a cheaper alterntive? the ultima shocks are about $100 cheaper per set, and if you get a decent spring compressor change over can be done quickly as they wear out.

just an idea..
 
Either go genuine or customise as Kevin did.
See his thread "coming soon - my new setup"
 
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