KYB vs. Tokico struts

[HXS]

I need to change my struts and I'm debating between these two.

Which one will last longer and which one is a better buy?

I'm asking cuz the price difference between them is only $40 for me (Tokico's > KYB obviously).

Btw, I'm not planning to lower my car; I heard Tokico's is better for that.

Thanks for any info!

[bdy0003]

Check first, but I believe Tokico has a lifetime warranty. Ppl here like Tokico, but I don't have exp with them. I like my KYBs because they are firm with my stock springs.

KYBs are oodles cheaper. I believe I got mine for 270.

[JohnGD]

Tokico HP (aka "Tokico Blue").

[Eye8Pussies]

it's preference- the tokicos are ALOT stiffer than the kybs

[fenixus]

I would take Tokico HP (blue) with lifetime warranty over any KYB any time. if you just looking for a nice & quiet stock ride, why not go with Gabriel ReadyMounts (a better version of Monroe QuickStrut I guess) at around $140 each from local Autozone (rewards discounts also give $20 credit per every spent $100).

[HXS]

thanks for the input guys...

i'm leaning towards the KYBs since you guys mention the Tokicos are much stiffer...
although, my guy can do Tokicos for only $40 more... hmmm what to do

[JohnGD]

Tokicos may be stiffer than OEM, but as far as shocks (struts) go, they're just better than KYBs. Many do like the KYB ride after it softened a bit.

Today's Gabriel Ultras (not their cheaper lines) are softer than they used to be. Other than that Ultras soak up lane marker tiles and road cracks without problems and give you more of an American ride. The KYBs bounce around and make you feel every road crack and I hated those. That said, I believe the valving may have changed in recent years, but to me they are "Keep Your Bilsteins".

I actually liked the firmer valving older Ultras had, but these do carry a lifetime warranty. And at Autozones the no nonsense return policy is great. AZ sometimes has the buy-3-get-one free type of coupon deals. So look for them.

That said if only between KYB and Tokico, I would lean Tokico. It's really your preference, so goggle around.

[projektvertx]

I actually have the KYBs on my car right now, with lowering springs. I like them. I've also put them on my other car, and they do work very nicely. BUT they are stiffer than stock. So be ready for that. But I like them.

In my experience, I would avoid Gabriel. I had a set and they blew on me after only a few years. I didn't drive the car hard either. And Autozone DIDN'T honor their lifetime warranty at the time. I actually had to find a different location that was willing to honor the warranty.

[Falloutkid90]

I'd go with the blues. There built for performance so you will get a firmer ride over the kyb shocks and alot more then stock. But from what I heard they have a lifetime coverage even with lowering springs (up to a 1.5" drop). If throw on some h&r or eibach springs and a whiteline rsb, you'll have a car with some super handling. That my plan for the summer if I have the funds.

[jgraham5481]

Kyb's also have a lifetime warranty. What I have noticed, with kyb's for the camry, is that they leak after about 2-3 years, now they dont seem to lose any umph, but in some states, they can fail you for inspection with a "leaky strut". On my Isuzu, KYB is the onlly replacement for the lotus tuned cars and they leak after about 5 years and don't lose your umph till about 10 years or so, which is pretty comporable to stock. No experience with tokico, but KYB and tokico are both OE supplyers for many Japanese brands and are both top notch. I'd stay away from gabriel/monroe unless you like to bottom out and handle like stock blown out Camry struts. Quick struts are a waste of time because the rears never need strut plates, and as long as you're careful, the fronts wont need strut plates unless they're already bad. Even if you need strut plates, to replace them while you're doing the struts only takes the extra time it takes to open the box and put on a new plate instead of the old.

[eyeball96]

I use to have two Coupes! (sold the 94)

Both were dropped on H&R sports, also had TRD RSB's, 17" rims, 215/50 tires, and both 1mz engines.



The red 94 SE had Tokico's and the Ruby 96 LE has KYB GR2's. I preferred the Tokico over the KYB as far as the ride, they both handled great. If I ever need to replace the KYB's I'll buy Tokicos next time. Their just better IMHO

I really doubt that the car will outlast the struts though.

[Falloutkid90]

Originally Posted by eyeball96

I use to have two Coupes! (sold the 94)

Both were dropped on H&R sports, also had TRD RSB's, 17" rims, 215/50 tires, and both 1mz engines.



The red 94 SE had Tokico's and the Ruby 96 LE has KYB GR2's. I preferred the Tokico over the KYB as far as the ride, they both handled great. If I ever need to replace the KYB's I'll buy Tokicos next time. Their just better IMHO

I really doubt that the car will outlast the struts though.

You experience any problems with the kybs since there on lowering springs? I've heard they will blow out since there basically oem replacements.

[eyeball96]

Originally Posted by Falloutkid90

You experience any problems with the kybs since there on lowering springs? I've heard they will blow out since there basically oem replacements.

I think that rumor started when someone put lowering springs on worn out KYB's. Don't know for sure though.

My KYB's and H&R's were installed at the same time in 06, and I haven't had a problem with the combination.

It still handles like it's on rails 6 years later.

[roy7777]

Sorry to bring this thread back.
My 96 camry used H&R sport and Tokico HP since 2006. (mileage:76,000 miles)
Now the mileage is about 106,000 miles which means I drove about 30,000 miles during these 6 years.
In these 6 years, I had replaced the front Tokico struct once because of the annoying noise .



Now my second pair of front Tokico started to squeak again.
Should I send them back to Tokico to repair?
(It might mean that I will have to repair them after another 15,000 miles.)
Or maybe I should try the KYB?
Although it may not handle H&R as well as Tokico, but at least it won't have that annoying noise, will they?
Any suggestion is appreciated.

[xpeed]

You sure it was the shocks/struts and not just some bad ball joints?