KYB SE-Specific Struts

[TweakRacer]

2007 Camry XLE V6 with TRD springs, Ultra Racing front tower bar, Ultra Racing 19mm rear swaybar, on 18" rims/tires.

For a long time my car bounced around like I had cut coils. I kept saying that it was because of the non-SE (XLE) struts. While there were many naysayers here on TN, I'm happy to report they were all wrong. I finally got a hold of KYB's SE-specific struts (people here said they were OEM equipment on the SE's). OEM SE struts were always valved stiffer than the LE/XLE/CE struts, and KYB's replacements are supposedly a few points stiffer still to make up for worn suspensions components. Regardless of whether the latter point is valid or not, the former still stands. Now my car doesn't porpoise around on the round nor take 3+ bounces to recover from a bump. Anyways, if you have a non-SE and are dropped on lowering springs, do yourself a big favor and get some SE-specific struts.

Additionally, I used Monroe's Strut-Mate strut mount and boot for the rears (OEM boot tore; if you try to use KYB's SB101's for the rear, you'll need to cut the boot section off your factory rear mount, ugh). Also, I replaced the front strut bearings with OEM ones ($$$) even though they were fine (per factory service manual).

*Note: KYB SM5485 front strut mounts (you'll need a pair) will not fit over the factory boot. Thus, you MUST also buy a pair of SB102's, as these boots attach to the new included bumpstops (instead of being sandwiched between strut mount and spring (just use the included flat-ring isolators that come with your mounts).