Does KYB mean "kill your butt?"

[Robert K]

I'm still in the quest to purchase new struts for my wife's 1997 V-6 Camry. It has 107,000 miles on it and still has the original struts. They really aren't too bad, but do allow a slight quiver of the wheels over some bumps. Since this is the wife's car, it is imperative that it rides like stock after it receives the new struts. I found a dealer who'll sell me some OE replacements at $110 each, which is the best price I've found. I've also found Boge's at $279 a set and KYB GR2's at $219 a set. Some on this board have recommended the KYB's, but on a BMW board I belong to (I have a 1991 535i), I've heard time and time again they are very firm struts. I can't afford to get this wrong, so is there anyone out there who can provide some objective info on either the KYB or Boge struts? I put OE Boges back on my BMW and think they do fine. They are the OE supplier for BMW.

Grace and peace,

Robert K

[97camryman]

KYB is stock. KYB may be even softer than stock. I have Tein springs, Tokico struts and 35 series tires. That is almost stiff enough but still too soft for my taste. Camrys come stock way too soft, body roll is rediculous. KYB is the same as stock basically.

[Knailgun]

KYB's aren't bad...I've ridden in a few ehicles with them, sock ride quality. Personally I would do the tockico's on the car....much better results in the long run

[Eye8Pussies]

kyb gr2s are not stock....they're just not that stiff.....but they are quite definately stiffer than stock.......just in comparison with struts like tokico...

even though oem struts are rebadged kybs, they are not the kyb gr2s which are the ones available for the camry as aftermarket performance

if you want a stock ride for cheaper than oem price, you can look into monroe I think

in order of stiffness in struts:

kyb
tokico
koni reds (I think reds)

[Pineapple]

KYB GR2 are soft, can't handle coilovers. Work great with lowering springs.

[{GodlightSoul}]

Originally Posted by Robert K

I've also found Boge's at $279 a set and KYB GR2's at $219 a set.

please enlighten us as to where you found KYB GR2's for $219

I've called all over locally and even shox,com charges $280. Ebay has none for gen 3.5.

thanks.

[MentatGom]

Hey,

I got KYB from www.tirerack.com for $248 for my Gen 4 V6.
I am happy with them. They are nice high quality struts that get the job done comfortably.
I set mine up with a set of Whiteline sway bars and still think they are great. I think your wife will be happy with the KYB, and you will still be satisfied by their increased damping performance over stock. I replaced my stock struts at 80,000mi and definitely could feel an improvement. Anyways, I would recommend going with KYB, especially for $219 for the set.

Gom

[Robert K]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33590

[kenny1773]

Originally Posted by MentatGom

Hey,

I got KYB from www.tirerack.com for $248 for my Gen 4 V6.
I am happy with them. They are nice high quality struts that get the job done comfortably.
I set mine up with a set of Whiteline sway bars and still think they are great. I think your wife will be happy with the KYB, and you will still be satisfied by their increased damping performance over stock. I replaced my stock struts at 80,000mi and definitely could feel an improvement. Anyways, I would recommend going with KYB, especially for $219 for the set.

Gom

I got the ones for my Gen 3 from tirerack. I can't remember the price, but it was the best I could find at the time and tirerack service was excellent.

The GR2's are stiffer than stock. I heard estimates of 10%-15%. I will say the first couple thousand miles did seem far more stiff than that, but they loosened up (maybe after 2k miles) and had a really nice ride after that point. I don't think your wife will be upset with something that is 10% stiffer. It is by no means a 'sport' feel, just slightly firmer than stock.

I wouldn't go monroe, I never liked the way those felt.

[Diehonda]

what about SACHS?? The link at the bottom of this page has KYB GR2's but not as a set. They also have SACHS for what it seems a good deal but i have never heard of them. Monroe suck, Sears sells them for $20 a pop. Cheap and cheap.

[{GodlightSoul}]

Originally Posted by Robert K

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=33590

that's what I thought. But with $35 shipping....

I too was considering kyb and tokico. I think I need to go with the KYB GR2
tirerack has the rears on backorder , and the fronts are $72 each before shipping

thanks guys. Looks like shox.com for me.

[Robert K]

Sachs are high quality struts that I believe are made in Germany. I don't know if they acquired or merged with Boge, but they share the same website. I believe Boge/Sachs supplies all the factory struts for BMW. They provide a nicely damped OEM type ride. I have them on my 1991 BMW 535i with factory sport springs and it is a nice combo. If you're looking for a factory type ride, I don't think you would go wrong with Boge/Sachs. As I mentioned before, they have a website where you could check out models and availability.

Grace and peace,

Robert K

[Camdaddy]

I've got some KYB's with Intrax 1.75" springs....rides nice..much stiffer than stock of course, change the sway bar also.. thats what I did whiteline sway bar and polyurethene bushing all around...with 17" konig tantrums 225/45/17.. Kumho Esctas.. not too bad at all..

[bowlofturtle]

i always thought monroe was the closest to stock out there?

I got 88k on my 4 banger gen 3.5 and i'm looking to replace all 4 shocks. By no means am i out to get some racing stuff or anything remotely close to that. I will no drop the car. I'm going to keep the camry the way it was intended nice and smoothly. I want comfort over everything. Well best price/ comfort mix. Monroes are cheap and what not i was planning on going with monroes. dont know prices but maybe i'll take a look into KYB.

what do you guys mean by "stiff" like easier to turn? goes over bumps very smoothly. or would you feel bumps more then anything.

[{GodlightSoul}]

stiff as in more rigid suspension- more bumps, better handling

shox.com has kyb gr2 for $280 shipped, which is actually cheaper than monroes at pep boys.