KYB Front Struts Reviews

[The Melmaan]

Just want to find out if anybody is using KYB front struts?
How is the performance?
Some folks gave me a quote of $350 for a pair includes mounting, is this a good price?
Trying to save some bucks in this trying times, looked at Boge and Eibachs - very expensive.

[Sixdown]

Thought of going Bilstein? I've always had good experiences with them. You can get a whole set on ebay for decent prices too. I found KYB to be softer, unless you want that.

[Dave M]

Here is the BMA Strut Insert Page for 93 525 (http://www.bmaparts.com/RenderScriptTemplate.epc?_cmd=epccat_VehicleWHD&cookieID=2A10KPBB32CD19IOLH&yearid=1993%40%401993&makeid=BMW%40%40BMW&engineid=1012060%40%40525I++%2F+L6%2D2494cc+2%2E5L +GAS+FI++%28M50%29+152%40%40525I&catid=Front+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering%40%40F ront+End+%2F+Suspension+%26+Steering&mode=PA&subcatid=Front+Strut+Insert@@Front+Strut+Insert&clientid=bmaparts). As you can see, most options are less than the $350 you've been quoted.

I recall getting my boges (91 525) for less than $100/corner a few years back............($75 a rings a bell??). Either way, a quick call to Patrick or Yves at BMA will sort things out as their 'best' price is almost alway less than the web price.

Good luck with it,

Dave

[The Melmaan]

But as far as bottoming out, can KYB be trusted. I have Voghland lowering spring on them and they are pretty much stiff. The issue that I have at first is the strut mount, at some not so good bumps the spring makes a noise that seems like it is loose. I have some Mayle strut mounts but before I replace them, I'm thinking about replacing the struts because the labor will be the same. The car looks like:
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii108/Melmaan/Rogargear2.jpg

[Tiger]

I know exactly what you are talking about... the jarring bottoming feel when you hit a good pothole or bump... That is not the shock or spring... it is the sway bar link... change it out and the symptom will disappear. I struggled with this for 7 years until I changed all the sway bar links... and then it all disappeared.

[Dave M]

Sorry, can't provide insight on the KYBs.

There are MANY threads on suspension in here, and elsewhere, to browse if you haven't already done so. From memory, I don't believe there are too many KYB users on this forum, most run sachs/boge, bilstien with thier lowering springs with very few complaints. There have been some issues with bilstiens, which is why I have stuck to boge (no complaints here-cheap and trouuble free).

Anyhow, if you're set on KYB, it may take a while for someone to answer your question here.

Dave

[Tiger]

No... strut tower does nothing to eliminate that sound you are hearing.

sway bar links has ball joints and when it is worn, will emit a loud banging harsh sound... forcing your spring and strut to work harder rather than to let the sway bar do its job.

[The Melmaan]

Will the strut tower support help or I'm not on the right page?
Check this out from Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-95-BMW-E34-5-Series-Front-Upper-Strut-Tower-Bar-Rare_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33591QQihZ005QQite mZ150235391840QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Does the the sway bar link have some bushings?
Would you think that installing a better bushing will do the job?
THanks....

[The Melmaan]

Great, thanks for saving me the bucks...
I will have my mechanic look at the sway bar link.

[Jehu]

I know its just a useless piece of plastic or fiberglass but the Trunk Spoliers just morph the whole thing into another dimension altogether...lol. i love that..

[Tiger]

Just change them out... They are only like $30 a pair.

[The Melmaan]

Jehu,
you mean it affects the trunk spoilers too?
So bottom line, it just a piece of crap (strut bar)?

[Jehu]

No,lol. I mean It looks cool...

[SC David]

I'm using KYB's and H&R springs. Not the greatest combo. It bottoms out over bad bumps, more often than I'd like. It's just altogether too soft. I'd go with some Billy sports, Boges, or Konis if I were to do it over again.