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KYB GR-2 Struts

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Old 01-25-2005, 02:15 PM
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Well the general american theory with suspension is stiffen it up all over. That'* not neccessary. You can have a nice and soft (even supple?) ride easily, yet still have very little body roll in turns.

Most Euro cars are very smooth, yet can rail on turns. They didn't neglect the chassis quite like the US has. Over complicated isn't necessary, but some effort would be nice. McPherson struts aren't for everyone, or every car
Old 01-25-2005, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by BonneMeMN
Well the general american theory with suspension is stiffen it up all over. That'* not neccessary. You can have a nice and soft (even supple?) ride easily, yet still have very little body roll in turns.

Most Euro cars are very smooth, yet can rail on turns. They didn't neglect the chassis quite like the US has. Over complicated isn't necessary, but some effort would be nice. McPherson struts aren't for everyone, or every car
strange, i felt that response coming on from you before you even typed it
Old 01-25-2005, 04:20 PM
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Well when people say the GTO is bad because it DOESN"T have a Live axle, i just bite my lip. One of the best suspension deigns is the C5/6 chassis. It does still incorporate a leaf spring, but it runs transversely from wheel to wheel.

I'm not saying we need our boat like handling and ride, but a car can still smooth, yet very taut at the same time.
Old 01-25-2005, 04:29 PM
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Old technology has proven itself very well, and the Vette is a great example. As for our W-Bodies and H-Bodies, where performance handling wasn't in mind when they were made, I'll take what I can get to improve handling on any level.

I wanted to get some adjustable dampeners like in the Koni'*, but I can't afford that.
Old 01-25-2005, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by BonneMeMN
Well when people say the GTO is bad because it DOESN"T have a Live axle, i just bite my lip. One of the best suspension deigns is the C5/6 chassis. It does still incorporate a leaf spring, but it runs transversely from wheel to wheel.

I'm not saying we need our boat like handling and ride, but a car can still smooth, yet very taut at the same time.
no arguments here
Old 01-25-2005, 11:26 PM
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Yes, the KYB GR-2'* are good bang for the buck. If you need struts I'd highly recommend them.
Old 01-25-2005, 11:35 PM
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How about Monroe Reflex'*? I need struts BAD in the front as I get rattles and jolts from the right front at every crack in the road, and by crack I mean anything that is a gap -space between pebbles 1/10" apart, etc.....
I want to keep the Air ride in the rear, and can get the Reflexes at NAPA for $115 each side for the rear, and I am leaning toward KYB'* for the front -where'* the cheapest vendor for these?
Old 01-27-2005, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 1997_LeSabre
I have KYB GR-2'* on my 1997 LeSabre. Along with the upgraded front and rear swaybars, the KYB'* turned my car from an old fart floater with worse cornering capabilities than a minivan into a very firm riding, well controlled car. The 97 Bonneville has the exact same part # springs and struts as my LeSabre, as well as the same sway bars. The KYB'* are especially necessary if you want the H body to handle well. I don't understand how GM allowed these cars to have such terrible handling from the factory. A slightly soft ride is okay for comfort, but the bobbing floatiness of the H body suspension with factory low-damping struts is unacceptable.

I dunno if it was said, I got into the convo kinda late... a good aftermarket suspension will always be better, however... I'm guessing you haven't driven/ridden in an F41 option Hbody. The handling ofcourse isn't that of a properly picked and set up aftermarket suspension, but the difference between a FE2, FE3 to F41 is VERY noticeable. I regularly drive with a pack of various Fbody'*, RX7'* etc and at speed have no problem staying with them... up to speed, well that'* another story

with that being said... I am upgrading to GR2'* up front and sensatrac air level or newer bonne reflex air level in the rear,... depends which one fits.... but I'm also planning on doing springs, rear bar and a few other things too

The only thing I really ever hear bad about the GR2'* is from people that have them on both ends with pretty aggressive springs... they say it'* like getting punched in the kidneys after a relatively long drive.
Old 01-27-2005, 12:13 PM
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Advance auto parts / parts america can get the KYB'* for $69 each. My friend happens to work at an advance, so I ended up paying around $55 each with his 20% discount. There is really no such thing as too harsh a ride if you keep the stock springs -- The front H body springs are something like 120 lb/in for the 95+ cars. No matter how stiff your strut is, the ride just can't be too stiff with these soft springs. I can definitely imagine that a firmer aftermarket spring plus the KYB struts could make for a very rigid ride. Some day when I have custom lowering springs I'll find out.
Old 01-29-2005, 01:26 AM
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if you want less body roll, you need stiffer springs, not struts, right?


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