Ahh, christmas is wonderful! Options

[njccmd2002]

So the SS-II came with inserts and didnt come with sealed struts?

I thought so. Damn! Now i'm not sure. Not to jack the thread but are these sealed or inserts?

those are sealed.

[6strngs]

I'm not too worried about rust. The car has lived it's entire life in California as I bought it from the original owner and as far as I know has never even seen any substantial amount of snow or ice, or even temperatures below 20 degrees.

As for the endlinks, I took one off of the front before because I thought I needed to for something else (turns out I didn't need to, which is why I only did it on one side) and had no problems. I think that if you know how to do it properly (before you strip them out) and have the right tools you shouldn't have any problems with them. but if I do I'll be getting some ST185s as replacements.

anyway, I just came back from my vacation today, I've got to work tomorrow but I hope to go get the spring insulators and bump stops tomorrow and then I have a day off for new years so I hope to get these in on tuesday. hopefully I can do it in one day, even if I do have to get the sealed struts they should be in stock at my local store. They carry KYB and they have never had to order a part for me, they've always had everything in stock that I needed. So hopefully tuesday!

[Slick]

So the SS-II came with inserts and didnt come with sealed struts?

I thought so. Damn! Now i'm not sure. Not to jack the thread but are these sealed or inserts?

those are sealed.

Thanks. Guess i have to do some more ordering.

[6strngs]

I'm a little surprised this only took about 5 minutes to get out by myself.

I pulled the boot back to take a look and here's what I found.


sealed or not? I see threads where it appears to thread into the strut mount, so I think it's not sealed, but was wondering if anybody else knew better than I do.

also, I have looked and I cannot find the insulators anywhere! online or at stores! I'm a little pissed. and the only bump stops I could find were KYB ones that combine the bump stop and boot, but I'd have to order them... I really wanted to do this tomorrow though! argh I'm a little pissed.

[LewFX]

ill say non-sealed...seems like u can get a pipe wrench around that.

[trdproven]

anyone with a sealed vs non-sealed strut to compare?

[6strngs]

in the pictures above, the shock and the strut are all one piece, but in mine, it looks like the shock threads into the strut.

[Batman722]

^^ that is sealed






^^ this is not sealed

yours are not sealed.

[Slick]

^^ that is sealed






^^ this is not sealed

yours are not sealed.

Mine look like the 2nd and 3rd pics. I tried to use a simple wrench to see if i could twist it open but i think i need some other tool to insert into the holes in the side to have another wrench twirst it the other way.

[LewFX]

put strut in a vise, use a pipe wrench with pb blaster and twist off, empty old fluid, put new brake fluid in, put shock in, cap it

[Slick]

put strut in a vise, use a pipe wrench with pb blaster and twist off, empty old fluid, put new brake fluid in, put shock in, cap it

Cool! Thanks!

[6strngs]

put strut in a vise, use a pipe wrench with pb blaster and twist off, empty old fluid, put new brake fluid in, put shock in, cap it

I thought the liquid was already in the strut? nobody explained this to me. so, I'll need to empty the fluid and fill it with brake fluid? just plain ol' DOT3 fluid or should I spring for the DOT5 silicone stuff? how much do I put in, and what do you mean by "cap it"?

[LewFX]

the fluid keeps the shock intact inside...just put shock in, fill til its near the top and twist the cap back on and pipe wrench tight

[95CelicaST]

When I installed my KYB's I put brake fluid into the strut and then put the cartridge in. The brake fluid helps keep the heat down and absorbs some of the shock that can occur during driving. Radiator coolant works as well.

[6strngs]

I got 3 corners done yesterday. I was post-poned on the 4th because the box didn't include the nut and the big one that you use a pipe wrench on, and the stock one doesn't fit anymore, even if you pop out that bearing thing, so I guess I'm forced to buy another cartridge, but the store that would carry it was closed yesterday so I'm going today. pics to come soon.

[Celicam8]

I got 3 corners done yesterday. I was post-poned on the 4th because the box didn't include the nut and the big one that you use a pipe wrench on, and the stock one doesn't fit anymore, even if you pop out that bearing thing, so I guess I'm forced to buy another cartridge, but the store that would carry it was closed yesterday so I'm going today. pics to come soon.

front one? try using a stock rear... I actually used all stock nuts... all of them fit... I actually had to use the front stock ones, and rears ... well i had some issues with the stock and had to kill them

[6strngs]

I'm not talking about the nut for the top, although it didn't include that either. I'm talking about the big nut that holds the cartridge into the strut. it didn't come with it. I bought a new cartridge today but it was way expensive, like $88 and won't be in until tomorrow. but the guy there said that all kyb shocks have a lifetime warranty and that they are super cool about stuff so he said I might be able to straight trade the one I have.

[6strngs]

alright, got it done today! they didn't let me trade the shock I have so I'm out $88 but I have an extra shock with no nut... anyway, they're in, and they feel great! the ride is a little bumpier but I don't really mind, the increase is handling is well worth it! it was wet and rainy today and I took a couple corners kinda fast and didn't understeer! it was a nice change. as for the lowering, I wish I had taken a before picture. but I did stick some fingers in the wheel gap before and after. before I could fit all 5 fingers in the front gap, immediately after lowering I could fit 3, and after letting them settle for a few hours I can only fit 2 . here's a pic from a few months ago to compare to:


and here's the after, these were all taken about half an hour after I was finished, so I could still fit 3 fingers at this point.

[tim86]

looks great, this is an upgrade that is on my list and I will be doing shortly as well... hows the ride quality?

[6strngs]

looks great, this is an upgrade that is on my list and I will be doing shortly as well... hows the ride quality?

it's not too bad. it's a little rougher and you feel more bumps, but the upgrade in handling and the better looks are well worth it.