Hey,
Just took a short road trip in my DD Corolla. At 140k miles, it needs new shocks.
Rockauto has KYB parts in stock. Tirerack has Bilsteins in stock, at 2x the KYB price. I am not interested in OEM parts.
Are there other suppliers for these parts, that offer similar performance?
If I am locked into these 2 suppliers, is there a good reason to buy the Bilsteins?
Thanks,
Rog
For a DD the KYBs will be fine. Frankly I wouldn't consider the Bilsteins unless the car had lowering springs and was used on track.
For my 2008 Prius I chose Gabriel loaded front struts at about $100 each. For your Corolla the KYBs are nearly the same price so I might choose those.
But, I would try to get the parts from my local Parts Authority who are related to RockAuto. Generally, Rock Auto prices but over the counter with no shipping charge. Parts Authority locations
The KYB may be OE.
I put Gabriel pre loaded units in the Corolla we had (1998) at all four corners. and while the newness of the struts was great the biggest change was the new springs. It was an eye opener with respect to springs actually do ware out.
This could be an interesting GRM quick article some time. If for no other reason to answer the question of how often should you replace your springs? I actually don't know the answer to that. Just never thought about it until I did the loaded struts on all four corners of the Corolla.
In reply to dean1484 :
Aftermarket springs can be wildly different from stock. I did a search in the MOOG spring book for rear springs for my '85 RX-7 of a certain free height, diameter, and rate, and decided that rear springs from an '91-96 Escort wagon would be right. On installation the ride height was significantly higher than calculated. I measured the free coils, coil diameter, and wire thickness, and calculated that the actual spring rate was around 170lb-in when the Book said they were in the 140lb range, by fuzzy memory from almost 20 years ago.
At least it proved that my math was right because my actual ride height was almost exactly what I calculated it should be with the "measured" spring rate.
While KYB does make the OEM strut, the general consensus I get is their Excel-G parts store damper has a shorter service life.
Bilstein and throw a lowering spring on it. Have some fun.
kevinatfms said:Bilstein and throw a lowering spring on it. Have some fun.
Not a bad idea for an upgrade, if desired...
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