MurcoRS

These shocks seem like a reasonably priced performance alternative that deliver a relatively smooth ride, for awhile. I'm on my 3rd set of these shocks in 4 years and each time they have held up for 12-18 months, then the ride becomes noticably harsher with harder impacts on low speed bumps and loss of tire contact on higher speed bumps. Even though they come with a "lifetime guarantee" against defects I will be replacing these with Bilstien Sports this time around as I don't relish the idea of replacing them again. Others may have had different experiences but I have had a very poor one.

Tobias05

mine are starting to get harsh, have had them almost a year and a half now...

TransAM Joe

iTrader: (6)

If you have a lowered car, which it looks like you do from the pic then you will prematurely wear out stock style shocks. Stay away from monroe, kyb and anything under about 300 a set of 4 on lowered cars. Changing the center of gravity by lowering puts alot more strain on you struts and shocks which wears them faster than normal, even the high end ones, but really fast on the cheapies. Bilstein are designed for lowered cars as others like koni, tokico. If it were me I would have switched after the first set gave out after 12 months and gone after kyb for replacement or money back.

Brisk

iTrader: (25)

thanks for the info..

compuwiz1937

iTrader: (17)

I have GR-2s on the front a gas-a-justs on the rear and they are much better than stock. I do have a rougher ride now but that's probably more to do with the springs than the shocks. I bought mine used anyway (only 1000 miles or so) so I can't rally say if they fade after about a year of use or not since they were already about that old before I put them on.

The Project

iTrader: (6)

Interesting...........thanks for the FYI

LoneStar666

i got KYB GR-2's on my car and it rides stiff as hell to begin with....

ive only had them for 5 months now and they seem to still be holding up just as great as they were the day they were put on... and they were only like $250

Kandied91z

iTrader: (7)

this is very true, the shocks you buy over the counter as well as the kyb agx series are designed to be factory replacement setups. these are also designed to work best with factory height springs for the vehicle application you buy them for. many people either A. buy them and match them with lowered springs like eibach or B. try to use them with worn out factory springs which again is an issue.

while kyb is not a good brand if you get a deal on them enough and pair them up right they can be managed with. i personally would buy the cheapest shock at my local parts store before i bought kyb after having tried several different sets on my various vehicles.

with that said you bring up another red alert. bilstein makes an excellnt shock/strut. however, they are also valved for the proper spring rate. the sports are excellent for lowered vehicles, the hd's go quite well with say a 1 1/2" drop or worn out factory spring height. bilstein also has a model that is a factory direct replacement.

the best suspension setup i've ran on a daily driver has been eibach pro-kit and bilstein hd's. the hd's work so well i've been using the rear shocks on my air ride camaro and they have still held up since 02 with roughly 30k on them. the air ride alone though in one summers driving puts roughly 100k on them of abuse. something to think about..

MurcoRS

Advise - taken!!!
I have a set of Eibach Pro's (not installed yet) and you just cemented my choice!

Outlaw28

i just replaced the koni yellows with the kyb g-r2's just a temp replacement needed something cheap...the konis where stiff as hell even at the lowest setting...the kybs are actually not bad at all pretty smooth ride if u ask me...i also put the pro kit on at the same time...before i had worn out cut stock springs up front and it felt as if my springs and shocks where just a steel beem welded to the axle and frame...im ganna have the konis rebuild and put back on....as for the back im running gas a just they arnt bad...i do have traction problems but eventually i will be getting a torque arm and lower control arms and relocation brackets which should fix the traction problem...problem with the Bilstien Sports if u have upgraded brakes or even some wheels they wont fit...i cant run them on my car they wont fit...but dont get me wrong they are nice and better be for that kind of money

MurcoRS

Won't fit?! Their shouldn't be any interference problems with them, they are the same external size as the OEM pieces!

matt_p

I agree. I have Koni yellows. They are definetly firm. They kinda suck when you hit a recessed manhole or a road with plenty of patch work.

Outlaw28

go on hawks or any other site that sells third gens u will run into parts that they say do not fit with blistien...

MurcoRS

I had never seen this before so I went to Hawks site and looked at brake kits and various suspension components and saw nothing about this. Do you know of any specific items?

vorgath

How about Koni Yellows with softer springs ? Isn't that what one of the suspension designers changed his mind about, after the 3rd Gen's were all done and sold ? Something about running softer springs, just enough so you don't bottom out, while countering them with stiffer shocks and the biggest swaybars you can get.