I need to replace me struts, and figure I might as well to my shocks 2, just to be safe...
Anyway, I am thinking about getting the KYB Gas-A-Just shocks, and the GR-2 Struts. How would you all rate them?
Also, any recomendations? Budjet is a big concern. thank you in advance!

 

And who carries them? I called the only performance parts store near me (that I knwo of), Ram Chargers, and they said they only carry lakewood. Also, are lakewood any good then?

 

not very related (except, I need to replace these also), would an "Oversized" (as the guy @ AutoZone said) Ball joint fit my stock suspension? Would it be worth the $3 extra dollars to get it ($3/unit). I would be getting 2.

 

I've used the KYB's and GR-2's for a long time and although they're not race shocks,they're good bang-for-the-buck shocks.
There's a lot of better ones out there, but if you're on a tight budget,I think they're the way to go.
Cheapest to probably order them from Summit.
GR2 Strut Part#KYB-236001 49.95 Each
KYB Rear Shock Part# KYB-K65562 27.95 Each
or the new Adjustable AGX Struts
Part# KYB-735001 119.95 Each
I'm pretty sure that the
oversized Ball joints are made to replace originals when the hole in the spindle is worn so bad that a new original sized one would be sloppy.So, hopefully, you shouldn't need oversized ball joints.
Also, Harbor Freight sells a tool that makes removing/installing ball joints a lot easier, for about $40.
hope this helps-
_Rich-

 

yes, it does. thank you. but about how hard is it to replace balll joints w/o the special tool spoken of above?

 

The ball joints are a tight fit in the A-arm and really need to be pressed in.You can whack the old ones out with a big hammer and a socket,but it's not recommended to put them in that way (although I've seen it done that way many times).If you have access to a hydraulic press,that'll work well.The specific tool is like a large C-clamp with some spacers and cups,but it takes quite a bit of torque on the thing to move the ball joint in or out.With a half inch ratchet, last time I did it, it took two of us:One to stand on the clamp,one to turn the wrench.
Would have been easier with an impact,I guess.
You might be able to do it in a large bench-vice with some tubing or big sockets.
-Rich-

 

I "borrowed" the ball joint tool set at Murrays. It wasn't the greatest, but I would highly recommend it over ordinary hand tools!

As for the KYB stuff, I don't think anyone in town sells it (surprisingly). I got mine from JC Whitney.

 

Advanced Auto Parts near John R and 11 mile carries them, I think... just fyi

 

I ordered my GR-2 shocks and struts from Summit a few months ago. The price was pretty decent at $49 a piece for the front struts. They seem to be a comparable replacement for the stock units. Like the other guys say, the sky's the limit for what struts you can get, but the prices are sky high for the really hi-po ones. As far as using the ball joint tool, the 1/2" impact wrench is your best friend when using this tool. I cringe at the thought of trying to use a 1/2" ratchet with that tool!

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89RS w/350 TPI; 69RS/SS w/450 HP 350/Muncie 4-Speed "Too weird to live, too rare to die."