Write-Up: Installing KYB GR-2 Struts

While researching around the board for assorted mods, I found several write ups missing all photos.
Write ups included are this one, rear tower brace install, front tower brace install... more?
Has a photo hosting site gone away?

denim wrote:

While researching around the board for assorted mods, I found several write ups missing all photos.
Write ups included are this one, rear tower brace install, front tower brace install... more?
Has a photo hosting site gone away?

Photo host gone? would not surprise me. How to monetize a free photo hosting site escapes me unless you are in effect confiscating folks' photos, over time, for stock and resale.

The effect is dramatic. Not even the FSM is all text.

They were lost when AOL closed their image hosting site. Unfortunately they cannot be recovered. One day, when I have nothing else to do, I might create a few illustrations to show the process.

Thanks for the response. Fact is, I have other fish to fry before doing the mods I'd like to do (first the new heart). Sad the shots are gone. Guess we need our own server!

The images were uploaded before this board even existed. Even if we had our own server (which I could in no way could), there would be the monumental task of moving all the images over and relinking them all. Currently, we are in the process of moving to a different system for displaying write-ups and FAQ info. It solves the problem of keeping images secure, but progress has been slow and tedious.

But since you're about to tackle the job, I see no better time to snap new pics than when you swap out your struts. Just send me the images, and I can plug into the write-up. Situation fixed!

Engine first. Struts are probably original at 104K, but I haven't driven this heartless car yet. When I do something relevant, be glad to post shots.

Aaron, the images to the write up on the front page are missing. Are you able to repair them?

Edit: never mind, just read previous entries. I guess I will have to photodocument my install for this write up.

I've got some KYB GR2 Struts I'm getting ready to install on my '96. I read earlier in this thread where "slotting" of some sort is required to get a proper front end alignment after this installation unless you get some "cam bolts".

Where is this slotting done and where are these cam bolts used ? Does anyone know where I can find them ?

I want to have all my ducks in a row before I pull everything apart.

Thanks

A Cam bolt adjusts camber.whereas the OEM bolt is non adjustable. They usually specify A cam bolt if the car has been in a fender bender which might throw things out of alignment.
A cam bolt is a good idea any time.
Slotting refers to the cars Caster adjustment.Also not adjustable unless you SLOT the holes in the strut tower. If you get a service manual all these procedures will be outlined.
If you have never done a shock swap you will most likely need an alignment afterwards. If you outline the area where the strut bolts onto the knuckle with a grease pen,you will be able to aproximately place the new strut without too much hassle.Problem is,the KYB strut has a different mounting profile than the OEM strut.so..the marked pattern might not be accurate.

If you are the third owner you might have a cam bolt allready in there.when you remove the bolt,look at it.if it has a sleeve thing on the bolt ,its a cam bolt.do a youtube search on how to install

So the cam bolts attach the strut to the knuckle ? Where would I find these ? I checked ZZP but found nothing.
Thanks

Autozone

anyway i can get the pics for this install?..they are not visible anymore

Read above. They were lost accidentally a long time ago. Waiting for someone to take new ones. Noah, you're up to bat.

I am planning on replacing my front struts in the near future and was wondering how to tell if I also need to replace the springs?

I am sure that most members will tell you not to replace them unless they are rusted or in otherwise questionable condition. I replaced my back springs after 140k for the sake of balance because I had to replace my fronts. I wasnt able to tell a difference in ride quality with new back springs.

If I was in a situation where i HAD to replace my springs, I would definitely look into custom made coil springs. Might as well upgrade them if you are going to replace them.

charlieRobinson wrote:

I am sure that most members will tell you not to replace them unless they are rusted or in otherwise questionable condition. I replaced my back springs after 140k for the sake of balance because I had to replace my fronts. I wasnt able to tell a difference in ride quality with new back springs.

If I was in a situation where i HAD to replace my springs, I would definitely look into custom made coil springs. Might as well upgrade them if you are going to replace them.

They aren't rusted. They only have around 65,000 miles on them but the front of the car likes to groan and make noises when it goes over speed bumps, etc. when it is cold outside.

If the front end is sitting low, that's an indicator. There are mixed opinions on when to replace springs, from "after so many years" to "never". It really depends on the type of car, too. It seems smaller import brands are more likely to fail from breaking - obviously they need replaced. But heavier cars use beefy springs that aren't likely to snap, so if they aren't sagging too low, and the left and right ride heights are the same, I wouldn't see any need to replace.

As long as the spring mounts (insulators) are intact, I think your noises are coming from elsewhere. The strut controls the up/down movement of the control arm. The spring only supports the chassis against gravity. Might be the strut bearing, control arm, bushings, and sway bar components making the noises.

AA wrote:

If the front end is sitting low, that's an indicator. There are mixed opinions on when to replace springs, from "after so many years" to "never". It really depends on the type of car, too. It seems smaller import brands are more likely to fail from breaking - obviously they need replaced. But heavier cars use beefy springs that aren't likely to snap, so if they aren't sagging too low, and the left and right ride heights are the same, I wouldn't see any need to replace.

As long as the spring mounts (insulators) are intact, I think your noises are coming from elsewhere.

Thanks. The car has made the noise for as long as I remember. Makes moans and groans when it is cold. I'll check the insulators. When do those need to be replaced? When they get cracks?

Changed the struts and upper insulators today. The old struts were completely shot. They fall under there own weight. I also bought two KYB SM5276 strut mounts and the bolt holes wouldn't line up on my car. They were to narrow. I had to reuse the old mounts because I had no other choice. What did everyone else use? Amazon and rockauto said the mounts should fit my car.

Any experience with AC Delco replacement strut mounts?  Rockauto lists two different numbers 901045 and 501243.  Anyone know which one I need?  

901045


501243

Since AC/Delco isn't sure what part works, I'd get KYB's SM5276, which is $10-20 less per side. I've used the KYB with both of my installs successfully. Note: use the new mounting screws supplied with the new struts, as they can vary the thread style, even with the same strut model. If the mount kit includes screws, they may or may not work with your KYB struts.

98riv wrote:

I also bought two KYB SM5276 strut mounts and the bolt holes wouldn't line up on my car. It was too narrow.

That's what you ordered but that may not be what you received. I ordered SM5286's from Rockauto for my '96 and that's indeed what the boxes indicated when they arrived. However, instead of having "studs" protruding from the mount as would be expected for that application, the mounts came with holes for use with bolts. Further, the hole spacing was not correct on the mount and wouldn't have fit in any case.

Rockauto had sent the correct boxes with the wrong parts in them.

I took pictures of them, called Rockauto to explain the situation, and sent an email to Rockauto where they verified that someone messed up. They sent me a link for a pre-paid shipping label then sent me the correct parts once they verified the return was in Fed-Ex's inventory system and on its way back to them. That was the second time I'd ordered those parts from them and received the wrong ones.

The first time they sent the completely wrong KYB part number although the correct one was indicated on the invoice. I didn't notice the discrepancy until I could no longer return them.

I like Rockauto and will continue to buy from them. But you need to verify that you've received the correct parts from them unless you like surprises like the one you got. I would get replacements from Rockauto and stick with KYB mounts since AC Delco doesn't seem to know which part you need.

AA wrote:

Since AC/Delco isn't sure what part works, I'd get KYB's SM5276, which is $10-20 less per side. I've used the KYB with both of my installs successfully. Note: use the new mounting screws supplied with the new struts, as they can vary the thread style, even with the same strut model. If the mount kit includes screws, they may or may not work with your KYB struts.

I had ordered the KYB SM5276, but they didn't fit. Wrong bolt spacing. Maybe someone put the wrong ones in the SM5276 boxes.

brutusk1 wrote:

98riv wrote:

I also bought two KYB SM5276 strut mounts and the bolt holes wouldn't line up on my car. It was too narrow.

That's what you ordered but that may not be what you received. I ordered SM5286's from Rockauto for my '96 and that's indeed what the boxes indicated when they arrived. However, instead of having "studs" protruding from the mount as would be expected for that application, the mounts came with holes for use with bolts. Further, the hole spacing was not correct on the mount and wouldn't have fit in any case.

Rockauto had sent the correct boxes with the wrong parts in them.

I took pictures of them, called Rockauto to explain the situation, and sent an email to Rockauto where they verified that someone messed up. They sent me a link for a pre-paid shipping label then sent me the correct parts once they verified the return was in Fed-Ex's inventory system and on its way back to them. That was the second time I'd ordered those parts from them and received the wrong ones.

The first time they sent the completely wrong KYB part number although the correct one was indicated on the invoice. I didn't notice the discrepancy until I could no longer return them.

I like Rockauto and will continue to buy from them. But you need to verify that you've received the correct parts from them unless you like surprises like the one you got. I would get replacements from Rockauto and stick with KYB mounts since AC Delco doesn't seem to know which part you need.

That's what I was thinking, but I couldn't find any part number on the mounts to prove my theory. It is weird that both mounts would be the wrong ones. The boxes were correct and I didn't think I needed to check the fitment before I started. Maybe someone at KYB screwed them up. As for the AC Delco's, it looks like the main difference is that one of them includes the bearings and the other includes the spring seat.

98riv wrote:

Any experience with AC Delco replacement strut mounts?  Rockauto lists two different numbers 901045 and 501243.  Anyone know which one I need?  

901045


501243

For your '98 I would get **NEITHER** of those, instead get the Monroe Strut-Mate or Mevotech sets, they come with the spring seats *and* the bearings *and* the boot cap *and* the bolts. Monroe # 902972, Mevotech same number (it is a copy of the Monroe kit).  You may need all those parts depending on who/how your last install was done.

This comment is based on experience with all 3.  I have not worn out a Monroe mount before the associated strut quit.  I went thru 2 delco mounts (dealer installed - ouch)  with a set of KYB struts and finally switched over to the Monroes.  The OE Delco mounts I had were made in India, had cork (not rubber) plate insulators. They seemed good.  I have always wondered if there was not some installation error (again -- dealer installed) with them.