Write-Up: Installing KYB GR-2 Struts

i went in to midas a quote to install my 3" DP. they wanted $300 to do it. i went down the road to another shop and the guy did it for $80. (and took out the cat

I had no choice because I needed it done today. Oh well at least I saved money on the struts and install by doing it myself. I bought the struts for $55 a piece at sears on sale.

I have been looking through the showroom for a 98+ underhood shot, but cant seem to find one that captures the strut top.
I
converted my 96 front end to a 98 last spring, but my rods are hitting
the hood on hard bumps. i dont know if i am missing a piece or if the
top mounts are just defective from moog.
Is there a top washer on the 98 riv's like the w-bodys have? i have the
bearing, spacer, insulators (top and bottom) and bump stops, but maybe
i am missing something?
I think i am going to fill the strut top mounts with the 3m window urethane to try and stiffen them up some. That crap is $18 a tube, does anyone know of a cheaper urethane or epoxy that gets pretty hard, but stays flexible?

Thanks,
Matthew

Do these help?

yes they do! i dont have that washer (96's dont have them)
Do you remember any washer on the other side of the top mount too?
Also zzp sells anti-pogo washers that are suposed to eliminate the problem i am having on lowered w-bodies, but our struts are still a little different.
Probably a far shot, but anyone tried them?

so is this the part i need? it says strut mount cap. i hope it isnt the plastic cap on the nut for $17
acdelco part # 501186
here is the zzp one that is a little different, but i dont see how it would help.

that "strut mount cap" on rockauto has the same part number as the regals so i can only assume that is for the plastic dust cap, not the metal washer since the one pictured above is totally different than the regals.

So, anyone know where to get one of those metal washers?? didnt see it on gmpartsdirect or in the break-away diagram of the front suspension either. it's like that part doesnt exist...

I'm going to be going with the KYB GR-2 struts myself. My question is does the strut mount have to be replaced when changing struts?

J. Chris Davis wrote:

I'm going to be going with the KYB GR-2 struts myself. My question is does the strut mount have to be replaced when changing struts?

Strut mount?

If you've already replaced the mount with a lifetime warranted one probably not. If you do the job yourself (you have spring compressor etc) probably not if you can afford downtime at some point in the future. IF when you pull it apart the bearing is worn and/or you have cracks in the mount rubber (Check The Underside Not Just The Top!), then yes. If you want to do preventive maintenance then yes.

IF you get new mounts either get the Monroe that includes new washers for the bellows tops or re-use the factory bellows. The thick metal washer on top of the bump stop is important to keep the strut rod from blowing out the mount.

Albertj

Ok, thanks. That helps alot.

Mr.Riviera wrote:

I have been looking through the showroom for a 98+ underhood shot, but cant seem to find one that captures the strut top.
I
converted my 96 front end to a 98 last spring, but my rods are hitting
the hood on hard bumps. i dont know if i am missing a piece or if the
top mounts are just defective from moog.
Is there a top washer on the 98 riv's like the w-bodys have? i have the
bearing, spacer, insulators (top and bottom) and bump stops, but maybe
i am missing something?
I think i am going to fill the strut top mounts with the 3m window urethane to try and stiffen them up some. That crap is $18 a tube, does anyone know of a cheaper urethane or epoxy that gets pretty hard, but stays flexible?

Thanks,
Matthew

When you replace struts you MUST use the OE bellows with the thick metal top washer, or the Monroe (not Moog) kit that includes the washers (they fit with the Monroe bellows too by the way). Moog kit is fine but just does not have those parts. Get it? the parts were not missing per se, if you use the OE boots you don't need the parts, but if you don't have the OE boots with the thick top washers then you are kind of hosed. If you don't use those extra washers then it only takes a few months to pop the rods thru the mounts. I blew out 2 of 'em before I figured it out. Even the dealer tech missed this one; I had blown one out while traveling (on a Saturday!) and the Monroe tech support guy (for Sears) figured it out, said it's a common problem with Rivs, Caddies, PAs and other GM cars with this type strut mount, and it is not a big deal problem it's just that mo kidding you have to use the old bellows or be sure to put the thick dished washers that come with the Monroe mounts on. They fixed it on a Sunday (over a year ago) and it's been fine since. Anyway - you can use the Monroe mounts with KYBs or Gabriels as well as Monroe struts, BTW. I have KYBs.

Albertj

With the KYB struts. Do you have to change the strut mounts or is it just a good idea to? Also the part number that KYB now lists for the Riviera, at least for my 98 is 335045.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

With the KYB struts. Do you have to change the strut mounts or is it just a good idea to? Also the part number that KYB now lists for the Riviera, at least for my 98 is 335045.

Same answers as above:

If you've already replaced the mount with a lifetime warranted one probably not.

If you do the job yourself (you have spring compressor etc) probably not if you can afford downtime at some point in the future. IF you can not afford the down time then replace the mounts and keep the ones that are pulled out as spares.

IF when you pull it apart the bearing is worn and/or you have cracks in the mount rubber (Check The Underside Not Just The Top!), then yes replace the mounts.

And again, if you want to do preventive maintenance then yes.

Finally, IF you get new mounts either get the Monroe that includes new washers for the bellows tops or re-use the factory bellows. The thick metal washer on top of the bump stop is important to keep the strut rod from blowing out the mount. Replacement bellows kits DO NOT have the top washer, the Monroe Strut-Mate kit (is the only aftermarket kit I have seen that) does.

Albertj

PS to AA - your mounts' rubber looks a bit chewed under that washer, what's up with that?

I forgot I had already asked that question, sorry about that. Also thanks for the help.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

I forgot I had already asked that question, sorry about that. Also thanks for the help.

You're welcome of course. Happymotoring.

Albertj

Going to be ordering the front struts next week. I can't seem to find any quick struts which sucks. Not real fond of using a spring compressor.

Aside from the struts and new mount/bearing, do I need a boot kit for each side? Not sure if they come with the boot and absorber or not.

You can transfer the boot/shield from your stock struts to the new ones. I found the cap that goes on the end of the shield would not fit the new strut design, so I left it out.

Hey guys. I have a 95 and have the KYB GR2s in a vice. I noticed when assembling that my OEM boot does not come down and mate with the base of the strut like it did with my OEM struts. The OD of the base is smaller than the ID of the boot so dust can easily get in. This is obviously bad....I'm about to take back my KYBs....I can't get KYB boots anywhere without waiting a few days. I need my car back ASAP. Has anyone encountered this????

werdstrave wrote:

Hi guys. In order to solve this problem I went ahead and ordered the kyb struts everyone is talking about on this forum (236700). I am installing them now and realized my shock boot does not hook over and seal to the lip at the base of the strut like it did on my OEMs! There is a metal ring on the KYB's that looks like it is for this but the OD of the ring is smaller than the ID of the boot. Please help. Is there some way around making these 2 parts mate? I don't want dust getting in. Do I need to order an adapter metal ring? New strut boot?.

you can get KYB strut boots from rockauto.com or elsewhere, you're right the OE boots are a bit too large diameter.

you can also stick the boots down with a little RTV (4 or 5 dots) and pull them back off (RTV sticks but shears easily) when you change struts again.

or you can not worry about it, you will find that the OE boots rest over the new struts OK but not perfect.

when I replaced mine I put on new boots and saved the old ones.

**if you put on new boots you will need new boot top dished washers, I've only seen them in the Monroe Strut-Mate mount kit.

Albertj

werdstrave wrote:

Hey guys. I have a 95 and have the KYB GR2s in a vice. I noticed when assembling that my OEM boot does not come down and mate with the base of the strut like it did with my OEM struts. The OD of the base is smaller than the ID of the boot so dust can easily get in. This is obviously bad....I'm about to take back my KYBs....I can't get KYB boots anywhere without waiting a few days. I need my car back ASAP. Has anyone encountered this????

see who has any boots at all, and take a strut there to test fit. I bet Monroe or Gabriel replacement boots (one the other) will fit fine.

Albertj,

I am not familiar with "boot top dished washers" what are these? Someone on another thread suggested taking a strut down to somewhere that has boots and seeing if Monroe or Gabriel boots fit.

Here is what I have....I bought the KYB GR2s and new monroe strut mounts. The only problem I'm having is with the boot fitting up.

Here are my options.....
1. Leave it alone and hope no crap gets in there
2. Buy some monroe struts tomorrow and return my GR2s hoping they fit up with my boot
3. Order some KYB boots and wait 3-4 days without a car......seeing tomorrow is the weekend.

I"m leaning toward 1 since I really need my car back. I wish someone told me before I got these GR2s that the OEM boots wouldn't fit.

If I by KYB boots, will they fit in the monroe mounts and onto the KYB strut????

werdstrave wrote:

Albertj,

I am not familiar with "boot top dished washers" what are these? Someone on another thread suggested taking a strut down to somewhere that has boots and seeing if Monroe or Gabriel boots fit.

Here is what I have....I bought the KYB GR2s and new monroe strut mounts. The only problem I'm having is with the boot fitting up.

Here are my options.....
1. Leave it alone and hope no crap gets in there
2. Buy some monroe struts tomorrow and return my GR2s hoping they fit up with my boot
3. Order some KYB boots and wait 3-4 days without a car......seeing tomorrow is the weekend.

I"m leaning toward 1 since I really need my car back. I wish someone told me before I got these GR2s that the OEM boots wouldn't fit.

If I by KYB boots, will they fit in the monroe mounts and onto the KYB strut????

I would do option 4, shop around within ~100 miles for a set of boots. Point is the KYB, Monroe and Gabriel aftermarket boots are, I think, just relabeled items made in the pacific rim somewhere. Other point is if you take one of the struts with you (autozone comes to mind) odds are someone can fit up a set of boots. You need boots that fit. You don't need KYB boots. If you use the OE boots they will work fine, they just won't be snug at the bottom--which in service won't really matter. (on a show car someone MIGHT catch it)

And it was me that suggested taking the struts out to check boot fit.

If you have the Monroe "StrutMate" kit it comes wiht the washers that snap over the tops of new boots. The white plastic bumper goes over the shock (point-down I think) and the washer sits over the top; the assembly slides onto the strut shaft; you *will* need to use dish liquid or some suck to lube the shaft to get the white plastic bumpers on, they are a wildly tight fit on the shafts. .

If you read through this thread, the boot fitment issue is mentioned a few times. As albertj said, if you want to you can buy the KYB boots for a perfect fit, but I don't believe they offer any functional advantage. I've used the KYB GR-2 struts with the original dust boots for 100k miles, through 4 Ohio winters, lots of heavy use, extreme handling, etc. The struts that came off the car were still in great condition. I actually did not notice much improvement, if any, when the new (same KYB) struts were installed. So, if you decide to go with option #1, you probably will not see failing struts because the boots don't fit perfectly.

AA wrote:

If you read through this thread, the boot fitment issue is mentioned a few times. As albertj said, if you want to you can buy the KYB boots for a perfect fit, but I don't believe they offer any functional advantage. I've used the KYB GR-2 struts with the original dust boots for 100k miles, through 4 Ohio winters, lots of heavy use, extreme handling, etc. The struts that came off the car were still in great condition. I actually did not notice much improvement, if any, when the new (same KYB) struts were installed. So, if you decide to go with option #1, you probably will not see failing struts because the boots don't fit perfectly.

I have a quick question about what to team up these GR-2s with. I ordered new ones off of ebay (30$ a piece!!! hot deal!) and I'm looking for the strut mounts, bearings, and coil spring mounts to team these with. I'm unsure if my spring mounts are busted but since I'm down there anyways might as well spend the 20$ now than spend a weekend later.

So far here's what I have
-Revotech strut mount/bearing assembly
-Raybestos pro grade spring mounts
-GR-2 struts

I'm aware that the GR-2s will have a slightly firmer ride but otherwise just be a good OE spec replacement. The other parts though are unknowns to me. Has anyone else used any of these? I never heard of revotech before this past month and they seem to do a lot of g-body parts. I saw listings for control arms and tie rods I think. Raybestos parts are of good quality I know but whats the difference between pro-grade and normal grade?