KYB front struts question:
 

I know this is probably going to sound stupid but please just bare with me...

I recently aquired a used pair of KYB front struts for my 71 carrera.
Now my question is , how stiff are these things suppose to be? I mean am I suppose to be able to just simply move them up and down without realy having to try hard. I know I am suppose to some what move it but it just seems to easy. Can someone please help me out, I need to know if I need to just purchase a new pair.

Thanks,
rio

KYB's are filled with gas. They don't push in like a Koni, etc.

he's not adjusting them zeke...he's saying they might be used up...afterall they're used struts...

my front kybs were pretty difficult to push in...but then again I"m not very strong...

what's more important is this....Do they rebound themselves back to fully extended? if not they're junk. the gas pressure inside should push the shaft back out after you push down...

sjd

Yes, they do push themselves back up after I push them down. Does that mean they are ussable even though they push down quite easily???

No, they should not push down easily.

KYBs (kill yer back) are gas pressurized inserts. They should take alot of force to compress and then spring back by themselves. If they compress easily (like with one hand pushing) i'd say they are junk.
Of course IMO KYBs are junk when new, so my opinion is a bit slanted.
i had some on a 914 when i bought it, i changed to Konis and the improvement was surprising. The KYBs were extremely harsh on both compression and rebound, the konis woked much better.
I have not tried them in a 911 but I would think the valving and action would be similar.

Do yourself a favor...throw them away....they aren't nicknamed "Kill Yer Back" for nothing....

I meant that the gas pressure made them difficult to detect if they were good or not. Of course, if he can easily push them in, they're shot.

Really, all inserts and shocks are difficult to rate by pushing and pulling them, but who of us hasn't tried. :D

having built hundereds of Ohlins race shocks in my life, I can tell the difference with my fingers in the thickness of shims that are .005" different. it's just my little circus trick. it's been years though...not sure if I still can.

I used to stand there and sort them after a set of rebuilds... that's a .015, that's a .020, that's a .030, that's a .020, that's a .015....etc...

they make great shimming washers when they're used up...

sjd

KYBs are unuseable even when brand new, in perfect condition!

I don't know about that...

I like the ones in my 912 right now...

maybe you guys aren't running enough spring for them???

sjd
master debater

I am with the majority here, toss those shocks. I have had a few cars with KYB's and they all rode like trucks.

Save your money for a good quality shock. Your Porsche deserves it.

Tinker

I have KYBs on the back and koni Adjustables in front. The KYBs were "such a deal" but I do so hate them on the car. Save your money... Boge, Koni, Bilsten.....

You get what you pay for. The KYB's raise your ride hight up a surprising amount (20mm+ depending on what you had before). They are very firm..... but they are cheap, and better than a set of old tired shocks.

Thanks for all the replies, I think it is safe to say that no one likes KYB's.

Now for the million dollar question: WHere is the best place for a poor guy with a P-car get some front struts?

I have a set on the back of the 914 that I bought, can't wait to toss them in the ocean....

They sucked when I used them back in the 70s and they still suck now.....kind of like a thirty year job.....just wish married life had the same problem....%^B

Obviously I'm in the minority. I recently put a set of KYB shocks on my Galant, and I like them so much that I put four more on the SC. I think the SC rides great with them. Interesting.

No offense intended, but when I see KYB's on a nice car I wonder what else has been cheaply repaired or neglected.

Just my opinion. Oh and I have a set that came with my wife's Benz and I can't wait to replace.

Tinker

Thanks for all the replies, I think it is safe to say that no one likes KYB's.

Now for the million dollar question: WHere is the best place for a poor guy with a P-car get some front struts?

You only need the insert, not the whole strut.

Try our host. The prices are fair or try to get a questionable set on Evil bay or used through a member in the classifieds.

Tinker