Struts fail after 6 months? Options

[phokur]

So I installed my Teins and GR-2s in January See Here
Anyway, the bumping I hear has gotten much worst. I was trying to ignore it, but it got to the point I was afraid something was going to come through the floor. Had a garage look at it and they said my struts were bad... I just installed these things! Anybody have this happen? I got the GR-2s that everybody else here runs, but the garage said if I ran stock struts and lowering springs the strut could bottom out and fail.

[CelicaST_CALI]

where did u buy them??how many miles do u think u got on them?do u often go on rough roads??

[Galcobar]

Simpler -- did you replace the strut mounts when you replaced the struts? And did you re-install bumpstops?

The KYB GR-2 carry a warrenty good as long as you do not lower the car more than 1.5".

[CelicaST_CALI]

but the garage said the STRUTS were bad..

[snapshotgt]

I had this same issue. Got new bilsteins recently, and i'm already having to replace them.
I'm hoping it was just a fluke, and won't have this issue with new one. Although, you have to factor in the extra (minimal) weight of the V6.

Here is a thread with pics and a video: http://www.6gc.net/forums/index.php?showto...t=0&start=0

[DEATH]

Then again it's a lowered Celica with sportier suspension - what we're you expecting? A ride like an LS-400 with air suspension?

Doen't apply to you SnapshotGT - yours are way too bouncey [different problem than his]

[lagos]

From what I've seen, Teins and Sportlines will blow shocks very quickly.

[GriffGirl]

If Teins and Sportlines will blow shocks quickly, then what springs won't? Is it the springs that are the problem, or the shocks? Which sucks the least?

[DEATH]

Never had a blown strut in 4 years with my Sportlines - then again put them on @ 30K and the car was killed @ 100K.

[dnyluong]

yeah, i'd like an answer to this question too,
seeing as how i just got my GR2's in the mail, and waiting for Tein Stechs right now, it was probably better off to go with the koni yellows in the long run i guess =\

[DEATH]

BS - these guys just got a lemon. Plenty of us on here have been running Teins and Eibachs for years on bilsteins, GR2's, Koni's even monroes without these problems.
Like I said tho - you are lowering your cars on sportier suspension - don't be looking for Lexus quality ride.
Also make sure you are changing out the bump stops etc too. Alot more goes into your ride quality than just springs and struts.

This post has been edited by DEATH: Jun 18, 2008 - 3:42 PM

[phokur]

Wow! Thanks for all of the replies!
I bought the struts from jdmwerks13 on eBay, no idea how I'd get KYB to honor any warranty. And I don't intentionally go onto rough roads, but they present themselves on occasion.
When I replaced the struts/springs, I only replaced those and reused everything that I could. It was awhile ago so my memory is foggy on bump stops and mounts. But they started making noise within the drive home from installing them, and it has only gotten worst with time. Lemons would be good to hear if you know how to get KYB to honor any warranty...

[airfron]

The KYB's are just a stock replacement.

In my humble opinion if you are replacing your springs with performance/lowering springs and you want a dependable setup that was designed for that kind of application you need shocks that are desigend for that kind of use.

I know that there are a lot of people on this forum that have not had issues with the Tein/KYB combo, but i have heard many testimonials from people that have had problems with the KYb GR-2's blowing out shortly after installing them on their lowered car. I honestly think it would be worth spending the additional money and actually upgrading the shocks/struts as well.

[dnyluong]

BS - these guys just got a lemon. Plenty of us on here have been running Teins and Eibachs for years on bilsteins, GR2's, Koni's even monroes without these problems.
Like I said tho - you are lowering your cars on sportier suspension - don't be looking for Lexus quality ride.
Also make sure you are changing out the bump stops etc too. Alot more goes into your ride quality than just springs and struts.

where would i find some new bump stops or are there only OEM ones? so i'd have to order a new set? What would the part # be?

[GriffGirl]

48331-20110 is the part # for the FRONT bump stops. You would need one for each side.

48341-20240 is the part # for the REAR bump stops. You would need one for each side.

1sttoyotaparts.com

[dnyluong]

TYVM griffgirl =)

[creis]

I've had my ground control coilovers and kyb gr-2 shocks for over 25k miles with no problems at all, its lowered more then 2.5 inches... for what its worth.

This post has been edited by creis: Jun 20, 2008 - 2:15 PM

[808celica]

just save up and go full coils already.

like what everyone said dont expect a ride like a Lexus or to be more specific a LS460 with air runners, JP Heritage rims, Full JP interior, and simple JP everything

This post has been edited by 808celica: Jun 21, 2008 - 6:27 AM

[phokur]

I don't care about the ride at all, it's just that the car sounds like it's sending the struts through my engine bay on every bump. I'm gonna take them off tomorrow and post pictures, I'm thinking it may be missing bump stops because I've noticed my coils have worn paint where they've been touching.

[phokur]

See anything visibly wrong?



Let me know if you want any additional up-close shots of anything.

[Galcobar]

Well, your top photo isn't working, and the one I can see doesn't show the bottom spring seat, the gland nut, or the strut rod nut -- if any of those are set wrong wrong, you can easily account for unnecessary stress on your shocks. Nor can I see if you've got a good set of bumpstops in place.

However, it looks like you didn't replace your strut mounts if the rust is any indication, and your upper spring seat isolator is mis-aligned to the spring seat. I cannot determine if your spring seat and spring were correctly aligned on install since I'm looking at removed pieces.

I purchased my KYB GR-2 from jdmwerks13 as well, not had a problem with them on my Eibach Pro-kit.

[phokur]

Thanks for all the help, but I finally figured it out!
It seems when I tightened the nut to secure the strut cartridge in the canister it wasn't quite tight enough. Both sides eventually worked themselves loose and the strut was bumping up and down. So I tightened the crap out of them and the sound is completely gone!

[Galcobar]

That nut you left loose is the gland nut I mentioned.

[supaneko]

I hate to be a thread digger but after reading the posts within here, I am a little concerned about the combination of suspension parts I purchased to lower my ST hatchback.

I bought the 1.5" Eibach Sportlines as well as a set (front/rear) of KYB GR-2's. Before I ordered them, I was assured that these would be just fine. If I replace the strut mounts (is this actually necessary?) and replace the bumper stops (can I use the Toyota OEM's?), would that help to lessen the chance to blowing my struts?

[azian_advanced]

if your strut mounts and bump stops are fine, theres no need to replace them. so replacing them won't reduce the likeliness of your struts to blow.

[KAOS]

I hate to be a thread digger but after reading the posts within here, I am a little concerned about the combination of suspension parts I purchased to lower my ST hatchback.

I bought the 1.5" Eibach Sportlines as well as a set (front/rear) of KYB GR-2's. Before I ordered them, I was assured that these would be just fine. If I replace the strut mounts (is this actually necessary?) and replace the bumper stops (can I use the Toyota OEM's?), would that help to lessen the chance to blowing my struts?

If you're intention is to lower your car - replacing the bump stops won't help, you actually have to CUT them. There's four humps in a bump stop, and when I lowered my car I cut the lower two humps off. (the spring manufacturer actually recommends that you cut a bit off to allow strut travel)