Strut assembly KYB or Monroe
For my WRX, I went with KYB. First, they are cheaper. Second, they are 20% stiffer than OEM. I know you might not want a stiff ride, but the OEM ones are really soft. The 20% stiffer ones pair very nicely with stock springs. Honestly, it will feel and handle much better.
KYB actually makes the OEM ones, so fitment is spot on.
I just got them for my Buick. I would say that they function just as well as stock and the car rides great. They are a TAD rougher than OE, if I turn the radio off they make a bit of strut noise over bumps.
KYB gas struts
I used brand new KYB rabbit struts, and put a 1.5" lenth of round stock in the bottom of the strut housing to make up the difference in tube length
My shop puts quickstruts in all the time. No complaints yet.
I'm a fan of quick struts, especially for the DIYer. I can't count the number of people I've seen buy brand new struts and ignore the shitty bearing plates, insulators, ultra-rusty springs, etc. They are also very easy, and that placates my laziness nicely. As far as the spring being sold compressed vs. non-compressed, I agree with TrouserPudding completely. An automotive coil spring spends the vast majority of it's life installed in a strut, and it's compressed the entire time. Makes no difference as I see it.
Quick Struts are fan freaking tastic.
I have bought Monroe struts for a toyota from rockauto, and swapped out the strut bearing and coil (With a spring-compressor) for the front. Everything was peachy until it got cold outside (40s) and the front right started clicking (not clunking!).
I put the Monro-matics on my 99 es300 a few years ago, one winter later I was back to replacing them. Monroe is generally my go to brand, but I will no longer buy their economy line.
Get Monroe/Gabriel/KYB instead of cheap no name crap like you linked to.
Write your review
Help others - share your experience with this part.