nathanb

As the title says, the time has come to replace my front struts.

Looking at O'Reilly, I see a part from Monroe (link) for surprisingly cheap. Are these struts as rubbish as the price seems to indicate? Anywhere I should go to get some struts that are a good value without breaking the bank or paying for unnecessary stuff?

GrossPolluter

iTrader: (1)

rockauto.com . You may want to make sure your top hats are still in good condition while you are doing the work. For oem replacement, I usually get kyb

nathanb

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into KYB. I'd be interested in hearing other opinions as well if anyone else has experience.

And yes, while I'm at it I plan on replacing a lot of the surrounding hardware.

Jager

iTrader: (10)

Hello,

I have used both Tokico blue's and KYB AGX over the years. I like the KYB AGX mainly because you can still get them, Tokico Blue's have had supply issues in the past few years.

So FWIW, if you're not going with any performance, I'd go with the KYB GR-2. Cheap, affordable, and will be just fine.

clokker

iTrader: (2)

I like KYBs and disagree that you get no performance...they work quite well.
Pair them with some Racing Beat springs and you have a perfectly fine all-around suspension.

Unless you spend beyond the cheap Chinese coilovers and can set them up, "racing suspensions" are generally worse than the more generic stuff like KYB.

archaphil

iTrader: (1)

have gr-2s in my daily jetta and they were miles above stock in terms of performance. AGX has adjustable dampers however.

Rob XX 7

iTrader: (8)

the top pieces are inexpensive, but I have a pair here with only a couple hundred miles on them. Took them off for the racing beat lowering ones.

Hot_Dog

I have used both Tokico Illumina and KYB AGX dampers. I'm currently running KYB's. IMO, the Illumina is a better performing damper, but also more expensive than the KYB's. The rear KYB's are easier to adjust than the rear Illumina's. The rear KYB's have a **** on the body of the damper, which makes adjustment quite easy. The rear Illumina's have the adjustment on the top of the shaft, which makes adjustment a little more time consuming.

Dak

I have wondered about the GR-2's. For my purposes I don't know that I need an adjustable strut and the price at Rockauto.com looks pretty good to me. How do they compare to the Tokico blue's?

To the O.P. the KYB GR-2's from rock auto are cheaper than the Monroe's. Heck for what O'rielly's wants for the Monroe's you can get KYB AGX's from rockauto.com for a few dollars more and they get high marks from everyone it seems.

Chuck

iTrader: (2)

I recently put KYB's on the front of my '87 N/A. Performing great, no issues.

Jager

iTrader: (10)

To each their own on that . Compared to blown out factory struts, you'll feel like you're a race car though :o.

Since Tokico Blues are now hard to come by, you'll be fine with GR-2's.

I bought the KYB AGX's because of two reasons.

1) I got them used with Racing Beat springs for a good deal like 7 years ago. (rears where new, 1K on front).

2) I am particular about dumb ****, so I figured whatever I do with my car, I'm not limited by my strut choice, not that I will do anything in that regard that matters.

88 SE

If you're looking to restore the original handling qualities of your car, the KYB GR-2's are an excellent, well made replacement that will last you a long long time.

Monroes are a lot softer than OEM shocks for this application, no good.

If you aren't autocrossing, you don't need adjustable shocks. Mazda spent a lot of time and money to spec the OEM shocks to work well with the car in most situations.

DeaconBlue

iTrader: (31)

That has been my experience as well. I just installed a fresh set of Tokico Illuminas with a set of NOS Eibachs and love the combo on the street. Make sure you get new upper front mounts with bearings.

I have used KYB GR-2 on several daily drivers (non RX7) with stock springs. They firm up the ride slightly while still providing a smooth ride and are fairly inexpensive.

nathanb

Thanks for the recommendations, everyone! I found the discussion really helpful.

I ended up going with the Tokico Blues. I'm quite happy with the performance! Thanks again.

Jager

iTrader: (10)

Happy you liked them son!

Best non adjustable strut IMHO!