changing struts

i wanted to change all my struts on the car. the ones i have right now are very stiff and i keep braking my axle support during city driving. i was just wondering which shocks and springs to get for my car. i basically want my car to be a little stiffer than stock but the same hight. right now i have intrax lowering springs and KYB shocks. these things are very stiff. thanking u ahead of time!

wahid m.

If you're breaking parts it's not because of a suspension that is "too stiff".

You've got other problems.

well it's happened to me twice and both times i hit a pot hole really hard. the suspension is the only thing i can think of which is cusing the axle support to break. since the axle and the suspension are interconnected that would be the most logical. both time i'm thinking that when the tire tries to rebound back further than it can it moves the support up, thus breaking the bolts. but if you can think of another solution i'm all ears. thanks

wahid m.

If the intrax springs have much more than an inch drop they are likely overpowering the kyb shocks.Do you have agx or just the cheaper kyb.

If so then likely go to milder drop like eibach pros or back to stock springs or get better shocks mabye like konis.

1.5 Inches in KYB AGX limit as per listed in my manual from KYB.

The AGX products have the following approximate damping force values.
When adjusted, both rebound and compression damping forces change.
Setting#: Relative Value
1 - Same as Factory 100
2 - Same as our GR2 products (10~15% firmer than Factory) 115
3 - 50% firmer than #2 172
4 - 30% firmer than #3 223


For an eight position adjustable product, the damping force values are approx.
the following:
With #2 being Factory at a relative value of 100,
#1 = 95 (5% softer than Factory #5 = 143.5 (43.5% firmer than Factory)
#2 = 100 (Factory damping force) #6 = 172 (72% firmer than Factory)
#3 = 107.5 (7.5% firmer than Factory) #7 = 197.5 (97.5 firmer than Factory)
#4 = 115 (15% firmer than Factory) #8 = 223 (123 % firmer than Factory )

it's probably the the cheaper KYB. i was thinking to go with stock. however i read that the handling on the stock springs and struts are horrible...there is major understeer with stock springs even w/ AWD. doea anyone know about this?

wahid m.

PS - the drop on my car is 1.75"

Please start sentences with capitals, and use ALL the letters in words.

Uhhh - you think this is news, or something? Of course people know about it.

Intrax springs are not reported to be nearly as stiff as many other aftermarket setups. 1.75" is a fair bit. Are you hitting your bump stops? Might explain a bit.

And I doubt that KYB GR-2s would be enough shock for that amount of drop. (If they're non-adjustable, they're probably GR-2s). GR-2s are essentially the stock shocks. If that's the case, you've dropped the car 1.75" with stock shocks, so if you're unhappy with them that's why.

I don't know if it is hitting the bump stops or not. Both the times when it happened, happened pretty fast and couldn't tell whether I hit it or not. however I've decided to go with stock springs and shocks. So, thanks to all who gave their opinion, it helped me a lot. BTW does anyone know where i can get springs and shocks for a reasonable price? Or, should I just go to Canadian Tire for them? thanks

wahid m.

My bet is that you hit the Bump Stop.

The KYB GR2 and AGX are the same height as the Stockers.

Try a shorter Damper. The Tokiko Ilumina is supposed to be shorter. Should work fine with your intrax.

As for the Shop; You can buy pretty much anything at Crappy, including the super duper Tokiko. Look in the yellow page, Ottawa has a few Speed Shop. Other possibility would be to phone L&R Racing or Kynetic.

Hope this helps.

Ghislain.

Illuminas were never popular for 1Gs - are they even available for his car?

And I don't know why you'd go to a speed shop for stock replacement items, unless you make too much money. You can buy the KYB GR-2s, which are stock replacement shocks, in lots of places. They are the same as the OEMs.

For stock springs you could try picking up a second-hand set from another DSMer who changed to aftermarket. Other than that I'm not sure, aside from a dealership or a junkyard.