kyb gr2

[decke48]

so who likes these and who dislikes. seems like everyone heres getting these. but arent the just gas replacement struts? you talk to the wrx/sti guys there junk. thinking about these for next legacy. if there some what of better over stock. if the have stiffer valving or longer stroke.

[Huffer]

They're the best bang for buck replacement you can buy. The next step up is a Koni insert, or Bilsteins.

WRX/Impreza guys are jerks because they get all the optimized shock replacements. The Legacy gets very little love unless you have a BL/BP.

[sharky nrk]

good stock replacements - I hear they have 15% more aggressive dampening but have never confirmed

[chipLRX-SLI]

what about the kyb agx's . they are ajustable.

[Huffer]

what about the kyb agx's . they are ajustable.

They're not a direct replacement/fitment for the Legacy. You have to use Impreza/WRX tophats and springs.

[MCarp22]

I'm not terribly thrilled with KYB's valving. They seem to have too much high speed damping for a "sporty" feel, without the low speed damping you need to be sporty.

[chipLRX-SLI]

i am already running a set of tanabae df210's for a gf impreaza . kyb makes a set of agx struts for the 90-94 legacy would these work without impreza tophats using my gf impreza springs.

[Huffer]

^^ I don't think GF-fitment springs are going to work with pre-95 Legacy top-hats... the spring top diameter is different I think?

Maybe if you can find some used 94 tophats and compare them with your existing GF tophats?

[deadlydave]

The adjustable KYB's have been put on a shock dyno and been confirmed to be poop. There was a big post about it on nazioc, there's a guy that does custom shock work for autocrossers that tested a bunch of different ones.

[chipLRX-SLI]

ok well i dont want crap struts on my car. the car is already kinda crappy . i think ill just go with the gr2's . the only reason i was curious was beacsue i was quite fond of the adjustabilty of the agx.

[99gtlimited]

what about the kyb agx's . they are ajustable.

They're not a direct replacement/fitment for the Legacy. You have to use Impreza/WRX tophats and springs.

same with the koni adjustable right? they are made for impreza and thus would need the impreza springs and tophats.

[Huffer]

Yep, but I wonder if you could use a Koni insert...

[decke48]

agx = same part number for 92-94 legacy, and 93-00 impreza. but then h&r springs are 90-99 legacy. so is this saying agx would fit legacy springs and tophats.. ?

[ronemus]

I have GR2s on my '02 LGT, and they're a big step up from stock; probably a but too stiff with stock springs but much better than too soft. The STI has stiffer OEM shocks than the Legacy, so the difference isn't as pronounced. I bought them before Bilsteins were available, and that's the way I'd go now - they cost more, but are much less than coilovers.

[impreza_GC8]

WRX/Impreza guys are jerks....
Hey now!

GR2's will be just fine for you. i shelled out the cash for AGX's and have actually been a teensy bit dissapointed. I think I would like to try Tokico D-specs on my next car. FWIW I am running Tanabe GF210's and JDM STI Group N top hats.

[Huffer]

:lol: I didn't really mean that, just that you GC/GD guys get all the pre-90s support.

[subaru_terrence]

hey i heard the GR2's are not really meant for lowering springs

however, I just bought those GR2's for my BE :S

and now I am running whiteline control springs...

i knew i shouldnt cheap out on shocks and just go for the b4 bilstein..sighhh

[birukun]

On the GR2s, do you use the new 19mm nut for the top or the old 17mm nut?

Reason I am asking is I am having trouble getting my wrench to fit in there to tighten the 19mm nut....

Thanks in advance-

[Huffer]

You should use the new nut... I used a deep impact socket.

[rougeben83]

On the GR2s, do you use the new 19mm nut for the top or the old 17mm nut?

Reason I am asking is I am having trouble getting my wrench to fit in there to tighten the 19mm nut....

Thanks in advance-

Common trick to tighten the nut as much as you can off the car, then do the final torque spec when its been installed and the weight of the car is hold the strut to keep it the rod from spinning. You'll need a deep socket either way.

Use the new lock nut if possible.

[birukun]

Thanks again.

I will torque when loaded, with the new nuts.

Spinning the shaft won't hurt as long as it is not excessive, right?

[Okin DaVanh]

What's the average cost of a set for 4 corners?

[rougeben83]

about $300 from ebay vendors.

Spinning the shaft is ok as long as its not like...twirling around freely with an impact gun.

[shizznats]

im gonna be getting a set of GR-2s for my BD real soon also and I have a question about tophats.

my car has 116000 miles on it and ive been riding on eibach prokits with stock struts for the past 60000 miles or so.

should i replace the tophats, because theyre kind of pricey. If yes, is it more important to do the fronts or the rears... or is there a good chance that all four are shot at this point?

[decke48]

fronts are more important than rears to say. because the fronts have to turn and the bearing collect dust over time and will start clicking and you'll feel it in the wheel. rears dont usually go unless the rubber is dry cracked and falling apart. so if your taking them apart i'd say do the fronts anyways and take a peak at the rears

[Huffer]

Definitely do the front top-hats. I didn't and had to redo the susp. a 2nd time when the old top hats bound up a week after I had the new struts in.

Rears, I'm 50/50 on. If you have the coin, do them. If not, pray they're in good shape.

BTW. If you have a 1998 vehicle, order the 1997 top hats... they are the open bearing type and therefore are not a special order item. You can also repack the bearings. The 1998's have a closed bearing style on the top hat and thus every single dealer wants to special order them in, which takes 2 weeks.

[birukun]

Thanks again. You guys are the best.

[Illnastyimpreza]

ok you guys are saying the GR2's don't like lowering springs. I found a set of 04 WRX GR2s with Tein S techs...all fully assembled with tophats. for 300 shipped...they are for an 04 WRX wagon... they have 18k miles on them.

whata u guys think ? Buy em ???

I'm just worried the Shocks will wear out MUCH faster due to having the Stechs on there...

Don't the GR2's have a lifetime warrantee anyway ? would it cost me anything to have them rebuilt??

[Illnastyimpreza]

ok you guys are saying the GR2's don't like lowering springs. I found a set of 04 WRX GR2s with Tein S techs...all fully assembled with tophats. for 300 shipped...they are for an 04 WRX wagon... they have 18k miles on them.

whata u guys think ? Buy em ???

I'm just worried the Shocks will wear out MUCH faster due to having the Stechs on there...

Don't the GR2's have a lifetime warrantee anyway ? would it cost me anything to have them rebuilt??


I also found a full set of 07 stock sedan suspension , 7k miles, 160 shipped to my door.... whata u think ? sedan suspesion on my 98 Legacy L wagon ? would the 3/8'' rear spacers help at all ???

should even consider IETHER settup ???

[rougeben83]

don't get S-techs. Too much drop and too little spring rate. It's a purely aesthetic spring (if there was ever such a thing).

[Huffer]

nobody on here says the GR2's don't like lowering springs.

[rougeben83]

nobody on here says the GR2's don't like lowering springs.

They're not optimized for the increased spring rates of most lowering springs; most other car forums suggest NOT to use the GR2 with such springs, but in the case of the BE/BH, it's the only economical new strut available to pair up with springs, so there's no other choice really...

[Illnastyimpreza]

aren't the gr2 rebuildable ??? for free? lifetime warrantee >?

[rougeben83]

aren't the gr2 rebuildable ??? for free? lifetime warrantee >?

Not rebuildable, not sure about the warranty though...it maybe lifetime.

[Huffer]

I've run GR2's on my Impreza for YEARS with King Springs Low...I've had a few heavy loads in the back like brake rotor sets, transmissions, calipers and interior bits. Bit of sag, nothing major.

The struts are still fine, 6 years on, 2 sets of tires later.

[Illnastyimpreza]

I've run GR2's on my Impreza for YEARS with King Springs Low...I've had a few heavy loads in the back like brake rotor sets, transmissions, calipers and interior bits. Bit of sag, nothing major.

The struts are still fine, 6 years on, 2 sets of tires later.

no shit huh ?? How much of a drop on those springs ??

How is the ride ??

I'm looking for something rather comfy for daily driving, with a minor drop in height.

I'm stuck right now between using my friends full o4 sti suspension, and just swapping the shocks with AGX...but it might be WAY too stiff...

or going Legacy GR2 with some H&R lowering springs, or something similar with a semi comfy ride...

whata u think ??

[Huffer]

King Springs Low drops the car around 25-35mm lower.

Here's an illustration:

https://sl-i.net/FORUM/images/imported/2009/04/040305_Lowered_sml-1.jpg

What I think you should do is just bite the bullet and go one way or the other.
People on TWO forums are quite tired of your hopping from foot to foot.