After of just learning of the new KYB struts for our vehicles, I'm leaning towards the parts for replacement over OEM.. Has anyone tried the new struts and if so , hopefully they helped to stiffen the ride up a bit. Any feedback appreciated .

 

Following this!

 

All I can say is I replaced all four struts on my 1999 Honnda CR-V at 118,000 miles in 2010 thinking "they must be worn".

Well the KYB's that replaced them were worse as far as the quality of the ride went. Of course that was back then and obviously, different struts.

 

I purchased a 2018 base awd rdx with only 12k miles. Loved the ride on the test drive, but the roads were fairly smooth. Now driving where I live, lots of ridges, manhole depressions, bumpy road repairs....not so good. The thing that bothers me the most is the "ka---lump" sound from the rear wheels. You don't just feel the bump, but all that movement from the suspension. Most cars I have owned , you feel a "thump" and its over....even my 2017 Gti with a firm suspension feels lots better. I upped the tire pressure on the rdx to 40 and its a little better....have to solve this. Will look into the KYB's. Wish there was more info.

 

I had the same issue with my 2018, which I bought with just under 12K miles. When I hit a bump, particularly at higher speeds, I felt like the rear end of the car would about lose conact with the road. My local dealer found nothing, but didn't look very hard. I took it back to my selling dealer and told them I felt unsafe in the car. They found a defective rear shock and replaced both under warranty. It made a huge difference.

So I am on stock Acura shocks. When it comes time to replace them on my dime, I may go KYB, but for now my problem is solved.

You may have to be persistent and help them experience the issue. I do a lot of interstate driving, and that was where it really showed up. 40 mph and under, not so much so.

 

Bought my 1015 model with 24 ,000 miles and shortly afterwards one of the back OEM shocks went south. Replace the part and still didn't like the ride that much. I then purchased 2 of the KYB rear shocks and was pleasantly surprised, the ride
was much better. I now have 94,000 miles and when driving the front of the car bounces when going over rough road, I do a lot of interstate driving with my job calling on furniture manufacturers in different stats. I'm going to wait it out and hopefully
acquire the new front struts KYB has started into production.

 

Dang, that's an old car; it probably wouldn't even run if it wasn't a Honda!


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
"When people ask you what happened here, tell them the North remembers. Tell them Winter came for House Frey." -- Arya Stark

 

Which one? The 1999 CRV with 188k? That's not old. For Honda, that's just getting started. You start thinking about old after the second timing belt at 210k

 

Well, he said it was a 1015 model.....


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
There are only two types of people I hate; Those that are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch.

 

I've got KYB shocks on the rear of my 2016 Advance Package. I couldn't find anything but OEM for the front struts - so I just went with those - and there were zero quick struts available, so the front springs are all Original to the vehicle. I can't say that the KYB's are that much better than the "stock" ride, but they feel really solid. That's probably not much help...good luck.

Kendal

 

I have the KYB shocks and really think they are much better than OEM. Still waiting on the KYB struts. Was reading where one of the suppliers, think auto geek had a listing that the KYB struts would be available toward the end of September.
I'll wait for those before going OEM ..and the price tag is also much better.

 

Parts Geek now have the KYB front struts in stock. Have ordered a set and should have them next week and then will check with a local jobber to make the install for me. Will report back how this works out,

 

Are they the quick struts, that include the spring, or just the struts themselves?

 

In the pictures, there are no springs on the struts. I cannot find any other kind of description, but for the price, I would bet that the picture is accurate, and the part does not include the spring.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
Long ago, my dad warned me that it's a dog-eat-dog world. Well, years of experience have led me to believe that it's just the opposite.

 

No the struts do not include the springs, I will use the old springs while replacing just the struts ,,cost from Parts Geek amounted to around 75 bucks per side. Have 96,000 mile on the ride as of today. Just replace the timeing belt and water pump front brakes and rotors and getting ready for the next 100,000 miles ,.

 

I just had the new KYB Excel-G front struts installed on my 2017 RDX FWD with 38,000 miles on it. I am very happy with the increased control and steering feel over the stock struts. They feel slightly stiffer. The KYBs are much more cost effective than the Acura struts.

 

Indy has my car to make the install tomorrow. Hope that I have the same good things to say afterwards. Might I ask , where did you purchase your set?

 

I bought them at Rock Auto one at a time. They seem scarce.

 

Is it necessary to have an alignment performed after have the struts installed? I have owned a few autos back in my younger years, when I could do the work, that didn't require such.

 

It probably wouldn't hurt to get one.

 

I did not have a n alignment done with the install but plan to when I have my winter tires installed. The 2017 RDX front strut suspension is just like the ones you used to do.

 

Just picked my ride up after the install of the KYB Front Struts. I am pleased to say, I like the difference. Front of the car is much stiffer than before and handles much better now. Took the RDX over some twisty turns and really like the difference. The ride is
a bit harsher, but that is exactly what was needed . I like a responsive suspension and that doesn't happen with out some give and take. Wish there were heavier rear sway bar systems for these autos also to help take of that part as well. Not as stiff as the BMW 525i
with the heavy duty Bilstiens , but wishing it was..Had to replace the strut mounts and have the car realigned for the tune of 228.00 plus the cost of struts which came to 168.00. Way cheaper than the OEM from Acura. .My 2 Cents,,Yep liking it I am,,KYB's in all 4 corners now.

 

Hi Poolman,


I am glad you are happy with your new struts. My rear set up consists of the KYB gas adjust shocks and custom stock height custom springs (about 32% stiffer than stock) from Springworks.com. They were not cheap and did nothing for the "stance" of my RDX but they did reduce understeer so handling is much improved and the ride is still reasonable.

 

Hi Poolman,
I've been trying to order strut mounts but every Acura dealership says they are on backorder with no ETA from Acura. Can you let me know where you bought yours?
Thanks!

 

I got all my "ancillary" parts from this site: https://www.hondaacurapartsdirect.com/

And to whoever asked about having an alignment done - YES, you NEED to get one after you install new suspension parts, unless you REALLY like buying tires. Think of it this way - I can spend $150 for an alignment (or @ that much) or I can spend $600-$800 on tires because I was too frugal to spend $$ on the alignment.

 

So, the rule of thumb is if you're changing ride height with suspension components, you ought to get an alignment. This typically refers to people lowering or lifting their car.

If you are replacing the OEM shocks and struts with new OEM shocks and struts, your ride height shouldn't be changing significantly enough to warrant an alignment. (Unless, your old ones have been completely blown and sagging, and they've been like that long enough to be aligned in that manner).

Is it up to your personal preference? Of course. Though in my experience across Hondas and Acuras, when you're simply swapping the shocks+struts (with OEM replacements), you don't need to throw your money away with an alignment. (This is also assuming the other components of your suspension are not worn or damaged).

Just my two cents.

 

Back a few years ago, I would have installed the struts myself. Pushing 70 now and not wanting to do the job, and indy was the right choice. I do not know where he acquired the strut mounts. Front end was aligned and drives very nice over the Mt roads in my area of the state of Va. Very happy with the purchase Just checked Parts Geek and they have a few sets of these front struts still in stock,,,that's the place I purchased my set.

 

I've found all the parts except the mounts, on backorder everywhere with no ETA

 

Have you tried NAPA or one of the other auto stores? You don't have to use just the Acura parts. Auto zone has them , and pretty sure you can find them else where as well. Don't have to use the OEM part unless your thinking they are better in some
way...in most cases there not,,take brake rotors for instance.

 

There no aftermarket strut mounts that I could find, seems to be strictly OEM parts...thanks for the suggestions though, I will keep looking