Has anyone noticed if the KYB shocks/struts give a firmer/harsher ride than the OEM ones?

 

Typically people say that it rides just as good, if not better. It's a good brand.

 

I just recently replaced my struts, and used KYB parts. I honestly can't tell much of a difference. I do feel a bit more confident driving on winding roads, but I don't think that's based on 'feel'. I think it's entirely psychological.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
If you keep your feet firmly on the ground, you'll have trouble putting on your pants.

 

To be fair going from old parts to new parts does make it feel better .

 

Heh. I used KYB parts, but they were new. I bought 'em when they were hard to get and so many people were here talking about squeaks and so forth, probably 2 years ago. I still have new shocks for the rear (also KYB's) that I have not installed. I have had some noise, and just decided to go ahead and replace the struts, since I have 153000 miles on the car, but for me, they don't seem to have made a discernable difference.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
A life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing. Every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves: This day let me make a sound beginning, for what we have hitherto done is naught! -- Thomas A. Kempis

 

Hi all, OP here, just to resurrect this thread...I want to see if anyone else has any experiences to add. I do appreciate the responses so far, 100%.
I almost want to ask my mechanic to replace all worn bushings and strut mounting bushings, but the struts themselves are still OK so they probably don't need replacing. He will probably tell me I'm nuts or that it can't be done, maybe its too dicey to try and re-install old struts due to rusted hardware etc etc.
My point is that I have knocking sounds on all 4 corners when hitting small bumps at slow speeds and its been like this for awhile. RDX has 163,000 miles (263K kilometers)
The mechanic runs a franchise location of NAPA AutoPro, so the parts would come from NAPA. (they may end up being KYB, if that's the only brand that makes RDX struts) The RDX has a nice smooth soft ride and I want it to stay that way, and I am paranoid that new struts will give me a harsher ride.
So if anyone else can honestly say that new struts did not provide a harsher ride, and what brand was installed, I would really appreciate it.

 

I installed KYB struts on my 14 RDX Tech (158,000 miles) in September. I do not have a harsher ride; I do not actually notice any difference; I only put them on because I purchased them more than a year prior, and I decided that I will use them (the new KYB struts) for the rest of the life of the car.


RFT!!!
Dave Kelsen
--
"Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions." -- Albert Einstein

 

if you’re that paranoid, go OEM

 

Ditto. That's the best way to keep the car the same without taking any chances on making the car feel different then how you'd like it to feel.