abusive

Has anyone had any luck finding replacement a-spec shocks? So far I've been able to find the rears and front right but not the front left. Approching 80k on my original aspec and think they're due for a replacement.

oo7spy

Have you checked eBay? What about our board vendors like oemacurapartstim?

stevieray

Then you got the last 3 A-Spec shocks in the known universe. LF has been manufacturer discontinued for about a year. Lack of replacements kept me from buying a set. Don't know if the '09 thru '12 shocks will work, I asked that question on here and got crickets and smartass answers.

Kudos to Honda for making a part with limited to no replacements. Gotta love that visionary thinking.

oo7spy

There are replacements. You can replace them with OEM. Turns out, there are no requirements for producing accessories.

I was probably one of the smart ass responders to your KB2 questions (see 1st paragraph). The KB2 does have different specs, but we have since learned that the mounts are no different between the chassis. You get a higher dampening and spring rate, but you go back to stock hieght. You can use the H&R to go lower, but you can do that with KB1 struts as well.

stevieray

OK, so there is a difference between the ride height if the A-Spec shocks and the KB2 OEMs? Are you recommending that he replace his A-Specs with KB1 OEMs to maintain the A-Spec drop? OTOH, I'm surprised that his original OEM A-Specs are gone after 80K, I had the original shocks on my '95 Legend at 205K and they were fine although I did have to replace the rears on my RL at 75K but I suspect the damage was done before the car was de-PAX'd, damn PAX tires and wheels were HEAVY.

007, I'm just glad someone has some usable info on this subject.

oo7spy

I got my '95 Legend at 114k miles. The car bottomed out on speed bumps and dips every time. At the same time, I received compliments from the back seat about ride quality. Around 140k, the right rear completely failed and I replaced all 4 with Monroe OEM equivalent. The difference was remarkable. I would say the number of times I bottomed out after replacing the shocks went down 75%. Strut/shock degradation is a slow process similar to grey hairs. You don't realize the difference over time until you dye your hair back to one solid color. There really is no possible way your shocks at 205k miles could have performed similar to brand new ones. Monroe suggests 50k mile replacement intervals. I think 100k is the max of expected performance. 80k isn't a shock to me. (Pun intended.)

To be clear, there is no factory option accessory (Aspec) for the KB2 suspension.

As far as the KB1/KB2 comparison, the stock ride height is the same or negligible. The KB1 stock suspension is softer than KB2. The KB1 Aspec is 3/4" lower than stock and quite a bit stiffer. It is likely stiffer than the KB2, but the KB2 is probably closer to ASpec than stock KB1. Keep in mind that the ASpec suspension uses different springs AND shocks, but you can move the springs to maintain the drop. Springs should never need replacing.

The best option for the OP, now that I think about it, is probably to replace only the strut/shock and keep the ASpec springs. There really is no need to replace the springs as mentioned previously. The options for that today seem to be KB1 stock struts, KB2 stock struts, or KYB aftermarket struts. My GUESS is that the KB2 stock struts will be closest to KB1 ASpec. However, you could buy 2 or 3 sets of KYBs for the price of either stock option.

stevieray

Oh, I don't disagree that the 205K struts on my Legend were as stiff as new but they all passed the "bounce test" and had no leaks. I tend to think OEM stuff back then was of higher quality than what we get now. This is the same car that had OEM axles that lasted 150K. Back on point. that's kind of where I was going with that whole discussion, that the best OEM solution for the OP would be A-Spec springs with KB2 struts. That would be exactly what I'd do if I could lay hands on a set of A-Spec springs.

However, since I've already found a KB1 Mugen exhaust this year, I think my luck at finding unicorns has been exhausted.

oo7spy

Aspec springs are not unicorns. A good number have been on sale here from members who wanted the updated struts but the lower profile that H&R provides leaving spare ASpec springs laying around. Check the black market or make a "want to buy" thread there. (Doing so here will just get locked/deleted.)

stevieray

Good to know. I'll post up there and see if anyone has a set laying around. Thanks!

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

I'll have a set of Aspec springs available in mid July when my coilovers come in..

stevieray

Thank you, sir. LMK when that happens and we'll try to do some business.

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Sounds good.

M T L T L

What if I told you Unicorns exist ? I have a set of A-spec springs collecting dust.

abusive

So, after nights of searching it seems like the aspec shocks are the unicorn for our car. I even managed to find a mugen lip kit....

I did find mugen sport suspension but can't find any technical info on them such as the ride height and stiffness. Any one have any knowledge on them?

oo7spy

PM ChocBoyWonder if he doesn't show up. He got his hands on a set, but I don't know if he ever installed. I can't recall any members with them on here.

Why not swap the shocks/struts with KYB or stock and keep the springs?

ChocBoyWonder

iTrader: (1)

After my search, I doubt that lip kit exists as I have found a couple places that advertise but in fact have none. If you do know they in fact have it, please share.

As for the Mugen, I found a set year before last and I did put it on. I switched the springs for the H&R springs and the ride was real nice. Im not sure of the specs, but I believe similar to Aspec. I will be selling the Mugen struts with H&R springs as well as the mugen springs. I just been too busy.

abusive

The lip kit was on yahoo Japan auction. I think it came up when I searched under "kb1 mugen 2007". It was used but looked in great shape. If I can find the specific auction page again, I'll post it here.

ChocBoyWonder

iTrader: (1)

Ah ok, if its a used one I understand. Brand new are becoming scarce. I need a new front lip but not interested in shelling out 6 bills for a new one and cant find a shop willing to fix mine.