Las Vegas TLS

I want to upgrade the struts without lowering the car. I am wondering, for the money what is the best strut manufacturer for the price. I have heard the Tokico Illumina'a are good but don't last very long, maybe 30K. I would like to be able to get at least 50K. Koni?, KYB?

I want to keep the stock springs and replace the struts.

I own a 02' TLS but these struts would be for my 94' Civic and the struts are worn out

What does everone think?

ZodiakTL

uhm... i think u'll have a hard time getting struts for the TL, cuz it uses shocks :p , but koni seems to be the best choice if u don't get coilovers. i'm not sure if KYB makes shocks for out TL's. also, ur springs will probably give out much quicker, because they will be under a lot more stress, so just keep that in mind.

silver-s

You want these for your Civic not your TL. I do not have an answer but I think people are going to only think you need them for your TL by mistake.

VG

ZodiakTL

hmm.. shouldve finished reading the last sentece... oops

Las Vegas TLS

Yea they are for my Civic. I was just curious what people thought and if anyone had real good luck with any certain brand? I have heard alot more negitive than positive about Tokico and was looking for a good manufacturer with about the same price as the Tokico. I think the set of four struts was about $430 for the Illuminas. Koni, or others?

cforez

Try Bilstein HD. As good as Koni, but costs less.

EricL

I looked on the Bilstein page and they didn't even have a listing for Acura Cl/TL/CLS/TLS, but they said the had shocks in development for the Accord.

Care to comment -- please?

chriswoods

Hi I'm looking at replacing struts on a 2000 Acura tl and need to decide if its being done anyway - should the springs be done at the same time?
this car has 1000 000 miles on it,
whatdoyouthink??

If I proceed what's the best sensible strut spring combo to purchase??

chris

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

Do you want to lower the car?

If not, you do not need to buy new springs. Springs outlast the life of the car.

KYB GR2 shocks are a good, reasonably priced OEM replacement.

beatphats

If you're looking for just OE replacements, KYB GT2 & H&R Springs.

fsttyms1

Unless you are looking to lower it all you need is shocks.

dudeinaTL

iTrader: (1)

1 million miles?

HondaProtegeX2.3

Tokico Blues i heard are pretty reliable and smooth. i think eibachs with Tokico blues would be a nice setup. but if your not going to lower it if you can get a good deal on some new oem ones that would be the best

Bearcat94

Just what I did a few weeks ago - kept the OE springs.

Went with NAPA/Monroe SensaTrak though. ~$85 each. Nothing against KYB or any others, just needed something I could pickup that day.

bonknhead

KYB GR2s are a great OEM replacement shock and are inexpensive.

speedstar

Go with koni

hANDYcaptd

iTrader: (5)

Koni's are unnecessary if someone is looking for an OE replacement.

fsttyms1

Still cant go wrong with them and you will have a better ride, that and Bilstein

V_Langs_3.2TL

I have koni yellow.

I know that isn't what they're after, but they are quality shocks.

The ride has improved 100x since I got the HR Race/Koni Yellow combo

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

And the KONI's are on sale until May.

rjheiss

If you figure on paying the labor for the install, KONIs might be more expensive, but look at the total picture.

RC99TL

I have had the KYB GR2 and felt they were softer in the front than the oem -seemed to help reduce understeer though. Found them a bit underdampened overall for the weight of our car and they wore out quickly and got harsh at about 30 thou. I replaced them with the tokico blues and like them and at 50 thousand are still pretty smooth. Got rid of that subtle "second bounce" from the rear you feel every once in a while on those rolling bumps.

TL

It seems like HR Race/Koni Yellow/Tokico Blues are getting good recommendations. But are they suitable with stock springs (ie: no drop)?

RC99TL

Stock springs and wheels. Conti Extreme Contact DWS 225-55-16
Sweet combo

03tLsNBP

iTrader: (9)

im selling my OEM springs and struts right now. but they have 103K miles on them


honestly, they could probably last till 175k miles, maybe more. do you really need to change your shocks at 100k?

fsttyms1

I guarantee your shocks are worn out or on their last leg. They typically start wearing out around 50k. Just because your car isnt bouncing down the road doesnt mean they arent worn

nguts0n

i recently replaced mine with KYB GR2s and I am pretty satisfied with it. Plus they weren't that expensive.

Comet2404

I'm having to replace my front struts on my 02 TLS now. Right now I am just planning on having the stock OEM put in. I see no reason to get a pair of struts that will only last me 25-50K when the Acura ones have made it through 150,000 miles of Atlanta's roughest roads.

I am considering the Tokico Blue and the KYG as a replacement though. I'm not looking to drop the car, and I really just want my suspension to have that stock feeling (stiff, tough, yet able to endure the terrible road conditions here in ATL), which is why I bought a Type S. Maybe the Acura ones are the best for me. I always let them put the same stuff back in my car anyways - why change it now?

Gee702

I've had konis in my civic and it was great lasted over 5 years and still got them in storage lol. I even ran billstein with H&R springs that felt good too. But Koni FTW!

V_Langs_3.2TL

^Agreed there. My Konis have about 15k miles on them (well the two that are left that is) but they're pretty perfect.

If I didn't get into an accident and compromise the fronts I'd probably still have them today. Since I wanted to have the option of lowering it more I went with coils this time around. considering how koni yellows and FF1s are about the same price

bonknhead

Konis are the best shock, no doubt. But if you're on a budget Tokico HPs - aka "blues" are good alternative. I've had mine for over two years and 20k miles. They work well with my H&R sport springs.

Excelerate

iTrader: (1)

Tokico HP shocks are a great OE replacement, especially for those who are on lowering springs.

And KONI is having a great sale on their Sport Shocks until the end of May; these are one of the best shocks on the market. They offer different perches so you can lower the vehicle an additional 20mm and they offer damping adjustment.

If you need either one check out our website for pricing and more info.

Comet2404

Update for my 02TLS, I just had my front struts replaced with OEM at the dealership. Wow, can I ever feel a difference. It's like my car is brand new again! Very happy!