Rear Shock/strut replacement on 97 Q45 Y33

[bullittandy]

Thought I'd start a brief thread about the replacement of the rear struts/shocks on my 97 Q. I've got the car apart now and so far the job is easy as pie. 4 bolts each side in the trunk and 1 big bolt on the bottom of the strut tower. Nothing much to report just some info for future seacrhers who are wondering if they sould do this themselves-you should.

On a side note-I'm replacing the original struts (240k) and should have done it 3 months ago when they were $121 each, they are now $171!! -$100 gone b/c I'm lazy/distractable.

[Q45tech]

Having driven for the past 45 years and maintained large fleets of basic cars for 35 of those years I learned that shocks have tripled in life from 70's to now.

What use to be a 24,000 life now approaches 75,000 miles.

Failure to budget new shocks every 4 years [depending on annual mileage] leaves you wanting.

Even electric cars will still require shocks!

[Sanger]

I been debating on when I should do mine. Rear is fine but the front will need it.

Here is a link for the KYB Special SR set at 475.

http://www.memoryfab.com/produ...on_11/

[bullittandy]

Having driven for the past 45 years and maintained large fleets of basic cars for 35 of those years I learned that shocks have tripled in life from 70's to now.

What use to be a 24,000 life now approaches 75,000 miles.

Failure to budget new shocks every 4 years [depending on annual mileage] leaves you wanting.

Even electric cars will still require shocks!

I'm not sure how to measure the improvement in new struts, I've now replaced both the front and rear (at separate times) and the noticable difference was small.

On a related note-$475 for four struts is an awesome deal considering the OEM are $900-thats a big savings.

[Sanger]

I was going to buy the OEM inserts for my 98 Q about a month ago but within a week the price changed by $50 each.

So I been researching and according to KYB in Japan there are three firmer shocks that they make for the Q (FGY33). One is the NEW SR Special that is unoffically imported. Another is Super Special (adjustable and firmer). Another is Lowfer (same firmness as NEW SR Special but for lowering application).

Regarding the new OEM before and after, did you try to pull the shaft in/out with the old and new? My front struts felt shot but when on the car it passes the bounce test. I am used to European suspension feel so I most likely will go with SR special soon.

[Q45tech]

Rebound stiffness can only be measured via a shock dyno since it is pretty impossible for any human to pull up the rear bumper a full 3" in 0.3 seconds exactly, same with front.

Gravity helps pushing down but you must lift 1400 pounds per inch on the upstroke test. The downward test is only twice the spring rate 280-300 pounds per inch..................lots of difference.

Rebound or expansion is 2-3 times stiffer than compression which falls [fails] at 1/2 the rate. Compression is pretty meaningless in how the vehicle feels in handling only applies to a speed bump.

[maxnix]

Having driven for the past 45 years and maintained large fleets of basic cars for 35 of those years I learned that shocks have tripled in life from 70's to now.

What use to be a 24,000 life now approaches 75,000 miles.

I had a 1977 accord, with 1976 being the first year of production. The shocks were toast after the first year and 18K miless. I replaced with Bilstien gas charged by modifying the front struts by welding on a receptacle threaded ring to hold the strut insert, all part of the Bilstein kit. It took precision cutting and welding of the MacPherson front strut body, so it would not be allowed by today's company attorneys for fear of liability issues.

My 1990 Acura Legend is still on its original shocks at 187K miles. Why? Because the are not gas charged but double actring tube and all the seals are good and they are still stiff.

[maxnix]

I am used to European suspension feel so I most likely will go with SR special soon.

You will not be disappointed with the SR Specials. The only thing I found confounding with the Standard FGY33 setup is it had exceptional roll stiffness, but too much pitch moment. The Eibachs helped greatly, but the combination initially was a little jiggly, like an ae or t set on full stiff all the time. By 5K it had smoothed out to be quite acceptable.

[grip1968]

Hey Bullit, were did you purchase your struts from, I'm looking for a front pair for my 97 Q45

[bullittandy]

I bought them from infinitipartsusa.com

check out the link for the KYB's, they are way cheap compared to stock. However, KYB's have a horrible rep with the Mustang crowd but we Q45's have no choice.

[grip1968]

Do you have the link

[Sanger]

I bought them from infinitipartsusa.com

check out the link for the KYB's, they are way cheap compared to stock. However, KYB's have a horrible rep with the Mustang crowd but we Q45's have no choice.

I thought the OEMs were made by KYB?

[maxnix]

I thought the OEMs were made by KYB?

The FGY33 are made by KYB, the G50 by Tokico.