So, I gave my car an alignment with Akumachan last weekend. First try, way overcompensating, there was toe out, positive camber, the car drove like a nightmare. So we tried again and surprisingly got it just about perfect, maybe 1.5deg negative camber and toe-in was reduced significantly. The car handled quite a bit better afterwards as well (which was strange, since we were reducing negative camber) but I believe that had to do with the toe reduction.

Anyway, after a day or so I noticed a bunch of fishy behavior. It seemed like my front passenger strut was seized whenever I hit an undulation, the frame would rattle around. Also, I noticed extra road noise and a "grinding" noise upon acceleration. We finally jacked the car up, took off the wheel and found.... nothing. Nothing was loose or dislodged and the camber bolts we had just installed were fine. However, the dust boot and bump stop on the strut were shot to ****--you could see the entire strut rod. I think the gas portion of the strut has somehow been effectively eliminated and the oil is the only part that I'm riding on, so it transfers a lot more noise into the cabin (somewhat explaining the grinding and road noise) and doesn't give at all.

So I called a place, $155 to rebuild a strut and $145 for a new yellow. I was also looking into third gen reds, but I a) don't know how well they fit and b) don't like that they're not as firm.

What would be required to use third gen reds on my car (besides the reds)? And who has actually done this?

 

I thought koni's have a lifetime warranty?

 

Only for the first owner; I didn't put them on the car. Also, the warranty is for defects, not wear.

 

NO ONE can tell me what it would take to fit 3rd gen reds on my car?

 

JSutter put 3rd gen reds on his car I believe, try asking him.

 

they should fit right into the strut housing. only difference is that its not adjustable and is also shorter than the yellows. im not sure about stiffness. ask JSutter on that.

 

3rd gen Reds are not externally adjustable, but they are adjustable. You just have to take them off the car to adjust them.

Also, Reds are more comfort-oriented than Yellows.

 

Yeah I'm considering the reds mostly because my springs brought about the demise of my current Konis. I think I'm going to wind up getting a new set of Progress springs (mine have god knows how many miles on 'em, probably about 90k) and new set of Konis (about 100k on mine currently). I want everything, decent handling but soaks up bumps decently as well--say around 50/50. Firmness is ok. Not liking that the Reds aren't externally adjustable but it's not like I adjusted my previous Konis anyway. Rebound can only do so much.

Also, the reds are about $10-15 cheaper per strut than the Yellows. I suppose I can just somehow yank the current Konis out of my front housings and they're good to go for the next set of inserts?

JSutter, any insight?