I've been hearing some clunking noises from both the driver side and passenger side front shocks. I don't really notice bouncing but noise. Therefore, I think my front KYB AGX struts maybe be blown. I'm not too sure of the warranty on them but I've had them for a little over 2 years. Anyway, what are the best and longest lasting aftermarket struts to get? I would really not want to have to deal with this problem in the future if possible. I have H&R and KYB AGX combo on my max. I don't really care about adjusting the shock settings since I hardly did that with my AGXs. Thanks for your help.

 

illuminas... from what i understand...

 

I went to tokico's website. The tokico HP blues are said to be the same quality as the Illuminas except that the Illuminas can be adjusted. Well, since I never really changed the front settings on my AGXs, I might go with the Tokico HPs. Has anyone had any good expereinces with this combo of H&Rs and Tokico HPs?

 

Thats bs cuz I think the blues are of much worse quality. Many say that the Blue's are equivalant to OEM replacements, but I think Nissan's parts are even better. I hear many stories about the Tokico blue's crapping out within MONTHS of installation, especially the fronts. I wish I never made the $350 mistake of buying them in the past. Can't wait til spring to install my Tein coilovers.

 

They reason they blow easy is because everyone tries to lower the car on them and they arent able to handle it.

 

So what would be the best option aside from Tokico Illuminas?

 

Never mind. I just called KYB and it turns out that there is a lifetime warranty on their shocks. Sweet!

 

What is the replacement procedure?

 

Hot damn I didnt know that, do you know if thats only valid if you purchaase thru them or if you purchase their product new from anyone? ( i'll probably get mine via ebay).

 

You can't buy it directly from them, only suppliers. I bought Illuminas on Ebay and got a lifetime warranty certificate. I would imagine the same for KYB.

BTW, if you can afford the extra 50$, go for Illuminas

 

Does it matter whether or not the struts are professionally installed with regards to the warranty? I am also looking for strut replacement that is reliable. My stock ones are squeaking and knocking and crap, it's very embarrassing. As long as they're cheap and last the rest of the life of the car.

 

my friend has illuminas on his MR2...they feel like they did when they were new and have been on there for about 100K miles now....I have heard illuminas are the best quality....not the blues (those are terrible)...lol...

the illuminas are expensive though! I read somewhere back in the day that Tokico or KYB is the OEM shock provider for nissan can't remember which one...

 

Tokico makes the OEM struts for our cars. They are not the same as any of the Tokico aftermarket offerings, however.

 

hmm, learn something new everyday.

 

If you ever pulled out your suspension, you will see its stamped on the OEM struts.

 

Definitely illuminas from what I've heard from many people. I went with the GR2s just cause I don't think I'll be keeping my much longer than a few more years and they do supposedly have a lifetime warranty. Also keep in mind, the Illuminas also give a more comfortable ride so if you're planning on keeping your car for a while the extra money for the Illuminas is definitely worth it.

 

i have the kyb agx's, and i have the instructions and the warranty does not cover lowering the car after a certain threshold. they claim they cnat just buy looking at the piston how much lowered the car was, and they void the warranty if its past a certain point.

 

Ive never known anyone to return KYB's so i dont know how well their Customer Service is but here is their warranty info.... http://www.kyb.com/service/warranty.php

 

i do not know much about them, but has anyone used koni yellows?

 

how would they know if you've lowered the car though? I've blown a front GR2 before. If I could go back in time I would have bought something else.

 

I installed the Ills on my car myself...wasn't very hard. The hardest part is mounting the holes on top in my experience. 2 to 3 people will HELP!! A LOT!!
My brother had the yellows on wrx, he has to cut the stock strut top off and slide them inside the stock encasing. More hard. Also with yellows ya gotta take them off the car to adjust the rears I believe (PITA).
Go with the Illuminas. Feel happy. Feel the ride. It's good.

 

The guy I talked to at KYB said that they can be replaced if used properly and not abused. He said I should find the receipt from where I bought them from and ask those guys first. They could send me replacements first and let me ship back the old ones or pay up front and reimburse me once they receive the old ones. The bad news is that I can't find the file in which I kep the receipt. Luckily, I still have Nick Bauer's number from the group deal a while back. Hopefully, they still have it on file.