Just a quick note:

I have noticed some negative opinions regarding KYB shocks and strut cartridges lately - some formed by experience, many more by hearsay and prejudice.

Yesterday, I replaced the shocks and strut inserts on my father's '91 245. The rear shocks were KYB Gas-A-Just, and they had 10 years and over 75,000 miles on them. For half of those miles, I was the driver; back then, I hit a LOT of potholes and unseen speed bumps, as well as running off the road once or twice. The KYB Gas-A-Just shocks that came off, compressed (by hand) and rebounded almost exactly the same as the brand new Gas-A-Justs I installed. If they weren't so cheap, I would have saved the shocks that came off!

In comparison, the Gabriel strut inserts up front, which have been in service for about the same amount of time, were destroyed. One was so blown out that the shaft flopped in and out.

I installed new Gas-A-Justs in the rear and KYB GR2 (only they are called something else now) in the front, and the suspension is compliant, yet controlled.

When the time comes to replace the Sachs Advantage shocks and struts in my own car, I will absolutely buy the always "Made in Japan" KYBs for significantly less money.

When I bought my Sachs Advantage shocks/struts (about 7 years ago), FCP Groton still had their old website and proudly advertised the fact that the shocks were still made in Germany. When they arrived, they said "Made in Mexico," IIRC. I called to complain, and FCP sent a new batch made in Germany. I am guessing that they were in the middle of a transition.

My KYBs have always said "Made in Japan."

Not that country of origin means much anymore, but it does say something when it changes all of a sudden.

Where are KYBs made, now? In Japan, hopefully? Not China or Mexico?

Bilstein Touring for struts do very nicely. Unsure whether Bilstein Touring shocks still rattle on the upper shock mount stud.

The Bilstein HDs won't fit at all into the 1990 (and maybe a year or so earlier on the 240s) with the tapered strut tubes (includes the ABS tubes). Some have shaved the Bilstein HD yellow paint and possibly the strut cartridge metal to get these to fit.

Sachs is made in Mexico Boge, yet not Boge quality at all we in the U.S. could get made in Europa Boge like a decade or more ago. I bought a set of made in Mexico Sachs Advantage from iPd (what iPd calls Boge Turbo Gas) strut cartridges. The Sachs gland nuts would not torque and were maligned. I re-used the Boge gland nuts I removed when taking out the failed factory installed Boge Turbo Gas that came with the 1990 240 DL wagon.

Not enough miles to tell the outcome on these Made in Mexico Sachs Advantage. Your story, Uncle 42, us disconcerting.

Bilstein Touring struts are a less compliant (stiffer ride) than the Made in Mexico Sachs Advantage. They've lasted for two years yet not a whole lot of miles. They are a good deal stiffer than the for real made in Europa Boge Turbo Gas.

I had the KYB Gas-a-just shocks on my 242 GT for a decade and they made an pretty fine match with the Koni orange or red struts from 1989 to 2000. Both were stiff as they day as they were new, nearly.

I installed the KYB Gas-a-just in May-June 2001 as shocks with Bilstein HDs in the front on my 1991 240 sedan. The KYBs were in a slow fade since install. These KYBs were about gone at just under 40+k in a decade.

The KYB Gas-a-just are a monotube high pressure like the Bilstein and nearly mythological de Carbons found on Turbo 240s in the junkyard now, I guess (I have a pair of de Carbon junkyard pulls from the 1990s that are like new from an 84 245 Turbo and also won't fir the 1989+ or so tapered 240 strut tubes).

Not futzed with the low pressure GR-2s. They felt cheap like Gabriel or Monroe.

Don't use KYB bushings, certainly the 240 strut mounts. Use only Volvo OEM strut mounts (Now made by Boge, again).

cheers,

dud.
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Thank you, George Washington Carver, for peanut butter!

hello all
actually the rear KYBs i installed are better than the fronts.
i dont know where they were made but when i throw them out i will take a look.
im glad your experience was better than mine.
the struts inserts feel like steel rods.
its going to be difficult and all ready is to find good parts for our old cars.
Mike

Another choice?
On e bay there is a Volvo - SAAB parts place called Swedish Lights and Lenses (or something similar) who have a number of parts made in Estonia, including a strut/shock kit for 240 series made by Aveo? in Estonia. About $90, gas charged. No strut tower bearings included or sold. They have the tower bearings for SAAB. ANYWAY, I have read somewhere that these are KONI semi clones or licensed products. Looked for reviews, saw comments on Turbobricks, but no actual reviews. Located near Chicago, probably direct import, which could help explain the reasonable price - jump a few links in the supply chain and you save a LOT of money. Comments?

My experience with the "Made in Estonia" shocks was dismal; dead in 3,000 miles. The struts are still alive but much more compliant than they were 6,000 miles ago. I would avoid them.

I've had nothing but good experience with Gas-A-Just shocks. Many cars, many sets (but never the need to replace a set on any one of said cars)

The issues I've heard have almost all been with regard to KYB stut insterts.. even those, though, have been fine in my experience. And I'm very abusive to shocks and struts.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Not looking forward to this job. Not the labor, but the decision process. Opinions abound when it comes to shocks and struts.

Made in Japan > Made in Mexico

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'90 245 290k, '93 945 296k

Next time I think I'll go for KYBs. I just had Sachs Advantage (made in Mexico) front inserts installed a few months ago, and one of them is not damping at all already -- if I do the bounce test the car just keeps bouncing on the bad corner. FCP have been excellent about sending out a replacement, but I'm still out for the labor.