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!!!EXTREME DANGER KYB STRUT MOUNTS!!! 200 1990

posted by  someone claiming to be R. G. Sapolich on  Thu Aug 31 18:07 CST 2000 [RELATED]

>>>>>WARNING EXTREME DANGER<<<<<

I have not followed this list for awhile so, I hope this has already been offered. Recently, a pair of KYB strut mounts on my daughter's car failed in a frightening manner. After six mounths and less than 6000 miles the rubber conponents of both sides were tearing and separating from the metal sleeves. I first noticed it when I went to check the oil and saw an 1/8" gap between the rubber and the inner sleeve. I had the keys in my hand so, I used one to probe the depth of this gap. I was shocked to see this cravass swallow the length of my key. Checking the other side, I found a tear in the rubber which ran through about 2/3 of its circumference midway between the inner sleeve and the outer flange. This tear was easily seen by holding a strīng light underneath.

I do not want to be an officious alarmist but, the more I thought about it the more I was compelled to send out a strong warning. IF YOU HAVE KYB STRUT MOUNTS, CHECK THEM! If that vital connection separates on the rebound, the consequences could be deadly! Since I had 2 out of 2 come up lame, I seriously doubt they are the only 2 which are junk.

Because of time constraints and against my better judgement, I was forced to install the KYB's which now come from the biggest junkpile on earth, Taiwan. What really pisses me off is in order to save a few pennies per unit some greedy beancounter placed my sweet baby's life in serious jeopardy!

Check you strut tops and, please, spread the word!

Rich







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    Re: !!!EXTREME DANGER KYB STRUT MOUNTS!!! 200 1990

    posted by  someone claiming to be Paul Seminara on  Fri Sep 1 04:25 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    The discussion digressed a bit.

    Yes the cheapness and warning of the KYB strut mounts has been posted several times. They are indeed veritable pieces of fecal material.

    DO NOT USE KYB STRUT BEARINGS. Shocks ok. Strut bearings bad.

    Please moderator (which I am not) mark R.G.'s post with a redstar of communal humanhood.







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    Re: !!!EXTREME DANGER KYB STRUT MOUNTS!!! 200 1990

    posted by  someone claiming to be John Laser on  Thu Aug 31 18:16 CST 2000 [RELATED]

    Thanks for taking the time to advise us all of your experience.

    I'm a little confused on your term "strut mount". I have a set of KYB's on my '89 744GL and have found them very satisfactory (to this point) and much less in cost than Bilsteins.

    Please explain, if you would, what exactly failed. Was it the rubber grommet at the top of the shock tower (turn table) or some componet of the shock itself. I have a wife and four children (twin 2 year olds, 4 and 8 year olds) that ride in that car. I won't compromise their safety either!

    Thanks again.







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      Re: !!!EXTREME DANGER KYB STRUT MOUNTS!!! 200 1990

      posted by  someone claiming to be R.G. Sapolich on  Thu Aug 31 18:43 CST 2000 [RELATED]

      John,

      Sorry. In my ire I must have fell victim to the use of a colloquialism. The component to which I am referring is termed the "Strut Bearing (upper mount)" in the Bentley manual. Locally, the parts guys call it a strut bearing plate, strut top or, of course, a strut mount. It is the composite rubber and steel part which mounts to the strut tower and which locates the top of the strut.

      Over a period of 20 years I have used KYB struts and shocks a half dozen times on various 240's. Looking back on this, I have concluded that they are a false economy because they are so short-lived compared to the Volvo OEM pats or those made by Boge. Now, to me at least, there is a more immediate reason to avoid their products.

      Rich






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