front strut replacement- what do i need?

[Drummer]

Last summer i replaced my rear shocks on my 93 GP with kyb gr2 shocks and well i'm getting annoyed with the difference between the front and rear suspension so i want to know what all i will need to replace the front struts. Thanks.

[jman093]

You will need a special tool that can be rented at the auto parts store usually. Other than that just basic hand tools. They are a piece of cake with the tool. I wouldn't recommend GR2's for the front as they use their own thread pitch on the top of the shock instead of the factory one, so the tool will not work and they become a PIA to change out.

[GOT2B GM]

I have a tool that works fine with the retaining nut that comes with the KYB's

[GOT2B GM]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/OTC-4533/

[chrisflstf]

Thats the right tool, only problem is they are made in China. Mine snapped first time I used it. Bought a Snap-on for $75, much better

[Drummer]

what pieces will i be able to reuse and what pieces should I buy new?

[Schurkey]

Thats the right tool, only problem is they are made in China. Mine snapped first time I used it. Bought a Snap-on for $75, much better

OTC has really gone to hell. Used to be that they were a top-line company. Now they mostly sell J-U-N-K.

[Crazy K]

Different threads? so what? They are not really any harder to change because of it... unless you lack opposeable thumbs.

 

i just stuck KYB front struts in one car and have them in another car. loving them.

[jman093]

Maybe it was just the old kyb's I had on there and they've since changed it, but they were a different thread pitch so the handle wouldn't screw onto them. Yeah I probably could've forced it on, but I didn't want to mess up the handle in my kit.

[white4d96]

I just put KYB's in my car earlier this year with a rental tool from Auto Zone and I don't recall having issues. Except that, I dont't know if there's supposed to be a nut holding the shaft and bump stop down, but my car didn't have one, and the new struts kept trying to push up out of the assembly. I had to force the strut down with one hand and them cram the strut caps over them. That was the biggest PITA of the whole job.

[Crazy K]

The handle doesn't fit, that is true, but that is not impossible to overcome. just grab the top of the shaft, hence my opposeable thumbs comment.

 

I cheat when finally forcing the the strut bushing with shaft in place. lubricate the bushing with tireshine/silicone grease and jack the car up slowly to drive the bushing into place, and it is best to rotate the bushing with the tool (also helps to center it at the same time) on the nut will help make it pop in the hole and seat. sometimes a friend to operate the jack can be a big help.