KYB shocks/struts

[Honolulu]

Hello all... I'm back on the road in the '73 after riding my K100RS for some time. The car rides much more harshly than I recall.

The rear shocks are KYB; I don't know what's in the front struts but assume the same brand. The shocks/struts haven't frozen as I can still deflect each corner of the car by leaning on it, but the harshness has me thinking maybe it's time for new dampers all around. Or should I reduce tire pressure substantially (NOT).

These shocks and struts have been onboard since I bought the car somewhere around 20 years ago. I guess the good new is that they haven't gone soft...

A forum search for "KYB" and another for "Kayaba" brought up nothing, but I recall some mention of them before.

Anyone?

 

[tmason]

Hi Honolulu
I put a set on replacing the 40 year old original ones and they are alittle harsh but I also at the same time went to 16" wheels so I'm thinking it's a combo of both?I'll know for sure when I put Bilsteins on in a couple of years.
Tim

 

[Stevehose]

When researching cheaper options to Bilsteins I remember reading here that KYB's were nicknamed "kick your butt" for their harshness. Ultimately I plunked down the extra coin for Bilsteins.

 

[Bwana]

Yes, I have them on my Roadster. Not too bad but I always thougth it was "keep your Bilsteins"

 

[Honolulu]

Okay, gents, thanks for your thoughts.

Billies it should be, and I welcome any recommendations as to a source that might meet my frugal tendencies.

IIRC from a forum search, Coupeking stated "my favorite suspension is Bilstein comfort shocks in front and HD rears".

BilsteinUSA lists HD rears P/N 24-008136 46 mm gas monotube shocks for 3.0CS.

Front 36 mm gas monotube Comfort strut inserts that appear to fit, come up as F4-P36-0228-H0 for the E12, are those correct? Some previous threads suggest that P/N is NLA. Seems I should get my fingers doing some walking.

 

[bavbob]

I have a PDF "Bilstein shock finder at a glance" which agrees with your number for the back and has 34000243 as the only listing for the front. Both are still available. I called Bilstein recently because they listed only sports for the rear of my E3 and HD for the front. I confirmed that HD and sport are the same shock, sport is shorter for use with lowering springs. Because only sport was listed for the rear, they said that means the HD and Sport were so close in length, you can turn the Sport into an HD by using the top spring perch....worked out perfectly.

BAv Auto has $137/107 for front and back resepctively. I usually find them the cheapest (no affiliation BTW).