Strut inserts for super strut???? Help!!

[TERRA Operative]

Ok, so my AE101 superstruts are stuffed and leaking oil...

I've got a spare set of struts that I'm going to convert to coilovers with those sleeve thingos, but I have no idea as to what strut inserts to use.
Something like adjustable KYB's or similar will be cool, but can I use the ones from a non superstrut AE101?
I have been scouring the internet, but there is no info on replacement inserts at all. I don't even know what fits. My stock struts are KYB branded, so that's a start...


HELP!!!

[gixer]

I have an AE111 with superstrut. I too have checked the internet top to toe, there are NO inserts to suit the standard superstruts. That doesn't mean you can't remove the original internals and find something to fit. You will notice that half way down the strut is 'crimped', this would have to be pushed out to suit the new insert.

I have just got some brand new KYB climb gear short stroke shocks for my car. If you look around for NEW front shocks you will be shocked(ha ha) at how mmuch they cost!!! The springs I have give a 40mm front drop and a 30mm rear drop.

I guess it would be a matter of ripping out the stock internals, grabbing a monroe catalog and using all the dimensional data at the back of the catalog on all their inserts to see what will fit.

[TERRA Operative]

Yea that's what I'm hoping to do, just got to find something to fit..... I have both struts ripped down, and just need an insert.

That's where I'm stuck. no catalogues list the superstrut and none I've seen have dimensions...

I'll check out the monroe catalogue.

[thechuckster]

I have a monroe catalog that has dimensions - you could use it to find an similar car then choose a better brand of strut insert.

[TERRA Operative]

Yea, I've ordered a catalogue from monroe so I'll have a look when it arrives.

Damn superstrut!!!

[Cuts]

ill add something to this thread as its superslut related.
well i decided a couple of months ago i needed new shocks because mine were more then shagged.
anywho tangla got some sone kyb super special for street adjustable shocks, i decided against changing the tubes because well of those crimps, and the fact i think its better to pay the extra and get the proper aftermarket setup ready to roll, and its got warrenty etc.
they were costly because of the SS, for all 4 struts inc postage was $1850 from memory.

and the difference...fucking awsome, i wish i got them 3 years ago when i got the car. Cant rate them highly enough. (i did also put new bump stops in and raised the car 15mm (although you cant tell to look at it)

enough talking smack you get the idea.
KYB Climb gears are supposed to be a quality middle of the range shock.

[TERRA Operative]

So did you change the whole strut over? Do you remember the part numbers?
Probably different for the Celica, but I can probably use it as a start...


My other idea was to get a replacement complete strut from a mcpehrson strut, and swap over the superstrut linkage from the super strut strut. Bu I don't know how hard it would be to take off...

[TERRA Operative]

Talked to a suspension shop today (apparently a pretty good one too) they were really helpful, and said that the stock super struts can be sent to a guy in Sydney to be converted to coilovers, to any amount of reduction in height, adjustable damping, and spring rates of my choice.
Basically I send the struts, pay $1600 (plus shipping) and I get a set of fully functional, adjustable coilovers, made to my personal specifications.

I think I'll be doing that, does it seem a reasonable price?

The shop said they could rebuild my struts, and even install coilover sleeves (supplied by me) with the struts shortened a little, but it would cost $600 just for the fronts with no adjustability to damping rate.

What do you guys think? I need to rebuild my suspension (almost the whole lot, except the rear bushes, which I've done) anyway, so something's getting done no matter what.

[chiksluvit]

sounds good.. is it heasman by any chance?

[jonathan yee]

$1600 for converting the struts to coilovers sounds pretty good to me depending on what inserts they are using.

i converted my st162 to coilovers recently, did all the work myself except for a lil help from my mate with the welder. it cost me about 2k for parts alone.

koni inserts about 1k
coilover kits (ie threaded tube, top hat and spring seat and locking nut.) $250
kings prosport springs $100 each 300lb front/250lb rear
and top tension spring with seat(to stop the spring becoming un sprung at full rebound) were another $70 each.

and it takes a bit of time and labour, tho i sandblasted and resprayed etc. i know mine werent SS but id say the process in converting would be the same. so yeh just find out what insert's they're using and the springs. make sure they're good qual etc.

[RobertoX]

Sorry to divert this thread a bit but Jonathan, where did you get said 'tension spring' form? What rate did you use?

Cheers, rob

[jonathan yee]

PM sent so

[jonathan yee]

PM sent so as not to divert

[Wolf_Tm250]

ill add something to this thread as its superslut related.
well i decided a couple of months ago i needed new shocks because mine were more then shagged.
anywho tangla got some sone kyb super special for street adjustable shocks, i decided against changing the tubes because well of those crimps, and the fact i think its better to pay the extra and get the proper aftermarket setup ready to roll, and its got warrenty etc.
they were costly because of the SS, for all 4 struts inc postage was $1850 from memory.

and the difference...fucking awsome, i wish i got them 3 years ago when i got the car. Cant rate them highly enough. (i did also put new bump stops in and raised the car 15mm (although you cant tell to look at it)

enough talking smack you get the idea.
KYB Climb gears are supposed to be a quality middle of the range shock.

Cuts,
as I'm really interested in the KYB stuff for mine, would you like to give more info?

a. Do you know where the KYB Super Special for Street are different from Super Special for Rally?!

b. KYB gives the dampers only... how did you choose the springs for them?

c. where did you buy the joint ball upper mounts?

Thanks a lot!

[Cuts]

Sorry seems i forgot about this thread.

Yeah whole new struts.

Ive never heared or seen the super special for rally, ide assume they would have more travel then the streets (which have 15-30% more then stock anyway, depending on application).

The springs im using are TEINS, 4.5kg front and 3.7 rear on a 1 1/2" drop (i had to lower the back a bit more as it wasnt quite as low as i like it when i first put them in.

Im really really happy with how the suspension came out, with the damper adjustment i can make it as cruisy comfortable or hard for some mountain/track driving. best of both worlds without the wank/cost and stiffness of coilovers.

the cusco pillow ball upper mounts came from a mate of mine who has some contacts in japan to get all the parts from the manufactuers.

places like RHD japan or nengun have them i think. If not contact Tangcla and he'l see what he can do

[gixer]

KYB Climb gears are supposed to be a quality middle of the range shock.

If you look at KYB shocks for Superstrut, the order is like this;

New SR(OEM replacement)
Super Special for Street
Climb Gear
Buzz Spec

the Climb gear is an entry level circuit shock
I have Climb gears fitted to my AE111 with Espilir springs, the compression/rebound rates of the Climb Gears is VERY high, in the hills the handling is very very good, around suburbia, the ride is shocking, if you run over an ant the jolt is horrendous. I don't recommend these shocks on crap Australian roads.

The rebound rates are so high that the wheels are often lightly loaded on bumps/ripples and if you happen to be braking at the time you will easily fire off the ABS!!

The marketing hype for the Climbgears says that KYB put alot of effort into the 0.1m/s piston speed, read between the lines, at slow piston speeds the dampening forces are ridiculously high

In Hind sight, I would buy the Super Special for Street or for a few more bucks the TRD street shocks. Unfortunately I'm not changing them as the fronts cost heaps

[TERRA Operative]

I just ended up with a set of TRD coilovers. Easy to install, and all the parts are still available.

[Cuts]

starky has climb gears on his 185, obviously not superstrut, his drives nice, but they are prob a few kms old.

Hhhmm i thought climb gears were lower then the super specials...not being adjustable and all that.

[gixer]

Hhhmm i thought climb gears were lower then the super specials...not being adjustable and all that.

No they are the next step up, they are an entry level circuit shock, they made them non adjustable to keep the price down, the dampening rates(rebound/compression) are MUCH higher than super special for street(which I wish I had bought now....especially as I'm old!)

I have a really good article somewhere about the KYB range, they say that they spent alot of effort with the Climb gears to enhance intial turn in, body control etc.

Don't get me wrong, in the hills at speed they are magnificent, but at low speed in suburbia the dampening rates are bloody high.

[Wolf_Tm250]

Mates, thanks a lot for the explanations!

Please let me understand more...

currently I have Tein SS, but I'm not that happy:
many regulations but still a street product.

I'd like to run some dampers more race oriented, especially for mountain roads races, that is to say comp/reb and preload regulations, and especially bigger tube.

Do you know if KYB makes such a damper for the ST205 ?

Do you know which regulations Super Special for Rally have ?

http://www.kybclub.com/kybclubhtm/Super-ra.shtml

http://www.kybclub.com/kybclubhtm/Su...-tekigou.shtml

Thanks!