KYB GR2 Struts
 

Aight just though i would let everyone know that KYB GR2 struts are available eventhough its not on their website. I just had a set installed on my MP5. The Struts were actually for the MP3 but my shop just modified the end links for the Sway Bar to Attach, so i can go with a MP3 sway bar at anytime now. Oh ill get the part# and post it for everyone. -John-

i need new struts...how much and how is the ride...come on man elaborate a lil more....PLZ!!!!!!!!!!!

Well so far the ride has improved I have better road feel and no more bounce,dive,etc... which started when the Stock Struts went bad. It is firmer now combined with my RB Springs so i can definitely tell the difference between the stock and kyb struts on how the car feels when going over a bump or dip. The car didn't feel right at all when the struts went bad it even felt loose as far as steering goes. But its only been a day on the KYB's so only time will tell how they hold up. My boy charged me $550.00 w/install & tax. The struts were $99 a piece. I have to call him back to get the Part# so i should have that on Tuesday.

$99 for GR-2? Ouch! They used to be $60 for 2 nd gen.....
What is warranty on them? Still 3 months?

And what kind of modification fot end links you're talking about?
Pictures, pleeeease?

Alex

Well the OE replacement struts were $63.00 each so that would have been a waste. We checked with Monroe for inserts and others but we could only find the KYB but they were designed specifically for the MP3 so i guess thats a good thing. Don't have a Digital Camera so can't hook up pics immediately. The Mechanic basically cut the End Links instead of the Sway bar to make it work and he cleaned it up after welding it back together to make it look good. Ill try to get pics asap.

For your own safety...PLEASE ditch the modified endlinks and buy a set of shorter MP3/1999 endlinks! Cutting and welding a metal rod as skinny as a Protege endlink will always weaken it, and as many people have already pointed out, Protege endlinks are not very beefy to begin with. :rolleyes: If a front endlink breaks while you're cornering hard, the result will be VERY, VERY BAD. Can you say snap oversteer? Can you say big-*ss wreck? :eek:

A set of endlinks for an MP3 or 99 model Pro are the right length. Please get some. :D

well i was thinking about upgrading eventually to the AWR swaybar and that would be the plan to change endlinks and swaybar together.

how's the ride like?

AWR makes a rear bar, not a front bar. You need a new set of FRONT endlinks. Please get some before you wreck your car. :peace:

Also, to answer some previous questions about GR-2's, RD Enterprises (www.shox.com) sells them for $229 a set. I have installed a set of GR-2's on one of my previous cars, and although they are better performing and more durable than most OEM struts (and WAY better than discount store crap like Monroes or Gabriels), they are NOT high-performance struts. They are generally a good deal softer than Tokico Blues. They're good for a daily driver, but not for a racer. :D

The were no problems with the Front only the Rear Sway Bar end links

yeah why are they so expensive?

The non adjustable GR-2s are around $50 each for every other car they fit, and the GR-2s all slightly stiffer than their stock counterparts. Any word on if they are making them for the P5 and ES, not just the MP3?

It's called profit margin. :D

I agree. You may want to try and drive with no endlinks than with the welded endlinks. You car may handle like ass but at least you don't have to worry about severe handling chages when cornering.

I assume that since they are just recently released as well and for the MP3 most likely affects cost and these were the only other struts we could find besides OEM or MazdaSpeed and considering the cost for those options i ain't complaining. For OEM i was looking at around $400 installed and just for those to go bad again. OEM is actually Inserts at around $63.00 a piece plus $150.00 for install.

will the KYBs fit any 3rd gen protege? i drive a 1999 1.8L and the struts are definetely going on my car (thanks to the H&R springs).

if not, i guess i will hafta go with the MP3 Tokico Blues. But no one has a definitive answer as to whether these will fit either