Civicnoobie

HI, is anyone still on the OEM rear struts? I know someone who is selling a brand new set of Kayaba rear struts for $200, retails $300. Im still using the oEM struts at 88,000 miles. When should we replace the rear struts? Also is Kayaba good for struts?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

the stock stuff wont last more than 50k miles. usually much less esp the rears.

lazlong

^^ Agreed.

Don't get Monroe either.

Also, don't carry a lot of weight in the trunk.

Civicnoobie

Serious? But isnt it the fronts that take something like 80% of the shocks? I have a friend who has 160miles and still on his OEM rears

So is Kayabas good? I have all this rattling from the back of my car so im guessing maybe replacing the struts will get rid of it.

Oh and crap i see i have to get a 4 wheel alignment if i change the struts out. I just got one done crap!

MindBomber

It's all about driving style and conditions, they could last that long they just usually won't.

Order KYB GR-2 replacements for all four corners, it should come out to less than $300 online.

Civicnoobie

I googled Kayaba made in japan struts and it looks like kayaba and KYB are the same make. My front are only 2 months old, theyre Zoro brand made in japan too.

MindBomber

+2 on the 50k mile average.

Fronts carry more weight, but they're designed to do that and they only wear out faster because people abuse them.

you should have the same struts on all four corners and you should replace your shocks, the rattling is there because your way over the appropriate mileage for changing them, that's our advice but the final decision is all yours.

Civicnoobie

I asked some other civic owners and from what ive been told our cars only have struts in the front, shocks are in the rear and theyre a lot easier and quicker to replace than struts they said and that i wont nessecarily need a 4 wheel alignment after.


How many struts and shocks are on my car? I thought struts and shocks are the same.

MindBomber

You have struts up front and shocks in the rear, the difference is between the two is negligable in this discussion.

Civicnoobie

Thanks for clearing that up, I was getting really confused because I thought it was 4 struts and 4 shocks on our cars. I picked up the shocks just now from the guy and it turns out to be KYB GR2s!!!! When I install these tommorow, you think the noise from the rear will forsure be gone? Its not the swaybar end links making the noise?

MindBomber

Sway bar endlinks and blown struts make a similar rattle, so its hard to say. Have you noticed a drop in ride height in the rear?

If it is the sway bar endlinks you can remove the sway bar until you get a set of replacement endlinks, you'll just have a little more body roll when turning.

lazlong

When doing the struts make sure to inspect and replace any worn parts in the top mount assembly also.

Civicnoobie

Well what would be the parts exactly? like springs? My buddy is installing the rear shocks for me tommorow afternoon so if he has to replace anything else i want to have the new parts ready on hand.

Im guessing i should definitely replace the OEM springs huh?

Civicnoobie

No drop in ride height, just bouncy when going over speed bumps and lots of rattle in the rear. Sounds like i have a bunch of empty beer bottles back there.

lazlong

This is for a 2003. If #'s 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 16 are worn then replace them: http://www.hondapartscheap.com/south...t=0&quantity=0

Civicnoobie

Holy crap thats a lot. DIdnt think replacing shocks required this many parts. Honda isnt open tommorow so ill just hit up my parts source and see what they got.

Do most people generally replace the springs too while doing the shocks?

lazlong

Only if they are bad.

Just replace the worn parts, not all of them.

sdaidoji

iTrader: (1)

GOD... READ BEFORE POSTING is a good advice. As Lazlong said from start, replace if BAD, not replace them. Springs do normally last a loooong time, why you asking if need replace? any trouble with them?
searching does take you a long way.

CivicRider

My rear shocks on 2001 Lx were even still good last month when i replaced them. I replaced them as i had them from a year ago when i bought a set of four. My front ones failed at 125000. I replaced rear ones at 142000 . they were still not making an noise but i noticed an elevated height afterwards. As mentioned, it all depends on weight carried in rear and road conditions that put rear shocks to work.
Let us know, if replacement fixes that rattling.

Civicnoobie

So I got my KYB GR2s put in yesterday and the rattling is still there but its a different rattling now, more like a minor small pop sound here and there. Its sttill coming from the back right tire. Its on and off so not happening all the time. Mostly get it when turning left and some bumps. Checked the sway bar end links and they were fine, just the right 2 bolts were rusted but not worn out or anything. I know new shocks have to seat themselves first but how long does that take?

Do you think this could be the body panel making the noise? Because body panel rattling sound likes very close to it.

lazlong

Have your buddy push down on that corner and listen for the pop. I bet one or more of the bushings is shot. Also check the swaybar bushings.

Civicnoobie

We checked the bushings and they were fine. No sounds at all when pressing down on that corner. Totally stumped.

Im really believing that it is my body panels because when i put my car in park into drive and so fourth i hear the exact same creaky sounds from the back. I get it too sometimes when i release my ebrake'