i just got back from my local shop, where i was talking to the guy about doing my suspension(2004 Cav). he was very knoledgeable and he suggested the progress springs with the kyb agx's. this is what he put on his wifes 05 cavalier that he said he beat on, and they held up.
couldn't find anything searching, so if anybody has a setup like this, let me know, if you like the ride, any problems, regrets, or anything. all your responses are very much greatly appreciated, thanks all.
I say bad idea. Progress is 1.7/1.5(probably before they settle...) if I recall and that will void your warranty on the AGX's. Springs I would reccomend:
Suspension Technologies 1.2/1.2
Eibach Pro-Kit 1.4/1.4
H&R 1.6/1.4
B&G 1.6/1.6
Tien H-tech 1.0/1.0
the guy told me that they would not void the warranty, because he had them on his wife's car and it was fine, and also he said that he would not put koni's on
Dear KYB,
Can you replace my blown struts for me? I know I put them on with springs you said would put them past their limit. This guy who is a mechanic said he has them on his wifes car, and he treats her ride like %$#! and it hasn't blown the struts
yet. He also knows more about your warranty than your company does apparently, because he said you would be okay with it if I made car car lower than was specified by some tech guy. (what do they know anyway) Every-time I go out with my friends they tell me what an idiot I was for listen to the guy. Please hurry I feel like a bobble-head in this thing.
Sincerely
"The Reader That Didn't Listen"
thank you very much for your polite, mature response. I greatly appreciate it when a 34 year old man can write such intelligent responses as that. i apologize for thinking that using struts designed for lowering springs was such a poor idea when lowering my car. i think i changed my mind, and i will be putting on sportlines on my stock struts(i feel this will be a much better choice than lowering springs on struts designed for lowering)
it is completely understandable that the struts will probably explode and burst into flames because the drop is .1 inches more than reccomended. i think that cinny's response was much more helpful than that of zach, who reccomended different springs. I mean why would i want advice? i only posted a situation.
i do realize that cinny has posted a great how-to on installing yellows, and that is greatly appreciated by myself and most of this site. however this post was not so helpful, but anyways, thanks for the hilarity.
The warranty for AGX's is at 1.5 inches. I think 1.7 will be pushing the limits. I'm on H&R's which say they drop 1.6/1.4 but with my car it came out to be like 1.5/1.5. Also, once you go past about 1.5" the control arms start to point upwards instead of being level to the ground. This is not good for your handling.
Your mechanic may like the springs, but I don't think he has any racing experience or experience with different springs. If you do get the progress springs I think you will be happy about the handling but the AGX's might have a shortened life span. Something else to keep in mind is the fact that the lower you go the more %@#$ you start scraping.
Again, I personally wouldn't reccomend the progress springs. Pro-kits, which can be found used in the classifieds for close to $100, would be my pick.
thank you very much, that is good to hear from someone who actually has the springs. do you have any pictures of what your drop looked like? because i didnt see any in your registry. thanks again to everyone with helpful responses
I'll snap some photos this weekend.
thanks alot, i appreciate it, again thanks for the help
You can do it you want but why take the chance on this investment. I know some people don't want to put on Koni's because it is more work that KYB which is a bolt on.
I will say it again. Koni inserts are also used on BMW, Mitsubisi, Benz, Subaru etc... So don't think just because we have a cavalier we are just our of luck. If someone with BMW woudl rahter do the work and get Koni's rather than KYB that is saying something. Ultimately the decision is yours.
2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time
yeah, i understand what you're saying, it makes sense. but i figured with this pretty mild drop i should be ok, because i drive about 5-6k (miles) per year, so at that rate, for the driving i do, i feel this will be a more than adequate improvement. thanks again everyone.
Why not try the Tokico struts they will be ok for that kind of drop.
2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time
yeah, but i believe that there is no lifetime warranty on those(please correct me if i am wrong), my mechanic can get the kyb's warrantied for life. the warranty is gone at 1.5 on those as well. thanks for the ideas though.
Like KYB, Koni have a limited lifetime warranty.
2004 Grand Prix GTP (Competition Group)
SOLD-->1999 Z24 5M-#30 to register on JBO
"You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all the people'
all the time
lighten up man, i was j/k at least it got your attention. there were two people telling you not to do it, that it was a bad idea. you seemed determined do it anyway.
Quote:
the guy told me that they would not void the warranty, because he had them on his wife's car and it was fine, and also he said that he would not put koni's on
it wasn't my intention to make you mad, but to make you stop and think.
this is your answer to will it last very long at all.
Quote:
KYB America LLC warrants the listed quality-built products for the listed time period and/or mileage to the original retail purchaser against defect and wear-out when used on private passenger cars and light trucks under normal operating conditions. The warranty does not apply to shock absorbers which have been modified, improperly applied or installed, or installed on vehicles used in racing or for commercial applications. The warranty is void if the product is used on excessively lowered (over 1.5") vehicles or in an aftermarket coilover suspension system.
my vote is for either H&R's or Pro-Kit, I know the Pro-kit is a good ride. and talking to Zach on many occasions the H&R springs are a little stiffer, but still a good ride.
as for the quality of Koni:
[quoteMyLife:
I will say it again. Koni inserts are also used on BMW, Mitsubisi, Benz, Subaru etc... So don't think just because we have a cavalier we are just out of luck.
Like KYB, Koni have a limited lifetime warranty.
good luck with what ever you do. and again I was j/k around really..I hadn't even had coffee yet.
pz out
I thought KYB's generally came with a 1 year warranty. I know my AGX's did.
AGXs come with a life time warranty. Read their site if you disagree (Zach).
The drop does not make any difference in the warrant, but it is the only way KYB can communicate the limitations of the warranty in a way that people will understand.
Very short springs have to be very stiff to keep the car off the ground. So they have a higher spring rate. This higher spring rate is what kills the shock/strut. It also is a tell-tale damage, meaning they will know how you killed your strut, lying will do you no good. And the shop will not warranty the strut either, KYB does.
If you wanted you could simply cut your stock springs down however far you want. It will not void the warranty because the spring rate is still stock. You will however bottom out a lot. But you'll still have your warranty.
This guy can blow smoke up your ass all day. He's not responsible for the warranty. KYB is responsible. If you use sportslines (or any other excessive drop) and blow your struts, KYB will not warranty them.
But some people have had very good luck with the KYB struts. It is an excellent strut. And have gone years without blowing one. This discussion is all academic so long as you don't blow your struts.
Using sportsline (or whatever) on AGX struts will not cause them to blow instantly. It will probably take at least a year, depending on your driving habits. But in the end, it will be sooner than if you had used the proper springs, and the struts will not be replace for free.
Remember, all struts die eventually. If you use the right springs, these may be the last struts you ever pay for.
It's your car. Do what you want to it. I'm not being cynical. We're here for advice, not to tell you what you have to do.
hehe, just got mine today..... but take a look at that, my scanner messed up for the bottom, but the part that you debate on is clear...
KYB Website wrote:
KYB America LLC warrants the listed quality-built products for the listed time period and/or mileage to the original retail purchaser against defect and wear-out when used on private passenger cars and light trucks under normal operating conditions. The warranty does not apply to shock absorbers which have been modified, improperly applied or installed, or installed on vehicles used in racing or for commercial applications. The warranty is void if the product is used on excessively lowered (over 1.5") vehicles or in an aftermarket coilover suspension system.
KYB's obligation under this warranty is limited to replacement of the defective shock absorber in accordance with this warranty. Cost of removal and installation are not included.
The quality-built products, time periods and/or mileage covered under this warranty are as follows:
* For as long as the original retail purchaser owns the vehicle on which the units were originally installed
* All KYB Gas-a-Just® and MonoMax® Performance Shock Absorbers
(including motorhome applications) – Lifetime
* All KYB GR-2® Gas Struts, Cartridges and Shocks – Lifetime
* AGX® Adjustable Gas Shocks and Struts and MonoMax Performance Shocks – Lifetime
Updated in 2005 (doesn't say what month). Did you get yours from a dealer that had them sitting on the shelf for a while? It's possible they have different warranties through different outlets too.
Just talked to a local place. They warranty the strut for 1 year. After that you need to claim it through them to KYB to get it replaced.
that drop looks real nice, any pics of what it looked like before the drop? either way, looks real nice an even, you seem happy with it. mine's gettin done this coming friday, i can't wait. thanks again everybody.
