I knoticed when putting on my rims mid may that my rear passenger side rear AGX strut was leaking oil. When looking over, it it was coming from the strut shaft and leaking down onto the spring pearch and down the length of the strut shaft.
I contacted KYB about getting a replacement and they got me in contact with a local distributer which got me a replacement in a couple days. The distrubitor even dropped it off at my work which was awesome b/c they were on the other side of town and it would be hard for me to get off work to go pick it up.
I was worried about doing the replacement b/c I thought they would have wanted the old one first. But they just dropped it off at my work. And just drop off the old one when i got it changed out.
I didnt really suspect anything but I knoticed the ride was a little harsh in the rear and was making some noise over the past little while. Then when putting my rims on I was pissed to find out that it one of the rears was leaking oil. I put the Pro-kit/AGX combo on my car about a year and a half ago. To be exact about 31,xxx KM ago. I marked the mileage down upon installation.
When speaking with KYB about the issue they said it could have been the seal on the shaft or something failing and leaking the oil which would cause it to blow i guess. I was very clear with KYB that I have done everything they said to do. Matched it up with eibach pro-kit. Not to ride on the 2 front 4 rear settings and everything should be fine. I have been running 3 front 6 rear since install date. So i figure I wasnt to blame. I dont go 4x4ing with my car but some of the roads around my place are pretty harsh.
So yesterday in the morning I went and picked up a new rear strut mount from NAPA ($35) and went home to replace the strut. I figure it doesnt hurt to have a extra strut mount on hand just incase it needs replacing. It didnt look like it needed replacing with only 31, xxx KM on it but I figured it was making a little noise and I mide as well put it on, then everything would be brand new so i should have no problems.
I got everything pulled out and apart and when I went to push the shaft down it sure wasnt coming back up at all. Not even slowly. You could pull it up but it wasnt coming up on it's own. I even tried turning the dial to see it it did anything to bring it up. Didnt seem to make a difference. Also when having it laying on the ground it left a small small puddle of oil. So ya it's was completely blown. I even left the shaft pushed down and it still hasnt come back out in the box.
I got everything installed and tightened up and now she rides nice and firm again with no noise coming from the rear of the car. But why would it fail? I dont have a 200lb stereo in my trunk. The only thing in there is my spare tire.
I checked all my other struts when i swaped my rims a couple weeks ago, and that was the only one leaking oil. How long it was leaking oil.......I dont know. I re-checked them after replacing the rear yesterday and they all look good.
I just wanted to say thanks to KYB for a smooth replacement and no hassel warranty of the strut. All i have to do it drop now it off at the distributor across town tomorrow. The guy said not to rush, just get it back to him as soon as I could which is very nice since pending weather and all. It was beautiful this weekend so I changed it out.
I'm keeping an eye on all my struts now but I dont know why it would have failed. Anyone have any idea? The ride is nice and firm and quiet now which makes me happy.
3 front, 6 rear, is firmer then 2 front, 4 rear. Try running it softer like 1 front, 2 or 3 rear.
"Not to ride on the 2 front 4 rear settings and everything should be fine."
I thought 2 and 4 were the standard settings most people use?
You can ride 2 front 4 rear if you like. I was told by KYB not to run that setting if you were lowered. So I have always run 3 front and 5 or 6 in the rear. I like 6 in the rear for a nice firm ride.
But for some reason now after driving the car I knoticed that the rear pass side feels/looks to be riding a smidge higher then the other side. I took a look at the car from the rear and it looks to be riding a smidge higher.
Should I have replaced both rears at the same time? Could it be the strut/mount/spring havent really settled yet? I know the springs have settled a little over the past year and a half. But why would it ride slightly higher? Do you think the drivers side rear is blown?
I'm going to jack up the car when I get home from work to be sure The strut mount is positioned properly. I'm pretty damm sure it is b/c I dont see why it would be riding higher.
any thoughts?
Im going to give KYB a call in the morning to find out if they would recommend replacing both at the same time. The rep at the distributor asked me if I wanted to replace both b/c he said most people usually do.
But I said I only wanted the one strut. I'm thinking I should have asked for both since it seems to be riding higher in the back rear pass side corner. The car definately rides alot better since replacing the one rear strut.
Should there be a difference if I replaced both or just one? I wouldnt think there to be. Ill see what they say. If not I think ill get a hold of the distributor and ask for another rear strut. Then there both done. The mileage between either one would only maybe be 500-800km once i get both replaced b/c of the waiting time to get the replacement.
What do you guys think?
Well I didnt get the other strut replaced yet. I decided to take the drivers side rear apart this weekend to check the strut. I pulled everything out and disassembled. After everything was apart. I pushed the strut shaft down and it came back up nicely. Nice and firm on the push down and it came back up good.
I checked for any kind of oil leakage and there is none. So I put everything back together. What would cause the pass side rear to be higher? Should I disassemble that side and put it back together. I'm going to get my measuring tape out and do some measurements.
I'm using all the same brand name strut mounts. There all gabriel. Maybe the rear spring on the drivers rear sagged.
It's just the new strut, give it some time, and it will come back down and level out. you're waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to paranoid.
There will always be someone faster than you, but thousands slower and dumber than you.
