Kyb Gas-a-just Shocks (just Installed)

[LJS30]

Well I finally installed those KYB's I purchased awhile ago from a fellow LoL member. I never realized how a shock upgrade can make a difference in the ride. Before I had what looks like some sensatracs which were leaking and very old. These KYB's seem to give me a much firmer ride in addition with enhanced cornering. However, for some reason my right rear is making some noise when I hit bumps. I'm going in today to check and see what's up. Any suggestions?

[LASVEGASLSC]

On yer rear noise....assuming the shock itself is AOK....and if noise not there before.......any possibility of the upper shock mount rubber washers distorted too much or off center in the hole thus allowing the threaded portion of shock mount to contact body?

[pro-five-oh]

If its a squeak, check your bushings between the shock and the body. If its deeper than a squeak, check your coil conversion kit.

[Nick]

Are you using the base level or did you adjust it for a bit firmer? How do they adjust? I've been thinking about the Bilsteins for a Thunderbird because the valving adjusts automatically.

[LJS30]

If its a squeak, check your bushings between the shock and the body. If its deeper than a squeak, check your coil conversion kit.

Well it's like a thud type of sound. I'm putting it up right now, what should I look for specifically?

[LJS30]

Are you using the base level or did you adjust it for a bit firmer? How do they adjust? I've been thinking about the Bilsteins for a Thunderbird because the valving adjusts automatically.

You know what, I just put them on as is. The directions gave me nothing about adjusting them manually.

[pro-five-oh]

A thud sounds like something is loose. Make sure you torqued the shocks correctly to the control arm and do a visual inspection of everything. Not sure what else I can offer without seeing it for myself. If the car rides well and doesn't crash (like there is no fluid in the shocks) over bumps, the shocks are probably fine.

[Davemutt]

You know what, I just put them on as is. The directions gave me nothing about adjusting them manually.

KYBs aren't manually adjustable, so that shouldn't be your problem.

[pro-five-oh]

If they are KYB gas-adjusts, they have 5 levels of dampening.

[NYC LS8]

The AGX line of Gas Adjust are adjustable. I have the regular Gas Justs on the rear of my 92 and they aren't adjustable at all.

[LJS30]

Okay guys, I found the problem last night. Turns out I installed the rubber bushing on the top mount incorrectly thus causing slight movement upon dampening. Man these shocks are great though, it's firm yet smooth, not mushy at all. Now I have new struts and new shocks all the way around to go with my coil conversion. :)

[Nick]

Crap! From the description on KYB's page, it sounds like the KYB Gas-A-Just is really just a stiffer premium version of their GR-2s. It seems the only performance shocks we have are the Gas-A-Just and the Bilsteins.

"KYB Gas-a-Just Shocks and Struts are designed to deliver maximum driving control and performance. KYB Gas-a-Just's higher gas pressure keeps tires glued to the road while its high strength, monotube configuration provides extra-rugged durability and fade-free performance.

KYB GR-2 Shocks and Struts are specially designed to deliver a smooth, comfortable ride. a patented check valve minimizes foaming and aeration to make sure the ride stays smooth, even under rough conditions."

Is the LTD II a Fox? How close is the rear suspension to ours?

[pro-five-oh]

Is the LTD II a Fox? How close is the rear suspension to ours?

Yeah, they aren't supposed to call it that, though. The small LTD is just an LTD, since by 1983 the big LTD turned into the Crown Vic.

http://www.motorcarportfolio.com/images/ltdrf.jpg

Their suspension is like a Mustang or Tbird, so its shocks can be made to fit but I doubt they'll operate in the "sweet spot" like Mark VII specific parts.

[Nick]

OK, so the car is what I thought it to be. It should therefore be closer to a Mustang than a Thunderbird, right? I know LTD guys swap in Mustang springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars. An LTD LX with an HO would be somewhat interesting...but it'd be another Fox project car of many. If I find a cheap but nice, '87-'88 Turbo Coupe, I think that will be a nice car for mileage and performance.

[DaddyMc]

Would there be any disadvantage to running the KYB GR-2s on the front and the Gas-a-just on the rear?

[Nick]

Would there be any disadvantage to running the KYB GR-2s on the front and the Gas-a-just on the rear?

A lot of people have done it. The rear damping would be stiffer than the front. Worst case scenario would be slightly more understeer I think. I have this on my car now with Koni rears and stock front struts. It rides a little stiffer and the float in the rear is gone, but you perceive more float from the front. I can't tell if increased my understeer, even with autocross testing. The car already has a lot of it on its own thanks to the cast iron engine and heads and offset weight distribution. I'd use them.

[gadget73]

Personally I like oil shocks/struts over gas but thats pure personal preference. Gas gives a slightly stiffer ride and can lift the suspension slightly. In a heavy car its not going to change the height but in something with little weight on a particular axle it can change it. I have KYB GR-2 shocks front and I think Monroe or Gabriel or something cheap for air shocks in the back. I like the GR2s. They replaced dead Monroes and the car has a nice smooth controlled ride. Slightly stiffer but not harsh.

[NYC LS8]

I have the GR-2s in the back of my '87, and the Gas-A-Justs in the rear of the '92. Both have other brand struts up front, and I can say without a doubt that the Gas-A-Justs are one stiff shock!

[LJS30]

I have the GR-2s in the back of my '87, and the Gas-A-Justs in the rear of the '92. Both have other brand struts up front, and I can say without a doubt that the Gas-A-Justs are one stiff shock!

Yes they are definately stiffer that's for sure.

[BigDon]

Personally I like oil shocks/struts over gas but thats pure personal preference. Gas gives a slightly stiffer ride and can lift the suspension slightly. In a heavy car its not going to change the height but in something with little weight on a particular axle it can change it. I have KYB GR-2 shocks front and I think Monroe or Gabriel or something cheap for air shocks in the back. I like the GR2s. They replaced dead Monroes and the car has a nice smooth controlled ride. Slightly stiffer but not harsh.

I hate to be the one to break it to you gentlemen but the fact is that all shocks and struts use oil and some sort of valving to control damping whether it is adjustable, set, or velocity sensing. The purpose for the pressurized nitrogen gas is to keep the oil from frothing/ foaming, getting air in the oil would act like a viscosity change (loss) to the oil and cause the damping performance to fade (get to soft). The gas pressure equalizes after the struts/ shocks are installed in the car. I’ve been using Bilstein’s for about 25 years on several different cars and I’ve never seen them effect the ride height.
Don

[pro-five-oh]

Yeah I have GR-2 fronts and gas-adjusts rears in my foxbody Cougar, the ride is a lot more stiff. I might have put GR2s all around, but at the time I heard they weren't very high quality shocks. I haven't had a problem with them in 3+years and 20,000 miles, so maybe they are fine.

[Nick]

I think he meant hydraulic versus gas pressurized, as in the hydraulic doesn't have the gas pressure to reduce or eliminate aeration.

[BigDon]

I think he meant hydraulic versus gas pressurized, as in the hydraulic doesn't have the gas pressure to reduce or eliminate aeration.
Thanks, but I think “oil” would be the “hydraulic” of which you refer. Aeration is this just a 25-cent word used to describe foaming? If so that’s what I was trying to explain as the purpose of the “pneumatic” nitrogen gas as opposed to it being used for damping.

[Nick]

Thanks, but I think “oil” would be the “hydraulic” of which you refer. Aeration is this just a 25-cent word used to describe foaming? If so that’s what I was trying to explain as the purpose of the “pneumatic” nitrogen gas as opposed to it being used for damping.

I was trying to restate gadget's post as I interpreted it. I should have referred to it more clearly, but what I meant to clarify was that gadget wasn't saying oil or hydraulic fluid isn't used in dampers, but that he prefers a true oil shock without gas pressurization. You are right though. A gas shock should be very similar in ride to a hydraulic unit if the valving is right.

[gadget73]

Yes, I prefer the non-gas charged vs gas charged. Like I said, in anything with real weight on it, the shock isn't going to change anything but if you put a real stiff gas strut in the front of something like a VW Beetle it'll lift the front end. Been there, done that. Gas is probably better for agressive driving due to the reduced foaming effect, etc but just for a cruiser ride, I like something thats got a bit more give to it. Shocks are like engine oil. Everyone has thier preference.

[LJS30]

Well guys, now my right left shock is making noise for some reason in addition with the fact that my ride has really become super stiff and not very comfortable at all. If fact I'm taking the C-30 to work tomorrow and either checking or replacing the KYB's over the weekend.

[Bluegrass]

What Don says. I just came back from the big Eastern Race Show and a seminar on shocks. The gas does indeed keep the fluid from foaming due to the force of going thru the internal ports as the shock operates.
The internal calibration and valve action is your stiffness control unless it is adjustable from the outside.
Almost every fluid that moves thru a restriction under force will foam to some degree, oil, water, coolant etc.
Put them up for sale in the classifieds, I bet some one would like to have them in their quest for handling.;)

[LJS30]

What Don says. I just came back from the big Eastern Race Show and a seminar on shocks. The gas does indeed keep the fluid from foaming due to the force of going thru the internal ports as the shock operates.
The internal calibration and valve action is your stiffness control unless it is adjustable from the outside.
Almost every fluid that moves thru a restriction under force will foam to some degree, oil, water, coolant etc.
Put them up for sale in the classifieds, I bet some one would like to have them in their quest for handling.;)

Yes I will do that.