KYB Exel G Rear Struts (Page 1/2)
RotrexFiero JUL 15, 08:17 AM
So I just installed new rear struts. I went with the KYB Exel Gs.

The rear appears to be bottoming out. The fronts are great as I had worn shocks.

But, when I hit a bump its hitting solid. It's frightening. I am not sure if this is because of the KYB or what.

Did I install something wrong?

Are these things adjustable. (I look there is so little info on these) I notice there is a small allen set screw at the top of the strut mount (is that for adjustment?)

Also, I have rear lower springs, but nothing radical.

I have not pulled the wheel to look again, but plan on doing that tomorrow,


Any help appreciated.
theogre JUL 15, 10:02 AM
Lower spring w/ "shock" height strut/shock then yes is bottoming out. Likely the strut will break because of this even if doesn't show as oil leak.
Even if have strut bumper installed because those are only as "backup" for normal spring and strut/shock hitting a large pothole etc.
Most have cut the bumper then they do little or nothing adding to problems the struts/shocks w/ short spring.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 07-15-2022).]

RotrexFiero JUL 15, 10:44 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

Lower spring w/ "shock" height strut/shock then yes is bottoming out. Likely the strut will break because of this even if doesn't show as oil leak.
Even if have strut bumper installed because those are only as "backup" for normal spring and strut/shock hitting a large pothole etc.
Most have cut the bumper then they do little or nothing adding to problems the struts/shocks w/ short spring.




The old struts were completely shot and it was not doing this...I would think anything would be better.
theogre JUL 15, 11:04 AM
above is on top of adjustable and other "better"/"premium" shock/strut have valving and other schemes to stiffen when drive over large things. Monroe have slots in the middle of working tube that does similar to volume sensitive and other valve setups in KYB Gabriel and others. That valving tries to stop hitting the End of Travel but short springs forces the unit near the bottom so can slam the unit anyway.

These setups on most premium shock/strut can making the "ride" hard to very hard driving over speed bumps etc but otherwise gives a softer ride.

Old struts likely slam the valves etc too and why they died.
OE only works one way and other way does nothing. (E2A Even "WS6" RPO in most cars had same crap OE shocks and struts just w/ different spring spec.)
Nearly are replacement damps both ways, compressing and expansion.

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 07-15-2022).]

A_Lonely_Potato JUL 15, 12:18 PM
How much clearance is there when the car is sitting? As in how much of the strut shaft is exposed at rest?
greenturnedblue JUL 15, 01:31 PM
Did you reuse the old springs?
T Top 88 JUL 15, 04:52 PM
I recently installed the same struts on the rear of my '88 and haven't had these issues. I'm running the stock height springs, so I'm thinking that it could have something to do with it being lowered. How much lower is the car than factory?

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-White 1988 Fiero GT T-Top (TTOP 88)

Patrick JUL 15, 05:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

So I just installed new rear struts. I went with the KYB Exel Gs. The rear appears to be bottoming out... when I hit a bump its hitting solid. It's frightening. I am not sure if this is because of the KYB or what.



Something's not right. I've lowered both my '84 and '88 (one with KYB and one with Monroe struts), and there's never even been a hint of bottoming out.

Not that not doing so would necessarily cause your issue, but did you flip the top plate over? This allows the strut to perform at its "normal" extension with lowering springs (as discussed Here).

Before.



After, with the top plate flipped.

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-16-2022).]

RotrexFiero JUL 16, 09:05 AM
I flipped nothing. I had kyb previously on this machine with no problems. I thought these were only a small variation of those. No new springs. These are lowering g springs but only an inch or so. I have potholes here. I need travel.

I’m thinking I installed something wrong. The drivers side seems worse.
Patrick JUL 16, 05:33 PM

quote
Originally posted by RotrexFiero:

I flipped nothing. I had kyb previously on this machine with no problems.



If these struts are slightly different, and if the struts themselves are bottoming out (which would be very bad for the struts), it might be worthwhile for you to flip over the top plates (or "hats" as some people call them). As mentioned previously, this allows for more extension of the struts (which is beneficial when lowered/shortened springs are utilized).

Did you install the bump stops on the shaft of the struts, and were they in decent shape?

[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 07-16-2022).]