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New KYB shocks in the rear; Car now looks lifted


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As the title states- looks like a set of '70's Gabriel Hijackers are on the car ('92 Loyale).

I didn't compare the spring perch height with the old shocks- Maybe that's the root cause.

The springs really needed compressing to get the top nut on the shaft.

I wonder if the ride height be adjusted back there?

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Yes, I've driven it.  It drives and handles fine but still looks jacked to me.  One problem I think is the previous owner (I just bought the car) put 170/75-13s on the car, and the ones in back are worn smooth, so they really looks lost in the wheel well.

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4WD and 2WD have different mounting points - 2WD struts I believe will "lift" the car higher because they mount lower and are therefore longer struts...or something like that.

 

if it's not that maybe the front stuff is so tired it's setting an inch or two low?

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I've read (on this board as a matter of fact) somewhere that KYB is phasing out the different designs between the 2wd and 4wd shocks and manufacturing the same shock absorber with the average of the difference in the perches on them.

 

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I'll post a picture when I can.  I guess I'll live with it for the time being- at least until i get proper sized tires for the thing. I did wonder why it was so difficult to compress the spring enough to get that nut started,,,,

I would be interested to lean what KYB part number has been used on wagons in the past. Maybe I'll have to go to another manufacturer, because if what, 175eya says is true, then not only does it explain the application-part number cross over, then it also suggests that I may never get that stock ride height with a kyb shock unless I can get actual dimensional specs off the web.  I'll measure the originals after I retrieve them from the trash bin, and compare to the new ones....

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I have the KYB # 1620231

The 1613978 is also listed for a 4wd Wagon.

 

Pretty confused now.  Seems like some application cross-over.  Does anyone know the correct KYB part number for a 1992 4wd Loyale wagon?

 

You definately got FWD struts.  That part # you gave doesn't even come up as a good KYB #.

 

You want KYB 341065 for 4wd.

341065
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  • 5 months later...

I just received a set of KYB 341065s in the mail. They are shorter overall by about an inch, but worse yet, the portion above the "stop" on the chrome shaft is shorter too, which means the necessary bumpers/washers/spring holder leave no thread room for the nut!!!!!

 

If you have a 1993 Subaru Loyale wagon with 4wd....DON'T BUY THE KYB 341065....

 

I wish I could tell you which shock to buy, but I have yet to find a direct aftermarket replacement for the stock rear shock absorber.

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You have to compress the springs and the new bushings for it to thread on.

 

And actually 2wd struts front and back look great with meaty tires/rims IMHO. Hopefully they will refund/restock for you.

 

2wd front struts will lower the front. 

 

Different design up front,  common between 2wd and 4wd so on the 2wds the front struts are shorter.

 

But as said, because of the different mountings on the cars 2wd vs. 4wd the 2wds are longer in the back and will lift the back of a 4wd car.

 

I just received a set of KYB 341065s in the mail. They are shorter overall by about an inch, but worse yet, the portion above the "stop" on the chrome shaft is shorter too, which means the necessary bumpers/washers/spring holder leave no thread room for the nut!!!!!

 

Use the older, compressed rubber bumpers and I'll bet it'll fit.

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Even using the old compressed bumpers left no room for the nut. This problem was found before even fitting the spring over the shock, this problem is all about not having the correct length to accomodate necessary hardware at the top of the shock. Cutting the KYB rubber bumpers down may have solved the problem, but the shock was still going to be shorter than stock. Too bad, because I truly feel the KYB shocks are "best". The rebound and compression damping of the KYB is noticeably greater, at least when brand-new.

 

Gabriel G51181 with Moog CC228 spring gave me a much better handling and load-bearing car when compared to the stock shocks and, due to the stiffer spring, about an inch more height.

 

Stock-spec struts with NAPA 277-3452 springs up front added about the same and the car looks awesome. Not low and boring, not jacked up and cv-joint destroying, just a nice, aggressive, balanced stance.

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  • 1 year later...

 

You definately got FWD struts.  That part # you gave doesn't even come up as a good KYB #.

 

You want KYB 341065 for 4wd.

341065

Reading through the post, I have a 2WD Loyale sedan Vin JF1AC4226PC200963  and Napa suggested the KYB 341063  for $75 ea plus shipping 

Shockwarehouse wants $32 each, still dickering re: shipping.  Any thoughts?  Do I need a spring compressor to remove shock from spring assembly?

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Reading through the post, I have a 2WD Loyale sedan Vin JF1AC4226PC200963  and Napa suggested the KYB 341063  for $75 ea plus shipping 

Shockwarehouse wants $32 each, still dickering re: shipping.  Any thoughts?  Do I need a spring compressor to remove shock from spring assembly?

 

I have a front wheel drive Loyale sedan and put the KYB GR2 341063 shocks on the rear.  Solved my problems and gives me a nice ride.  I recall the shocks are difficult to install as the threaded stud on the top has little to no extra space.  Needed to work at fitting everything back together.

 

Yes, a spring compressor is required to remove the old shock.  Or, you can remove the entire assemblies from the car and take them to a shop with the new shocks and have those folks do the swap out.  Then just bolt the assemblies back onto the car.

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