KYB or KAYABA Shocks-How good are they?

[JamesVillamor]

I heard that KYB or Kayaba shocks are cheap and good. Some even prefer the KYB to OEM shocks - KUB being softer or more rigid but giving a better ride (on a Pajero. Mine is also a Pajero).

I hope those who have tried KYB can share their experience or give their opinion on this. I am not really lokking for shocks that are better than OEM because the KYB is cheap at (P1300-1800@ vs OEM twice the price) and may be cheap for a reason. But my main interest are:

1. How do they perform or compare with others?
2. How long do they last?
3. What are my alternative choices

[speedyfix]

i've had a set on my montero for 6 or more years na yata. milage in that time span wasn't more that 30k kms though but they're still allright.

[Accord GTR]

There are different models for each brand.  KYB is a well known brand.  The gas KYB are better than the hydraulic ones.  I think they do OEM in some cars.  I find them ok for the price which is cheap.  You will know when to change them when you drive fast and they either bottom or the wheel hops on hard cornering or when going thru bad roads.  Or on flat roads, they bounce when you brake hard or accelerate.

I put them in my Isuzu truck which is fine but for a Pajero, sayang lang.  You should use better shocks like  Bilsteins but they cost like P40k a set.  Get them in Speedlab.

You get what you pay for when it comes to shocks.

[incoming!!]

the most common are KYB excel-g. i'm running 70km a day for 2 years now and its still ok. if i follow accordGTR's advice i think i need to change my rears. my rear left is bottoming out when i go fast. i placed a bump stop but it lasts only for a while. my car is lowered by the way 2 fingers gap.

[speedyfix]

true, the bilsteins are better than the kyb's, but for the price they better be. in that price range i'd rather get a set of ranchos siguro. they offer more flexibility since they can be adjusted for ride.

[incoming!!]

are these rancho shocks available locally? i think its mainly for SUVs..

[speedyfix]

yes they are. since the poster said he drives a pajero, that's why i mentioned rancho. paj = suv

[incoming!!]

oic. yah ahmm i was thinking lang baka meron for sedan 

[speedyfix]

if you want adjustables for a sedan then meron naman koni. around 40k a set.

[JamesVillamor]

KYB 7k?
Bilstein 40K
Rancho How much ?

[benguet_buynsell]

KYB shocks ok yan lalo na pag original japan, yan ang isa sa mga sponsors ng ralliart sa WRC and dakar rally, punta ka sa mga service center ng mitsubishi yan ang linalagay nila.

[Accord GTR]

true, the bilsteins are better than the kyb's, but for the price they better be. in that price range i'd rather get a set of ranchos siguro. they offer more flexibility since they can be adjusted for ride.

I don't thnk you are comparing apples to apples.  First of all, Bilsteins are designed to be self-adjustable accordingly to the road conditions because of their unique valving and gas design.  They are not like the KYB, Koni or other shock designs.  When the road is flat and smooth, the valves open so the shocks get softer.  Then when you corner them hard or the road gets bad, the valve closes to improve control.  Para siyang VTEC na shocks.  I've used them long time ago and they are great shocks.

I haven't tried Ranchero but I think they started out in the US supplying those modified trucks with lift-up kits.  I believe the design they use is a pneumatic air design.  Different company to Bilstein who is German and supplied oem to M-Benz, BMW, Porsche production cars.  I think the new GTR is Bilstein.  Bilsteins are made to last.  Other shocks are cheaper cuz they have less stricter production tolerances and are made to be replaced after a couple of years.

Just cuz the shock is not adjustable doesn't mean its not better.  For me, if you do off-roading, maybe Rancho but if its mostly street and you are going to keep your truck for a long time, Bilsteins.  After all, you'll feel the difference in your butt everytime you drive.  You can compare their price but the ride and handling are world's apart.

[jods]

Ako naman i tried KBYs in my e46. Switched to KYBs because nag leak na shocks ko. Ok naman ride nya but I was really dissapointed because nag leak din sya after mga 10,000 km... I switched again to Bilstein's.

[speedyfix]

I don't thnk you are comparing apples to apples.  First of all, Bilsteins are designed to be self-adjustable accordingly to the road conditions because of their unique valving and gas design.  They are not like the KYB, Koni or other shock designs.  When the road is flat and smooth, the valves open so the shocks get softer.  Then when you corner them hard or the road gets bad, the valve closes to improve control.  Para siyang VTEC na shocks.  I've used them long time ago and they are great shocks.

I haven't tried Ranchero but I think they started out in the US supplying those modified trucks with lift-up kits.  I believe the design they use is a pneumatic air design.  Different company to Bilstein who is German and supplied oem to M-Benz, BMW, Porsche production cars.  I think the new GTR is Bilstein.  Bilsteins are made to last.  Other shocks are cheaper cuz they have less stricter production tolerances and are made to be replaced after a couple of years.

Just cuz the shock is not adjustable doesn't mean its not better.  For me, if you do off-roading, maybe Rancho but if its mostly street and you are going to keep your truck for a long time, Bilsteins.  After all, you'll feel the difference in your butt everytime you drive.  You can compare their price but the ride and handling are world's apart.

ikaw yata yung hindi apples to apples. kyb lang tinatanong which is an entry level brand and you go and suggest something 4x the price.

all i said was for that price, i'd go with another brand which is similar in price.

and while bilsteins are very good, they are not indestructable. i've seen lots of them that leak din over time which is common for all shocks.

[Accord GTR]

ikaw yata yung hindi apples to apples. kyb lang tinatanong which is an entry level brand and you go and suggest something 4x the price.

all i said was for that price, i'd go with another brand which is similar in price.

and while bilsteins are very good, they are not indestructable. i've seen lots of them that leak din over time which is common for all shocks.

Uh, pls read his original post, he wasn't just asking about KYB but also asked for alternatives.  Bilsteins cost 4x the price of KYB's because of their quality and performance.  IMO, if you can afford it, they are well worth it.  For the record, I don't make my money by selling other people's stuff and I'm not a dealer of car parts.  I owned a set of Bilsteins Sport shocks for several years and this is why I am recommending them.   I'd like to hear from someone who actually tried using both Rancho and Bilstein in their SUV.   I guess that's the only way to make a comparison.  But if you've never owned a set of Bilsteins, you don't really know what your missing.

I was just reacting to your comparison of Rancho vs. Bilsteins where you said, "they offer more flexibility since they can be adjusted for ride", because Bilsteins are self-adjusting and, depending on the user's requirements, MAY offer all the flexibility he may ever need.  Take note, I didn't say you were categorically wrong in suggesting that.  In fact, that's why I chose Koni adjustables in my car than Bilsteins.    But even if you put the Konis in "full soft", they couldn't compare to the ride of Bilsteins. 

I know, in the US, Bilsteins was the first to offer a "Limited Lifetime warranty:  we will replace the shocks so long as you own the car".  I think Racho has a similar claim now also.   Will the local dealer honor those warranty claims?  I dunno.  But if you were to ask me, for the same price, would I buy an American product or a German product?  Rancho vs. Bilsteins?  Like I said, that depends, if I was into serious off-roading, I'd probably consider Rancho.  For street use though, what manufacturer uses Rancho?  They sure look pretty though.