I got my new Tokico struts today in Ogdensburg, NY. The left front KYB has puked out all it's fluid and the other 3 feel tired. I figured I'd try the Tokico HP struts since most folks buy the KYB GR-2 as replacements. Saturday looks like a decent day around 1-2°C, 34-36°F, so I should be able to install them and test drive them on dry roads then. I'm looking forward to it.
Well, the job is complete and all I can say is Wow!!!The car has been transformed. After the install of my Tein S-Tech springs, the handling was great but the ride was very harsh and choppy. Not anymore. The car rides smoother than stock springs and the handling is amazing. The roads here are extremely rough with big frost heaves starting to form. The Tokicos seem to absorb the bumps more smoothly and rebound much faster so road contact is maintained, allowing the car to keep it's line without chattering or hopping. Even at 75mph through some bumpy corners no steering corrections were needed. I only drove it about 20 miles today but I can't wait to drive to Ottawa and back for a better overall test. I paid $266.80 delivered, about the same price as KYB GR-2s which are pretty much the same as the OEM KYB nitrogen struts. If I knew how good these struts were, I would have installed them when I did the S-Techs. They are highly recommended.
Nice! Glad to hear they are working better than OEM. Where did you get them? Nice price too! The only way I would every drop a car again would be to have aftermarket shocks and struts as well. What parts of the original shocks/struts did you need to use again with the Tokico's? Ho long did it take you?
My Fleet:
'15 Ford Fusion AWD Titanium 2.0 Tutbo
'14 Lincoln MXZ AWD 2.0 Turbo
'14 Nissan Pathfinder AWD SL
'05 Pontiac Vibe AWD
I got them from Motor Sports Direct of Florida. They are full replacement struts, only the top strut mounts are re-used. That and the price is why I didn't buy Koni. This is the 4th time I've done struts or springs on a Vibe but it still took me at least 5 hours. I'm very meticulous and things were very salty and rusty to work with.