Hi,

My mother's 97 plymouth breeze is getting up there in miles, and needs new shocks. It rides a little harsher, and the dealer quoted $450 per axle. These arent really shocks, but more like a strut of some sort, where the spring is part of the shock assembly... Not something that I want to handle...

Anyway, Is there a better option than Mopar replacements? Ive never really heard much good about typical American replacements, and Bilstein is the only regular shock that Id think about replacing them with, if I avoided OE, but I dont really know too much about the offerings. The car gets really severe service. It is a great running, driving, and handling car, believe it or not, and has been troubel free and returned excellent mileage. We are very happy with it, especially with the bum wrap that US made cars get.

So any reccomendations would be great. Im not opposed to any brand, etc., so long as its high quality and will last a LONG time. We dont need any sort of performance items, but if a performance shock will give an even better ride and last longer in the application, then its worth considering.

Please let me know. Thanks for the advice!

JMH

If they make them, I would go with KYB GR-2 from tirerack.com. Can't go wrong with these, especially for the price.

Replaced 97 Stratus with Monroe sensa=trac @ 75k, and the ride was improved over OEM. Vehicle now has 140k and the ride is OK with good highway stability. I would go KYB now if I had the opportunity. Better value.
When they pull the rear tires, you can have them install a zerk fitting into the rear suspension and eliminate that squeak if you have it!!!

KYB GR-2 is also available from Rockauto.com

OK, thanks everyone... Will be going with the KYB GR-2 and the Michelin Hydroedge tires. This should keep my mother driving smooth and safe for a long while more, and take advantage of the good handling that this car has.

JMH

Even KYB's quality has been deterioriating like crazy these days. 2 Incidents to recall:

(a)I replaced my bad struts on my 323 rears and straight off of supplier (a reputable supplier in this geographical region) both fronts and rears were made in spain.

Put them in and had my car properly aligned. Those **** thing lasted approx. 10 months (approx. 14000kms) and all 4 of them were shot: no pressure, no control.

The good news was that those were the KYBs under older warranty policies (lifetime limited) and after a bit of negotiation with the supplier/regional KYB rep, he gladly took those back and gave me a full refund (I bought a set of Tokico Luminas for that).

(2)Stock 2001 Civics (esp. rears) uses US manufactured KYBs. On of the rears on my dad's car (brand-spanking new car, straight off the dealer's lot) decided to go bad in about 22000kms and it took me 5 tries and numerous dealership visits before the problem was acknowledged and fixed under warranty. After 48000kms, the other side give off the ghost and was also replaced under warranty. Both marked as Honda OE parts with KYB USA on them.

I ended up pursuing Tokicos on them altogether and it's been good ever since.

I wouldn't touch on KYBs on a 10-ft pole these days.

Although KYB made the struts, they were made to Honda's specification.

My Ford Mustang came with struts made for Ford by Tokico. Are they anything like the aftermarket Tokico struts? They are not.

Although KYB made the struts, they were made to Honda's specification

Yeah, kind of like how Fram makes Honda oil filters to 'Honda's' specifications. LOL

I had a pair of Monroe Formula GP shocks/struts on my 5.0 Mustang, and they were very good quality.

Yes, it's is spec'ed to Honda's spec but the quality sucks though.

To me it's just a sign that KYB no longer being considered of good quality.

Doesn't matter anymore. My sources said that KYB's quality no longer there.

The only exception would be shocks straight from Japan KYB manufacturing line. I bought a set of 4 for my wife's previous 4-runner and it's been great!

JHZR22 - Any developments?

yes - we got KYB GR-2 struts put on in all 45 corners. The car sits higher as of now, but it'll likely settle some. It is firmer than before, and they work very well with the handling characteristics of the car!

Thanks,

JMH

If you don't mind, what did it cost for the struts, and installation, alignment. Break the price down for each if you can. Seems to be a wide variance of what people pay for this stuff. I tend to favor KYB and was interested in the criticism directed against their failing quality, and hope they work out well for youse.

The cost was $500 for front and rear. I dont have the breakdown, but know the alignment (we got tires and so had a 50% off alignment coupon) was ~$30.

From car to car there is a wide variety in price.

JMH