Shock Insert or New Strut?

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed May 06, 2009 5:43 pm

Before I get flamed, I DID search, and I couldn't come up with anything definite. That being said...

I've got Tokico HP blues with Eibach Pro-kit. It's an awesome right height, and quite stiff. However, my front right strut...the shock actually...is bent, and blew obviously. Also, it screwed up the tophat. I will buy a new tophat, as it needs replacing, but the strut itself is what I'm wondering about...

Since the shock itself is bent, and not the perch or strut, can I just buy one insert and replace the bent/blown one within the HP strut? Or do I need to buy an entire new strut/shock assembly? I'm not new to lowering and the process, but I am new to just replacing shocks, etc...please help with any information you may have.

I'd obviously like to swap out inserts, since it's cheaper and I'm quite capable, but I need to know if it's possible, and which insert is best (Koni, OEM, etc..). Thanks.

Mopar00Neon · Post by **Mopar00Neon** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:28 pm

Stock based struts do not have a removable insert. Youll need to replace the entire unit.

I have Koni inserts in my car, but I had to cut open stock struts to remove the ram and install them. Its a fair amount of work, and I wouldnt recomend it for most people.

The Konis are sold in pairs. I wouldnt do just one, or even just two. Do them all, or just get one new strut to replace your damaged one.

Speeder · Post by **Speeder** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:30 pm

i say just a new strut and tophat

looking at my HP bluesstrut its all one unit you can not take them apart

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:35 pm

mopar- I read your posts from however long ago (using the ol' search effectively) and it seems like I could not do that.

Price-wise, it's pretty much the same. Thanks for the help and input, I guess I know what lies ahead...

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Wed May 06, 2009 6:50 pm

Does anyone happen to know how close the Tokico perch height in comparison to the SRT strut perch height? I know Tokico perches are taller than non-SRT ones, since I easily 17's with a 50 series. If I put an SRT strut in there, would I retain the same ride height as the Tokicos are giving me with the same spring?

latief · Post by **latief** » Thu May 07, 2009 10:29 am

I just switched from the srt strut to the tokico strut. there is a slight difference in perch height (srt being higher) therefore your car will slightly lower on the tokicos.

check it out in my suspension thread (dropped on bbs rims) i have pictures of both scenarios.....

by the way, are you sure you could run the 205 50 tires on the tokicos? what is the offset of your rims?

thanks,

lilnicko11 · Post by **lilnicko11** » Thu May 07, 2009 11:10 am

strut it up

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Thu May 07, 2009 1:05 pm

Did you buy the kit with the tokico springs? If so you can just get 1 HP Blue from tokico and swap the spring no problem.

If you are going to do inserts all it really takes is a hacksaw, drill, tape measure, and, time. Get koni's they are the best you can get for these cars.

FAC3L3SS · Post by **FAC3L3SS** » Thu May 07, 2009 9:33 pm

pricing them out.... 1 HP strut is what i'm going to do.

yes, 17x7, 42 offset, 215/50/17