Select a strut time...

[TankII]

So... The post office lost my front Koni I sent for repair. I've got a Sensatrac on the right front and the remaining Koni on the left front. Considering the last time the left-front was an OE-Spectrum (when I last sent the pair out for rebuild), the Sensatrac was significantly better all around.
However... The Koni on the highway is floaty vs the Sensatrac, and that's with it cranked all the way.
My set of SACHS on the '01 Stratus were similar to the Konis - very firm at low speed. Floaty at high speed with the softer upper control arm bushings, but OK with the OEM bushings. I figure, since I welded the strut-rod pivots, they would be a good option for the SHO.
Alternative #1 are Gabriels, which were SIGNIFICANTLY better than OE Spectrums on our '06 Grand Caravan - they felt the equivalent of the Sensatracs.
Alternative #2 are KYB's. Back in '99, I put them on my wife's Sundance as the Gabriel Gas-Ryder struts at the time were really crappy - Pogo anyone? I have used KYB's on a variety of vehicles over the years with mostly good luck, but never on the SHO.
So... What are people's opinions on these three choices?
I've never run Moogs - They seem to be engineered like Sachs based on the technical details on-line.

 

[luigisho]

I'll be interested with what your experience is with whatever you choose. I need new fronts and I never found an aftermarket since Tokico that I liked.

 

[luigisho]

I wonder if the ACDelco were any good? I don't know the specs or if they were just relabelled.

 

[rubydist]

The KYB seemed to have a poor reputation among the SHO crowd, but I don't believe I have ever had them on any of the SHOs that I have had so I cannot say from personal experience.

 

[TankII]

I'll be interested with what your experience is with whatever you choose. I need new fronts and I never found an aftermarket since Tokico that I liked.

What have you tried? Just so I can eliminate an option unless it has been re-engineered like the latest Gabriel's.

 

[luigisho]

Other than OEM Motorcraft, Koni and Tokico I used Sensatrac. I didn't love them. Some people stated they thought they were ok. I heard the same as rubydist regarding kyb-- although I have heard some people liked them but they didn't last very long. I haven't seen much about Moog and I don't see a slam dunk go to replacement that have a general consensus as being really good. I saw some new old stock acdelco discontinued aftermarket replacements on ebay but I never heard feedback about them. All the aftermarket seem to be more in line with regular taurus spring rate replacements. Slim pickins for us.

 

[TankII]

My KYB experience on the stratus is they were great, but lasted just three years here in CT - and they come with a two year warranty.
The shocks on my '79 Suburban lasted forever, same with the strut inserts on my '72 Cricket and my '73 Capri. The Suburban had gas-a-just variable rate shocks, the older cars single-rate struts. It seems their variable-rate struts are not as well built as the single-rate ones used to be. Maybe they changed in the past couple years, I don't know. I would never have recommended Gabriel for any strut (only shocks) until I tried their Ultra series on the Minivan. It's a new generation, and a significant improvement. That is the opposite experience I've had with Monroe!
Nobody has tried Sachs on a SHO?

 

[luigisho]

I'm sure some have but we get smaller traffic in the old cars section these days. Searching archived posts may produce something.

 

[NoSlo]

The KYB GR-2s worked fine all around for me for many years.

 

[TankII]

Found this review from '04.
http://www.panix.com/~awinbow/sho/suspension.html
It is stating the SACHS struts are OE SHO equivalent.
Going to comb through the SHOTimes emails I have and the forum to see what others have tried.

 

[luigisho]

Deep pull. I haven't heard Alex's name in forever.

 

[luigisho]

https://shoforum.com/index.php?threads/sachs-struts.123129/

This is from the GenIII section

 

[TankII]

For the insane low price of $5.53 each, Gabriel Ultra struts are on closeout at Rockauto.
Cheap enough to test! If they work well, then I'll let everyone know. If not, I'll get some Sachs struts.

 

[luigisho]

Report back. Is this a daily or a knock around car?

 

[TankII]

258K mile summer fun car. Haven't autocrossed it in 12 years, haven't track run it in 16. Just did engine bearings and injectors so I can start Towing again (daughter moved out of the house)
I had been thinking of bringing it to the September event, but that depends on the pandemic rules.

 

[tracy_s_1993_atx]

So... The post office lost my front Koni I sent for repair. .

Can you please share the name of the repair shop for your Koni. I have a set of front adjustable Koni's that I would like to have rebuilt.

Thanks,
Michael

 

[Bryan]

I got Moog on my 92 SHO all the way around. They ride pretty good.

 

[Jbeck]

The KYB seemed to have a poor reputation among the SHO crowd, but I don't believe I have ever had them on any of the SHOs that I have had so I cannot say from personal experience.

My 90 actually had KYB on rear and Sachs on front....there was a noticeable difference in the 2...The Sachs were nice and firm at low speed and felt like the valving loosened up at at higher speed as the demand increased...The KYBs on the rear seamed to act the same regardless of speed..they were firm and responsive but couldn't feel any change as speed varied.

 

[TankII]

Can you please share the name of the repair shop for your Koni. I have a set of front adjustable Koni's that I would like to have rebuilt.

Thanks,
Michael

I have my original receipt, so I ship mine off to Koni directly.
They will continue to rebuild them even though they are out of production.

 

[TankII]

My 90 actually had KYB on rear and Sachs on front....there was a noticeable difference in the 2...The Sachs were nice and firm at low speed and felt like the valving loosened up at at higher speed as the demand increased...The KYBs on the rear seamed to act the same regardless of speed..they were firm and responsive but couldn't feel any change as speed varied.

Your KYB comment: That's how my Konis are - in the rear. They are consistent performers even when I'm towing a heavy load. I think the front has too much additional weight for the valving when at speed, as only the front gets floaty - and becomes a handful in uneven corners or corners with bumps. At low speeds, when cranked down, the entire car rattles in the front, but doesn't lose composure.