Need help with suspension

[srm2000mac]

I need to replace the rear struts on my 97 gst. I have Kyb AGX's on right now and I am just going to replace it with the same. The question I have is that when I buy them do I want to get just struts? The part# for rear struts is 741019. Can I just order any set that is that part#. I am asking because in the photos where the sleve for the springs(I have eibach sportline springs) meets the shock itself I have seen two different styles, both of which are on this auction at the bottom of the page. On my car the rear set attaches to the sleve like the ones on the right(which are for the front of the car in this auction) but all the ones I've seen advertised for the rear connet like the ones on the left. Did kyb change the style or do they just not use the exact picture for their ads. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

[bighauns]

so why are you replacing them? is it because they are shot? if that is the case (which is common with those struts) then dont get the same ones. the reason that they would be worn out is because they are not a good strut, especially if the car is lowered, is your car lowered?

[srm2000mac]

Yes they are shot. But they are shot becaues the guy that had the car before me drove it around the entire time he had it with it as low as it could possibly go. The other reason I am replacing only the back ones is because the rear is all that is bad and I am very broke at the moment. If it is possible to replace just the back with a different set for a reasonable price than I will do it.

[---]

Like bighauns said, replacing them with the car lowered, regardless of how low, will wear them out very quickly again.

Find some Tein, Tokico, etc. struts to replace them with. Struts like that are not dependable with lower, aftermarket springs and wear too quickly.

[srm2000mac]

Ok, so say that I go with the tokico ilumina's. Can I Use my same eibach springs and sleevs. And can I have the tokico's on the back while I have the kyb's on the front for a little while.

[aves911]

Okay, first to clear some stuff up.

Our cars do not have struts, a strut is a load bearing member of a suspension, think McPherson, think Subaru, think 1st gen.

We have an SLA independent suspension front and rear. Our cars use shocks.

Second, when using a shock/spring combo, there are no sleeves. A "sleeve" is the threaded component of a coilover assembly the mounts the lower spring perch to the shock body.

No to answer you question:
If you are concerned about fitment, go to KYB's homepage and cross reference the part number for the rear shocks on a 97 GST with the part number being auctioned. Most likely the people running the auction just put up a dummy picture.

Next, the AGX shocks should be fine for a moderate drop ~1.5" I used them with Tein S-tech springs for years and never had any problems. The sportlines aren't low enough to "slam" you car, should be no more than a 1.9-2.0 drop. If it is, you'll need new springs. Also, check to make sure that the bumpstops are still installed, if they last guy removed them, bottoming out the shock will kill it really quick. You can run Illumina's in the back and AGX's up front no problem. But my advice to you would be to make sure you know why your rears took a dump before you replace them or you may be buying a new set of shocks again here in a couple months.

-Jacob

[srm2000mac]

So than if I got the illuminas can I still use my old sleeve and spring that was on my agx's. Would the perch on the shock itself be the same or would I have to get a different sleeve.

[aves911]

The springs will fit the Illuminas.

[srm2000mac]

Ok. Thanks for the info.