SuperCoupe400

Last summer I swaped my OEM front UCA & LCA bushings for the Daizens. After which my car started taking bumps like a fork-lift.

I figured (and it was suggested by others too) that a primary reason for this may be because I was still riding on the original struts (170k mi). So I just got around to swaping those out for a set of KYB GR2s today. And the ride quality is no better (softer) than before.

For the record, I'm not a tuner, racer, drifter or in any way, shape or form in pursuit of the ultimate cornering machine. All I ever wanted was for my Lexus to ride like a Lexus, not like a freakin go-cart where I'm feeling every single expansion joint in the pavement.

Should I give the new struts some time to wear-in? If so, how much? 500 miles, maybe?

I'm definately going to be swapping my UCA bushings back to rubber. I know I can't get them from the dealer (as they only come as part of the UCA assembly), but I think there is a guy over in Australia who makes them custom.

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

Yea I think the control arm bushings are the main reason for the harshness. If you can not stand the ride, switch all of them back to rubber. The Vlamos bushings should ride nicer, but they are pretty pricey: http://www.vftbushes.com/. At the current exchange rate, the upper and lower bushing set is about $400usd + shipping.

On another note, you may want to consider the mkiv supra lower control arms since you get new bushings and a new balljoint for a decent price. Not sure how much it was to get the bushings pressed in, but these may end up being cheaper.

The kyb's should be valved a bit stiffer than oem so the result is decreased ride comfort. For they price though, they are a good replacement. The oem shocks will give you the oem ride quality. If you decide to use oem shocks, one thing to note is that the 97-00 rears are considerably cheaper than previous years.

SuperCoupe400

So, basically then, I've just *****ed-up my ride.

I was trying to stay on the low end (price-wise) with the struts. And the only two that kept coming up as options where the KYBs and Monroe. I was steered away from the Monroe because they would likely not have the extended wear of the KYBs.

It'll be next summer before I'm able to scrape together more money for replacement bushings or swapping more struts.

Oh well.

5sp_jzz30

iTrader: (2)

i had tokico shocks on my car for a long time and they were couch soft...just like stock. i got them only because it was a steal of a price and i wanted something to lower my cars 4x4 ride height.

kyb shocks are a bit stiffer then tokicos. what you can do is find someone locally that want a bit better handling and will buy your setup. have them give you the money up front, buy your next suspension, install, and then give them yours. that way both of you will get what you want and your can wont be out of commission while you wait for the parts.

if you want oem ride get oem parts.

i, on the other hand, want a cornering machine so to some extent even poly bushings arent enough. will be switching to full spherical bearing rod end links by next summer

SuperCoupe400

[QUOTE=5sp_jzz30;3974171]

if you want oem ride get oem parts.

[QUOTE]

I know, I know... I just needed to get around spending OEM money. I guess I didn't do enough research on ride quality. Too many people defining them as "great" and "awsome" instead of "firm" and "stiff".

Oh well... Live and learn.

5sp_jzz30

iTrader: (2)

for some people, including myself, firm and stiff IS great and good.

if you ask a drifter/track person about ride quality and a person that just daily drives their SC the answers will be night and day. different strokes for different folks.

i have some control arms with good bushings. if you wanna trade or some other arrangement for your ones with poly stuff we should talk

slappy96

Supra lower control arms and Bilstein HD/Supra springs are the best of everything. I'm sorry you spent the money on the KYB's and don't like it. If you want to do it right do the above. You can substitute Hypercoil springs if you want a bit more performance. Search gixxxer drew thread for details.

gabegtz84

I agree! My favorite tune for a street driving machine

818sc400

you can get kyb agx adjustable shocks/strut. there are four settings softest, soft, stiff, stiffest. i have mines on soft and they ride like oem

TheMole

iTrader: (13)

Too bad there is no agx application for the 92-00 SC unless you use supra springs...

818sc400

oh yea forgot to mention that. im on supra kyb and supra eibachs

Matador

Ive run supra kyb and supra eibachs for over a year on one car, I didnt have the adjustable stiffness setting on the kybs, but they rode nothing like stock.

Deceptik1

iTrader: (6)

AGX with Supra TT Eibachs on the softest settings does not ride like stock, and I've had this setup for several years with stock bushings and later upgraded to Daizen's.

818sc400

feels pretty stock to me. im happy with them