KYB W201 Strut Mount - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mxfrank · #1 11-12-2015, 10:38 PM

I replaced my broken strut mounts today, going with KYB for a change. The parts seem well made and fit well. Only caveat is that the mount was entirely painted in chassis black, so it's hard to say how the rubber looks. I replaced the strut dust boots while I was in there, also with KYB parts. The design of the KYB boot is very different from stock, and I think it's better. The shock bumper forms the top of the boot, and the accordion snaps right into it. This forms a tight seal, much better than the original style which leaves a gap. We'll see how long this stuff holds up.

sixto · #2 11-12-2015, 11:18 PM

Is everything made in Japan? China?

Sixto
83 300SD

Maxbumpo · #3 11-13-2015, 09:09 AM

I installed some KYB front suspension struts and hood lift struts on our '96 Infiniti, and they are junk. One suspension strut failed right out of the box and had to be returned for a warranty replacement. They ride much firmer than the original factory struts, so the car is not pleasant at all to drive now. The hood struts lasted about a year or two and then died, so back to propping the hood open with a stick.

Be ready for your KYB mounts to die early.

The gap at the top may be required for proper airflow. Struts get hot while in use you know...

Mxfrank · #4 11-13-2015, 10:40 AM

The boots are marked USA, the mounts are market Thailand (a first I've seen). Country of origin has no meaning these days. It only refers to the last place an operation was performed on the part. So the mounts could have been sprayed black in Thailand, but made somewhere else. Country of origin has political value only.

The slots are not needed for ventilation, it's not a strong point in the design.

Stretch · #5 11-13-2015, 01:05 PM

I have heard dreadful things about KYB in the Mercedes world but they are quite a large manufacturer...

...same thing goes for Monroe - they seem to have a bad name in Mercedes land but for many an old (European) Ford...

...I guess KYB can't be as bad as some Febi re-boxed rubbish - can they?

TnBob · #6 11-13-2015, 02:24 PM

Any input on Sensen struts ??

Mxfrank · #7 11-14-2015, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TnBob

Any input on Sensen struts ??

They have a poor reputation. And stop with the fake Jefferson quotes.

TnBob · #8 11-14-2015, 12:56 PM

Is this more gooder ?

JamesDean · #9 11-14-2015, 10:43 PM

When I had to do this job on my W124 I decided to go with the genuine MB part, they were going for about $55/each at the time. I think the other brands were in the mid to upper $40s. If that were the case still, I'd go for MB. Not that big of a price jump for them.