H&R with KYB review, AND How the !@#% to adjust KYB rear shocks?

[Automaton]

I got my H&R Sport springs and KYB AGX adjustable shocks installed a few days ago. A couple things to be aware of with this combo:

1. I wasn't sure how stiff the KYB's would be so I told the shop to set them to the lowest setting to start off with. After driving for a day or two, I noticed the lowest setting is TOO SOFT for the H&R Sport springs, so I set out to adjust the shocks.

2. The front shocks are VERY easy to adjust. Pop the hood, remove the rubber cap from the top of the shocks, and adjust the dial with a small screwdriver. I adjusted the fronts to a setting of 2 out of a possible 4. 2 feels much better than 1 did. 1 felt bouncy. 2 feels tighter but not harsh.

3. I have NO CLUE how to access the adjustment knob for the rear shocks. I know it is from inside the trunk. I removed that plastic tray at the back of the trunk by the rear seats. I then saw a small hole, through which I saw what I THINK was the top of the rear shocks. But I could not see the knob, and there was a rubber boot covering the shock. I partialy removed the large side pannel in the trunk, but did not see anything promising so I stopped short of completely removing it.

Does anyone know how to adjust the rear shocks? Is there a tutorial with pictures anywhere? From KYB's claims, I was DEFINITELY expecting adjustment to be much easier than this. As it is, I may just have to go back to the shop and have them adjust them for me.

Also, the front shocks adjust from 1 through 4, while the rears I believe adjust from 1 through 8. Does anyone know if 4 in the front is the same stiffness as 8 in the rear? If so, I would have to set the rear to 4 in order to match the 2 that I set in the front. Correct?

[DYI01]

you may have to remove the shock to get to it....but i dunno, my TEIN coilover has an adjustment knob on top of the rear strut, but the knob is pretty big and not hard to adjust.

[WRENCHHEAD]

well it may have to be taken out to get adusted as said. i had my shop cut the trunk panels so i can stick my fingers in to adjust my teins. try taking out the panels first to see if you can stick ur finger in to adjust them.

[Automaton]

Update:

The shop I took my car to for the install tried to pull a fast one on me. The reason I was so confused is that they never installed the adjustment knobs. They kept them and never told me! I called them and they said there was not room for the adjustment knobs, and they still had them there at the shop. I told them I would call KYB and find out how to do it, and let them know. KYB said they should be able to install them without removing the shocks, but most people install them before mounting the shocks onto the car. Needless to say, I have an appointment tomorrow to have the rear shocks reinstalled *with* the adjustment knobs. What a bunch of fools! The guy on the phone even asked "why do you want to adjust them?"

[DYI01]

Shady *******s!

[KSilver2000]

Damn that is a shiat. Is there any way you can go with the law on this. Damn that sounds like they were stealing it. Fools. I would ask them for a refund on install and take it elsewhere. Who knows what they'll do next.

[HilfigerCelica]

*******s.

[Automaton]

The car is back at the shop right now. I think what happened is the *******s just got lazy. They got the shocks in and then couldn't fit their fat greasy hands in to attach the adjustment knobs. So instead they just gave up and hoped I wouldn't notice.

[speedeeGTS]

let us know how it is when you get your car back. i was thinking about gettign that combo. but im thinking otherwise if i get stories like this.....

[nxracer]

You STILL won't be able to adjust them with the rear panels on. From what I hear they are harder to adjust than Koni's

[nxracer]

KYB is a push and twist where Koni has a nice little ear to adjust the shock. Of course the Koni supplied knob won't work.

So most of us autocrossers made tools like this

[mirconrice]

well i will be installing the KYB shocks in this weekend, any pointers or suggestion on installing them to make the install a sucess. I have skunk2 coilovers on at the moment. It shouldn't be too bad of an install. I will be using a torque wrench only...no access to a airgun, :( give me some advice, thanks.

[wickedpete]

I will be doing an H&R/KYB AGX install this weekend as well. All tips are appreciated and maybe some install pics. Thanks! I'll let you all know my review afterwards as well!

[Automaton]

I got the car back. The knobs are on, and the rears are adjusted to a setting of 2. The ride and handling are much better now that the rears are not set to 1.

My first tip is don't set the KYB's to 1 if you have the H&R Sport springs. It will be bouncy. Set them to 2. I haven't gone higher than 2, but I think 3 & 4 might be too firm for daily use.

Regarding trimming the bumpstops... KYB said they should be trimmed according to the spring manufacturer's recomendations. H&R told me that as long as the KYB's are the same length as stock shocks (which KYB says they are), then we should *not* cut the bumpstops on the Celica. Other cars H&R makes Sports springs for require cutting bumpstops, but ours are designed to work with the stock bumpstops. The shop questioned me on why I told them not to cut the bumpstops. They said I would be hitting them so hard all the time, and that they always cut bumpstops with lower springs. But so far I have not had any problems with bad ride quality. I have driven over potholes, and railroad tracks, and uneven freeways, and never had a problem.

[uansari]

Cool...I finally get an opportunity to spit some wisdom to someone...I've had the KYB AGX shocks since September or October...

When I had the shop install the shocks, they installed them without the knobs as well, and the shocks were set to 3, which gave me a headache...so I set about to figure out how to adjust them. The fronts were really easy, as was previously stated. The rears, however, were a different story. I ended up having to remove the plastics from inside the hatch area. (The picture above looks familiar) There isn't really much space to just reach in and install the knob, so I used needle nose pliers to install them. It took a while to find the right way to hold the knob with the pliers, so it was a bit problematic. **I suggest that you tie a string to the knob, so that if it falls, you can easily pull it out and try again.** I finally was able to place the knob on. I then used the pliers to grip the knob, push it down, and turn it. Once you turn it a little bit, you can finish the turn with your fingers, so you can feel the knob click when it hits the next setting. Also, the knob will pop up again. I just left the knobs installed onto both of the rear shocks, so now, I just have to remove the plastics and use pliers to adjust them. The hardest part about all of this, was removing the plastics. That's how easy it is. Just be patient, and the knob will go on without a problem. Also, make sure that once it's placed in position, just push down a little to make sure it's properly seated.

Problem solved.

If anyone has any specific questions or comments, make them in this thread. I will subscribe to this thread and check it to make sure I can answer any of your questions.

Before you guys ask about my impressions of the shocks, I like them a lot. Although they're stiffer than stock on even the lowest setting (1), they are not uncomfortable (unless you drive on crappy pavement or a hit a bump). Once the knobs are installed, it's very easy to make adjustments to the shocks. Just remember that you need a pair of needle nose pliers to make the rear adjustments, but it's really easy.

Lemme know if anyone has any questions,

Usman

[mirconrice]

wus up man, did you install the shocks yourself or did you have someone else install them for you? if you did it yourself, did you encounter any problems? or do you have any advice on installing them to make it less painful. Thanks for the review.

[nxracer]

To make the installation of "any" rear shock kind of pain less...

Remove all the panels
Remove bottom shock bolt
Remove three top bolts
Remove the lower sway bar link
And now the fun part, or the trick

Remove the three bolts on the front of the trailing arm, arm drops and the shock pretty much falls out.

To reinstall
install the three top bolts (not really tight)
install the lower bolt (tight)
tighten top bolts
lift trailing arm back into position (a small jack makes life easier)
install/tighten the bolts
re attach the sway bar.

[uansari]

Originally posted by mirconrice
wus up man, did you install the shocks yourself or did you have someone else install them for you? if you did it yourself, did you encounter any problems? or do you have any advice on installing them to make it less painful. Thanks for the review.

I didn't install them myself, since I don't really have a place to do that kind of work. No problem about the review though...let me know if you have any more questions, although I can't see how you would. The shocks aren't really that hard to work with once everything's on them...

Usman

[wickedpete]

is there a respones to the original setting question? Since one has 4 settings and the other 8, do they correspond with one another? What is the best setting?

[uansari]

I have mine set at 1 all the way around...I tried 3 then 2 as well, but I found them too stiff for Cincinnati roads...the handling is great though.

I would just use trial and error to find what settings YOU like the best...

Usman

[mirconrice]

hmmm i am thinking of setting my front ones to 2 and the rear to 3 or 4...from researching on NC, this will give me more traction and will get me off the line quicker by transferring weight to the front of the car. I don't know if thats correct or not but it sounds logical to me. I am going to install them tomorrow...what size socket do I need? what kind of tools do I need?

[QTRMLR_1]

^^ did you read on NC to set the front to 2? I believe I read on Koni's website awhile back that for their adjustable shocks on FWD cars they recommend full hard front and back, to minimize weight transfer to the rear. I could be wrong but I think I read this.

[QTRMLR_1]

After reading this thread, I am suspicious that the guys who installed my AGX's also did not install my adjustment knobs on my rears. How do I know? I have a gutted car so it's easy for me to reach in and touch my rear shocks, but when I press down on that thin black plastic cylinder sticking up, it doesn't stay down and just pops back up. There is no way I can turn anything and get "clicks" like I have been reading. I could be wrong, but I think my rear shocks don't look like the one in the picture by nxracer. It's been awhile since I had the install done, so I don't know where the adjustment knobs may have gone. I assume I can order them from KYB without too much trouble I hope....

[CeLicApUnkeR]

Can u guys post pix like Automaton requested? I ordered these myself and would like to know how to adjust the rear knobs but have no clue wat ur talking about without pix.

[jdm-style]

if no one does it by the time i get home i will take pics and explain :) also u should add a little bit of glue on the knob before putting it on the shock because it can vibrate off and that wouldn't be a pretty sight.

[CeLicApUnkeR]

it would be very much appreciated if u did.

[QTRMLR_1]

where is the adj knob install guide? please....

[CeLicApUnkeR]

Originally posted by QTRMLR_1
where is the adj knob install guide? please....


did that guy forget?

[QTRMLR_1]

please...

[QTRMLR_1]

I think he was kidding about the install guide. It's probably brain-dead easy to install the adjustment knobs.

[Automaton]

Installing the knobs is as easy as just popping them onto the end of the shocks. Getting to the shocks is what is difficult. They are under 2 layers of trunk plastics that are near the back seats. KYB recommends installing the knobs before installing the shocks.

[QTRMLR_1]

ok thanks...all of my plastics are gone and I can see the shocks just by looking into my hatch area. The shop that did the install didn't install them so I hope I can order them from KYB.

[WHITECELICAGTS]

I just bought eibach springs and kyb struts

Hope i made a good choice...

[Blue Bomber]

Which Eibach springs?

[WHITECELICAGTS]

These springs...

http://www.newcelica.org/partscatalog/product_info.php?path=399

[kewlrule]

I had my KYB's installed w/ the knobs and a hole cut thru the plastics...all good. My problem was I wanted to soften the rear to 2 (from 3). When I looked thru the holes I saw one knob on 3 and one on 2.

How can you tell where the indicator is for the setting? I mean just because I see these numbers thru the hole, how do I know that is the setting?

Also, when I went to turn the 3 to 2 the freaking knob fell off! ARRRRGGGG. Can someone tell me how to find the indicator on the shock and is it worth removing the plastics to get the knob back or just order new ones?

[iPal]

i dropped mine too..
when i remove plastic to get knob...
there is no room to reach it...
i think only way to get it is take whole strut out :angry:
Originally posted by kewlrule
I had my KYB's installed w/ the knobs and a hole cut thru the plastics...all good. My problem was I wanted to soften the rear to 2 (from 3). When I looked thru the holes I saw one knob on 3 and one on 2.

How can you tell where the indicator is for the setting? I mean just because I see these numbers thru the hole, how do I know that is the setting?

Also, when I went to turn the 3 to 2 the freaking knob fell off! ARRRRGGGG. Can someone tell me how to find the indicator on the shock and is it worth removing the plastics to get the knob back or just order new ones?

[jdm-style]

holy crap i totally forgot about this guys, im so sorry. i'm at school right now but once i get home i'll do this asap.

[AutoCelica]

Question about the rear agx shock knob. does it only fit one way? cause i put the knob on after i got the shock installed and i can't really see if it is on correctly. i am not sure if i am running the right setting on both sides. can u guys help me put?

[jdm-style]

when installing the shocks into the car what you want to do is install the knob with the shocks other wise the knob WILL NOT FIT if you try to put it on after the shocks are installed on the car. also use a silicon based glue/epoxy to glue the knob on top of the shaft so it won't fall off during vibrations or hard bumps. i've had mine on for a couple months now and i've been through insane bumps but no problem at all.


make sure the indicator mark is facing towards opening .
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/6019indicator.jpg


to make adjustments easier its best to cut the panels in the shape of the opening so you don't have to take off panels each time you want to make adjustments.
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/6019Panel.jpg


the opening should be enough space to fit 2 fingers in. using thumb and pointer finger grab the sides of the knob, and push down on the knob from the sides and turn to the number you want to set it at.
http://www.newcelica.org/photopost/data/500/6019push.jpg




i hope this can help some of you having problems adjusting the rear.

[QTRMLR_1]

so I absolutely have to take the shocks down to install the knob the right way?

[jdm-style]

Originally posted by QTRMLR_1
so I absolutely have to take the shocks down to install the knob the right way?

unless you have super thin fingers yes. you really don't have to take it out all the way thou. as long as you can pull it down enough to stick the knob on you'll be fine. just remember to add a little bit silicon glue/epoxy on the knob before slaping it on. if you don't it'll vibrate off

[QTRMLR_1]

thanks....
I might be ok then as I need the smaller shift knobs to drive my car.

[mackeywatson]

Um, some of you guys are thinking that the rear shocks have 8 settings, but it actually only has four. I know KYB says they have 8, but not for Celicas. Just FYI.