Aftermarket front struts?

[steveo]

Can anyone recommend a good set if avaliable at reasonble cost?

Ive just done the rear monore strut mod and am very please with the results

Thanks
Steveo

[kennysmith]

I can't find any threads on the rear monroe strut mod. What's that?

[Eli]

Rear Shock Replacement-My Version

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

I think I read somewhere that EP3 Honda Civic front struts (or RSX) are better replacements than our Insight ones?

Can anyone confirm that they have done this on their vehicle?

[JoelR]

I'm hoping to find a solution via Koni very soon. I've already sliced open a strut to take measurements for a retrofit cartridge/insert but wanted their advice so I shipped my old shocks/struts to Pro Parts (Koni shop) and am due to hear word back on what they can offer.

I know the design of the Civic/RSX is similar with the integrated steering arm on the strut but it's quite different (Insight=flat, Civic/RSX=s-curved steering arm). If they are still swappable, it could open up a lot of options for the Insight.

Joel

[Blue-Civic-Hybrid]

Originally Posted by JoelR

I'm hoping to find a solution via Koni very soon. I've already sliced open a strut to take measurements for a retrofit cartridge/insert but wanted their advice so I shipped my old shocks/struts to Pro Parts (Koni shop) and am due to hear word back on what they can offer.

I know the design of the Civic/RSX is similar with the integrated steering arm on the strut but it's quite different (Insight=flat, Civic/RSX=s-curved steering arm). If they are still swappable, it could open up a lot of options for the Insight.

Joel

I just looked over the drawings of the front shocks of both the EP3 and the DC5, looks like they would require some heavy grafting to make them work.

I can't wait for your updates Joel!!

[02insight]

Originally Posted by JoelR

I'm hoping to find a solution via Koni very soon. I've already sliced open a strut to take measurements for a retrofit cartridge/insert but wanted their advice so I shipped my old shocks/struts to Pro Parts (Koni shop) and am due to hear word back on what they can offer.

did you hear anything from them yet? Can you share the measurements you made.

I was looking at monroe's catalog, and they also have strut cartridges. From the rough measurements I made without cutting mine open, i was able to get aprox. 6" travel, 12.5" length of body, and 1 5/8" diameter. (not accurate at all, used a tape measure, but it gives a rough idea)

If we get the same success we got from the monroe's in the rear, we might be able to find a suitable cartridge for the fronts.

here is monroe's catalog (cartridges on page 21)
http://www.monroe.com/assets/downloa...engthSheet.pdf

[JoelR]

I spoke to Pro Parts on Friday but they havent looked at my struts yet. Eta is later this week. We did talk rear shocks though and he gave me dimensions of the Koni application for the Monroe 5752 but it's too long. He suggested the early Porsche 366 rear shock (80-1011) and indeed the dimensions are very close. At $109 each, they're more than the monroes but you would gain rebound adjustability. They'd still require the Homer mod to fit.

Regarding Monroe cartridges, keep in mind they would need housings designed to contain them. A housing designed for cartridges typically has a threaded top. The Konis are designed for a retrofit application and thus are designed to be bolted to your existing housing. If Monroe sells that type as well, I haven't heard mention of it.

Joel

[02insight]

Originally Posted by JoelR

Regarding Monroe cartridges, keep in mind they would need housings designed to contain them. A housing designed for cartridges typically has a threaded top. The Konis are designed for a retrofit application and thus are designed to be bolted to your existing housing. If Monroe sells that type as well, I haven't heard mention of it.

Joel

yeah, the threaded top is an issue, but just like someone figured out a mod to make the rears work, i'm sure someone can figure out a hack to make cartridges work

I think there are 2 types people we are talking about when it comes to replacement shocks.

those who want the cheapest option possible which is a good compromise between cost and comfort (ie. pipe mounting in the rear monroe's mod)

and those who want something that is not hacked up, but custom made, higher performance than stock (koni's, kyb or those custom konis that sold for more than 1k on here some time ago..)

[steveo]

Please keep us posted on your front struts

mine are overdue at 230k, i think they are originals

-steveo