KYB 50th Anniversary

KYB Celebrates Our 50th Anniversary in North America!

In the summer of 1974, KYB introduced a limited line of Macpherson Strut replacement cartridges, Gas-a-Just and Premium Heavy Duty shock absorbers to North America. Relatively unknown in the automotive markets outside of Japan, the high quality, dependable and highly engineered KYB shock absorbers quickly took hold with a cost and quality conscience public.

 

KYB took full advantage of the economically booming ‘80s, building a new 500,000 square foot North American manufacturing plant in Franklin, Indiana just outside of Indianapolis. The Franklin plant has been building OE and aftermarket shocks and struts since 1986.

 

Read the whole story here 

 

KYB: This Is Why We Do It

How do you know when you need new shocks? Vehicle owners often do not know if shocks and struts are worn since it happens gradually over time.

KYB and 3 people who have daily driven vehicles with worn suspension components find out if their vehicles will benefit from new KYB parts. To establish a baseline, a road test was done to find out how worn suspension parts performed. The road test was completed using the techniques from the KYB 3 Minute Mile. Then the new KYB shocks, struts, Strut-Plus and mounts were installed and another road test was done. The driver reactions and performance of the vehicles speak for themselves!

Click Here to learn more about KYB’s product lineup

KYB: This Is Why We Do It (Teaser)

How do you know when you need new shocks? Vehicle owners are not usually aware that their shocks and struts are worn, since it happens gradually over time.

KYB and 3 people who have daily driven vehicles with worn suspension components find out if their vehicles will benefit with new KYB parts. To establish a baseline, a road test was done to find out how worn suspension parts performed. The road test was completed using the techniques from the KYB 3 Minute Mile. Then the new KYB shocks, struts, Strut-Plus and mounts installed and another road test was done. The driver reactions and performance of the vehicles speak for themselves!

 

Full video coming Monday, the 10th!

KYB Strut Installation Pro Tips

KYB Strut Installation Pro Tips Video

 

Only installing shocks? Click Here.

Click here for the full installation video featuring both shocks & struts.

 

Let’s review some helpful tips for installing struts!

Always follow manufacturers’ instructions and adhere to specified torque specs. Make sure that you have the correct KYB parts for your vehicle, the right tools & a safe space to work.

KYB’s team of experts put together this list of best practices for replacing worn components with new struts. This isn’t a comprehensive how to install struts video, just advice based on decades of experience. Visit www.kyb.com for more information.

Installing struts may seem simple. With these professional tips, it can be!

KYB Shock Installation Tips

KYB Shock Installation Pro Tips Video

 

Only installing struts? Click Here.

Click here for the full installation video featuring both shocks & struts.

 

Let’s review some helpful tips for installing new KYB shocks!

Always follow manufacturers’ instructions and adhere to specified torque specs. Make sure that you have the correct KYB parts for your vehicle, the right tools & a safe space to work.

KYB’s team of experts put together this list of best practices for replacing worn components with new shocks. This isn’t a comprehensive how to install shocks video, just advice based on decades of experience. Visit www.kyb.com for more information.

Installing shocks may seem simple. With these professional tips, it can be!

KYB Shock & Strut Installation Pro Tips

KYB Shock & Strut Installation Pro Tips Video

 

Only installing shocks? Click here.

Only installing struts? Click Here.

 

Let’s review some helpful tips for installing new KYB shocks & struts!

Always follow manufacturers’ instructions and adhere to specified torque specs. Make sure that you have the correct KYB parts for your vehicle, the right tools & a safe space to work.

KYB’s team of experts put together this list of best practices for replacing worn components with new shocks & struts. This isn’t a comprehensive how to install shocks & struts video, just advice based on decades of experience. Visit www.kyb.com for more information.

Installing shocks may seem simple. With these professional tips, it can be!

KYB Shock & Strut Installation Pro Tips Teaser

Introduction to the new KYB installation video

 

Full installation video out now, shocks only and struts only videos are also available.

 

Always follow manufacturers’ instructions and adhere to specified torque specs. Make sure that you have the correct KYB parts for your vehicle, the right tools & a safe space to work.

KYB’s team of experts put together this list of best practices for replacing worn components with new shocks and struts. This isn’t a comprehensive how to install shocks and struts video, just advice based on decades of experience. Visit www.kyb.com for more information.

Installing shocks and struts may seem simple. With these professional tips, it can be!

#12: Inside a Monotube Shock

Monotube shocks are becoming more and more popular on performance cars, SUVs, trucks and 4x4s. This short video breaks down how a monotube shock works and why it can be a great choice for people who want more handling and control.

The difference in monotube and twin-tube shocks is the design and how they perform on the vehicle. A monotube shock has one cylinder, but two pistons, one is attached to the rod while the second floating piston separates the nitrogen gas from the hydraulic fluid. Monotube shocks react quickly and deliver increased control on-demand. When you need more control, in an emergency situation or hauling a heavy load, the floating piston compresses and then pushes back hard to help keep the vehicle level and keep you in control.

Larger, heavier aftermarket wheels and tires can weigh 25-30 pounds more than the original wheels and tires. Monotube shocks like the KYB Gas-a-Just and MonoMax help manage the extra unsprung weight of aftermarket tires and wheels. Monotube shock absorbers are the correct choice for anyone who wants additional handling and control from their truck or SUV.

#11: Choosing the Best Complete Strut Assembly for Trucks

KYB offers a few different complete strut assemblies for trucks and 4x4s. They are all built to the highest quality and performance standards, the difference has nothing to do with quality, but really, what your goals are and how you are using your truck. This short video will help you decide what the best complete strut assembly is for your truck.

If your goal is to restore designed vehicle control, the best loaded strut for you would be the KYB Strut-Plus. The Strut-Plus includes a high carbon steel coil spring that had been cycle tested for strength and includes a KYB strut, featuring vehicle specific damping valves. These help restore the handling and feel of your truck to what the manufacturer intended. For people who want more control capabilities, for things like towing and hauling, the right loaded strut is the KYB Truck-Plus Performance Assembly. The struts used in these assemblies have increased damping and are perfect for towing.

Some people want to raise the front of their truck for a more level appearance. For them, the best strut assembly is the KYB Truck-Plus Leveling Assembly. This product comes assembled with a leveling kit and is designed to raise the front of a truck about two inches.

KYB does offer you choices, but choosing the right truck strut assembly is easy as long as you know what your goal is.

#10: The Difference Between Monotube and Twin-Tube Shocks

For truck owners, choosing the best truck shock usually comes down to deciding between a monotube and a twin-tube design. Both shocks work well, and it just depends what type of shocks your truck came with from the factory, and how you are using your truck. If your truck came with a twin-tube shock, then a twin-tube, like the KYB Excel-G will be the correct, performance restoring designed shock. A higher pressure monotube, like the KYB Gas-a-just or MonoMax will deliver additional control and load-carrying capabilities. Some trucks did come factory equipped with monotube shock absorbers, for these vehicles we recommend only ever using a monotube design. The KYB Gas-a-just will be the correct, OE performance restoring design, while the MonoMax will be your performance upgrade option. You can count on the KYB catalog at kyb.com to let you know what the recommended OE design and which part is a performance upgrade.

Monotube shocks and twin-tube shocks work a little differently. A monotube has one tube and the nitrogen gas and hydraulic fluid are separated by a floating piston. This design responds quickly and gives you additional control and damping on demand. Twin-tube shocks are still gas charged, but the gas and oil are mixed in the working cylinder, and while they work great for normal driving, they may not be the best choice if you are using your truck a lot of different ways and are towing and hauling.