I need to replace the rear struts on my 96 Accord. I do not care to lower the car (Snow and potholes). In the spring maybe the fronts and bushings. If in the end I get the same ride as new, that will be fine.

So, here is the question (And try not to laugh). Are the old standbys (Gabriel, Monroe) good enough? Or are KYB or Tokico that much better? Price seems to be about the same.

Also, I carry about 300 pounds in my trunk. Should I consider adjustable struts or maybe looking for a stronger spring.

Can I mix struts from front to rear?

Thanks for the help.

 

why not buy a set of used OEM shocks in the classifieds? enough people have a spare set laying around that you can probably buy all 4 for $50 or less.

i don't think the 300 lbs would necessitate adj shocks or stiffer springs. might make the car nose up a little bit, but if that doesn't bother you i don't think the shocks will mind so much either.

you cannot mix shocks front to back as they are different.

 

im pretty sure you can go to like autozone or o'reillys and they have 50 dollar oem replacements, or ateast they do around here.
They may not be the best quality, but then again they also come with a life time warranty.

 

Around here Autozone etc. want almost $70 each for those Gabriel and Monroe shocks I mentioned. From Ebay I can have all four deliverd for about $170. I can have four KYB's for the same price. So back to the question, is one any better than the other?

And about mixing shocks I meant one brand on the front an another brand on the rear. Or same brand but different model.

 

the kyb gr-2 are quite possibly the defacto standard for an aftermarket oem replacement shock for japanese vehicles.

I myself like bilstein HD (or the touring for a less 'sporty' shock one's twin-tube the other is mono and i forget which), or Koni special 'red' for oem replacement shocks.