Front dampers KYB or Boge?

[Gresley]

I'll be replacing my front dampers very soon with either KYB or Boge. Anyone got any thoughts on which is best?

Thanks

Brian

[mike@thenook]

I'd go/went for Spax which are excellent.....

Mike

[ChasR]

Possibly comparable (the cars are meant to be related) but make of it what you will . After all, the engines are meant to be a similar weight as the suspension setup is near enough the same allegedly....

After driving a friend's Triumph Mk1 2.5PI Saloon on Chris Witor springs and his KYB dampers (IIRC they are stock KYBs), I was very impressed. Zero wallowing, and a very taut car indeed, but even on poor roads it was very composed. It was very close to being a modern car in terms of its ride and handling IMO. Bear in mind the car was also on 15" Minilites. It's a shame he doesn't wish to sell the car...

When I come to change the dampers in my Stag the KYBs will certainly be in the shortlist .

[Rubce]

Brian

I fitted the KYB's to our Stag. Can't comment on the Boge ones for a Stag but we do use them at work for fitting to trains if that is of any help.

Bruce

[martin]

Just out of curiosity Brian, why not standard ones ? Mine are the originals at 78.000, no leaking or bouncing, they can't be that bad - or can they ? Genuinely interested, no point to make. Martin.

[Gresley]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I had read that KYB on the front could give a hard ride ( I certainly don't want that and just wondered if anyone had experienced it) and Paddocks also sell Boge, hence the question. Sounds like KYB could be the ones to go for which would make sense as I have KYB on the rear...

I replaced the originals 3 1/2 years ago with standard replacements and 40,000 miles later the car has suddenly become very wallowy and bouncy at the front, so I was hoping that gas dampers might last a bit longer! The car handles superbly on the standard type, it is just the lifespan which bothers me.

Brian.

[martin]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I had read that KYB on the front could give a hard ride ( I certainly don't want that and just wondered if anyone had experienced it) and Paddocks also sell Boge, hence the question. Sounds like KYB could be the ones to go for which would make sense as I have KYB on the rear...

I replaced the originals 3 1/2 years ago with standard replacements and 40,000 miles later the car has suddenly become very wallowy and bouncy at the front, so I was hoping that gas dampers might last a bit longer! The car handles superbly on the standard type, it is just the lifespan which bothers me.

Brian.

Thanks for that Brian, looks like I've got something to look forward to. Bloody shame that the quality of so many parts has gone down the pan. Martin.

[Rubce]

Brian

Are you replacing the front springs at the same time?

Bruce

[ChasR]

Thanks for the replies chaps. I had read that KYB on the front could give a hard ride ( I certainly don't want that and just wondered if anyone had experienced it) and Paddocks also sell Boge, hence the question. Sounds like KYB could be the ones to go for which would make sense as I have KYB on the rear...

I replaced the originals 3 1/2 years ago with standard replacements and 40,000 miles later the car has suddenly become very wallowy and bouncy at the front, so I was hoping that gas dampers might last a bit longer! The car handles superbly on the standard type, it is just the lifespan which bothers me.

Brian.

I have found the same with my modern(s)

With the exception of stuff from the stealers (Sorry, dealers) almost all of the stuff from motor factors (dampers seem to be the worst, although bushes are not too behind) does not seem to last as long as the factory stuff despite of the promise of it being OEM quality. I have noticed springs and dampers lose their performance after a similar mileage to you (but still passable from an MOT perspective). That included Bilstein B4s (the genuine dampers I put onto my modern did over twice the mileage of the Bilsteins and still seemed to last ).

[Gresley]

Why does nothing last these days?!

Bruce - no, I am sticking with the original springs as they are still good and hopefully will last for a while yet...