KYB front dampers

[APS]

Hi guys I am wanting KYB front dampers to fit into the struts. Chris Witor mentions these are not for DIY fitting on his website.
Does anyone know the reason for this ?

Are they particularly difficult ?

Tia Alan

[Philip Wardle]

Hello Alan, if you're looking at product ID CW1280, could it be because Chris says "we re-machine the KYB base cup 2.5 mm x 118 degrees. This allows a fuller engagement of the nut in the thread at the top of the typical lower strut leg tube, thus reducing the likelihood of thread stripping" ?

[APS]

hi Philip, well CW supplies the damper with the bottom of it already reprofiled for better fitting. so not sure why he says after that not for DIY .

[Philip Wardle]

Not obvious then Alan - maybe he's just covering health & safety re compressing the spring.

[APS]

Thanks Philip, I sent a message to CW and just got his reply.
It is to do with removing the old dampers that need a special tool.

Well I have already have done this and my struts are now stripped. I have literally just dropped them off along with the drag struts and the front subframe for powder coating.

I am going to try rebuilding the struts myself. I will take an angle grinder if necessary to reprofile the bottom of new dampers if they do not fit low enough to get a full thread in there.

[Philip Wardle]

Great, happy days

[stagwingnut]

I fitted them myself with no issues, not profiled ones either, they have a spannered nut on top to tighten them down, albeit rather thin steel nut , but I could work with them. Regards Graham

[APS]

Thanks Graham, it certainly sounds doable. I had some tips from CW too.

I found various prices for the KYB dampers. Usual stag suppliers are quite dear. New pair from supplier on ebay £151. No vat and next day delivery with no postage.

[flying farmer]

I fitted a pair to my MK 2 a month or so ago. I found it necessary to grind a few mm off the bottom to increase the engagement of the retaining nut, a very simple job to do

Neil