V70 Rear Shocks - Bilstein Touring vs KYB Gas-A-Just

a3inverter · Post by **a3inverter** » 17 Jul 2018, 10:55

All,

Looking ahead to replacing my rear shocks before the snow flies here in New England and wondering if the collective brain had any opinions on Bilstein Tourings vs KYB Gas-A-Just. Looking for a firm (but not harsh?) ride.

Any thoughts?

Archer · Post by **Archer** » 17 Jul 2018, 11:02

Just did Bilstein Touring, front & rear, along with Ipd sway bars...very pleased, economical...did not feel it necessary to install the HD's.

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 17 Jul 2018, 11:51

Touring shocks are OEM. I went the Bilstein HD route and loved them. They weren't harsh.

KYB Gas-A-Just aren't adjustable. I wouldn't buy 'em for using that cutesy name.

Post by **Rattnalle** » 17 Jul 2018, 12:43

Georgeandkira wrote: ↑17 Jul 2018, 11:51 Touring shocks are OEM. I went the Bilstein HD route and loved them. They weren't harsh.

KYB Gas-A-Just aren't adjustable. I wouldn't buy 'em for using that cutesy name.

Sachs are oem. But we get a different flavour over here compared to what you seem to get. Silver labels and no "Super Touring" name. Bilsteins should be perfectly fine as well though. And KYB is a big manufacturer, they'll probably be fine as well. Anything is better than old shot shocks but cheap ones might need replacing sooner..

zanzabar · Post by **zanzabar** » 17 Jul 2018, 12:48

I also have Bilstein TC and like them a lot. Very firm, but that may be partly because of the Eibach lowering springs I paired with them. Not too harsh, but you definitely get a jolt from significant road bumps. I can only assume Bilstein HD would be harsher, and I have not had any experience with KYB Gas-a-just, just the regular KYB ones which seem a bit less stiff than Bilstein TC.

Just stay away from Gabriel (they are garbage)!

a3inverter · Post by **a3inverter** » 17 Jul 2018, 12:50

Agree. Not looking to cheap out. IIRC, the Gas-a-Justs are the mid-range of the KYB line. Agreed on Gabriel - put a set of those on my wife's VW Fox twenty years ago. That car and those shocks deserved each other

Post by **matthew1** » 17 Jul 2018, 13:53

Archer wrote: ↑17 Jul 2018, 11:02 Just did Bilstein Touring, front & rear, along with Ipd sway bars...very pleased, economical...did not feel it necessary to install the HD's.

Was this on your V70 R?

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 17 Jul 2018, 16:34

To be clear: I also installed a full set of Sachs Super Touring on a V70 and essentially felt little difference. That was notable because both front struts were completely blown. No resistance and oozing fluid.

The HD (B6) Bilsteins hit the target and I believe if you install them on the rears, as you stated, you COULDN'T POSSIBLY be harshed-out. They'll be at the tail end of a long, 3,700 pound car. Go for the yellow!

Also, the manufacturers accommodate lowering schemes with different shocks. I don't think a reasonable comparison is possible. In the case of lowering a V70 Bilstein's B8 is called for.

a3inverter · Post by **a3inverter** » 17 Jul 2018, 16:46

My V70 is low enough for my middle-aged self already

Archer · Post by **Archer** » 08 Aug 2018, 13:18

matthew1 wrote: ↑17 Jul 2018, 13:53
Archer wrote: ↑17 Jul 2018, 11:02 Just did Bilstein Touring, front & rear, along with Ipd sway bars...very pleased, economical...did not feel it necessary to install the HD's.
Was this on your V70 R?

No...on my 2002 V70 T5.