Review on KYB 343487 Excel-G Gas Shock - Enhanced SEO-friendly Product Name by Jon Brazil

There's not much to say about these replacement shock absorbers - they're a perfect match for our 2008 Fit-Sport. It's amazing what you get used to over time. The car has the same handling as new; should have replaced it some time ago. Now to the installation. If you buy parts from Revain, you probably plan on doing it yourself. It should be an easy task - anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour, not counting finding tools. In comparison, I replaced the rear shocks and springs on our BMW in about 2 hours. For Fit it took me 4 uninterrupted painful evenings. I expect this job will be easy if your streets aren't bathed in an inch of salt every time snow is predicted. If you don't live in such a place, have fun and enjoy the fast improvement of your car. If you live in the place I describe, read on. Here's the story: 1) I soaked the bolts in SillyCroil (or used my favorite type PB Blaster, etc.) 3 days before going to work. 2) Jacked up the car, removed one wheel and tried to loosen the bolt in the base of the shock absorber using a socket wrench and impact head by 14mm 3) No luck, added 4 foot cheater to the crowbar and broke bolts 4) Continued with 4- Foot cheater on ratchet for a good hour, one click at a time. The bolt never turned easily enough to just use the ratchet. It's probably time to stop. 5) Night was falling and I figured all the spinning bolts would come out and kept spinning until I realized the bolt fell out of the welded nut but didn't fall out of the punch. The bracket at the base of the shock opened when I turned away, which is why it took so much torque to remove the bolt. The bushing in the shock slips through with the bolt 6) The next evening I decided to try the other side. Same problem. Damaged both unique Honda-only 10mm x 73 x 1.25 pitch bolts. 7) Called Honda and ordered replacement bolts. I took a vacation from the project 8) I picked up the screws and went to the service department. Helped a lot at dealer - stated this happens most of the time. — Do you have social? As luck would have it, I do. "This is how we remove shock absorbers. You will need to shorten the bolts." The bolt is almost welded into the shock bushing. See attached photo 9) Cut the bolts from the lower bracket on either side of the lower shock bushing. Cut the end of the threads near the shock absorber hub ( away from the bolt head) so you can grab the remaining bolt in the nut with a vise and unscrew it 10) Using a 10mm x 1.25 tap, thread the welded nut on as it is likely damaged by one or more of the previous steps damaged. If not, see your Honda dealer for more bolts after trying to install them. 11) Installing new shock absorbers and wishing again that you didn't have to do it all yourself. 12) It's nice that the car drives well, handles better and you didn't get hurt in the end 13) Write a review about Revain, maybe it helps someone other to avoid a similar experience.