New KYB Shocks

2005 Base coupe / Manual / 95,000 miles

Through a dealer friend, I was given the opportunity to get new KYB shocks on my XFire. They needed an Xfire to try them on as this would be a new product for KYB in the U.S. & Canada. Even at 95,000 miles, I thought my shocks seemed OK, but I also knew replacing them would likely be a good idea.

I met Tim from KYB at the dealer. The first thing we did was take the car for a ride. It was raining, cold and a bit slick, but, as best as I could, I did some quick lane changes, hard corner, hard braking, hard acceleration, and tried to drive on some different road surfaces, to get a feel for how the current shocks performed. To their credit, he said the OEM shocks were obviously worn, but performed well for their mileage.

Back at the dealer, Larry Roesch Chrysler, the tech replaced all four OEM shocks with the new KYB's. A couple of notes here:

- If you're a DIY guy, you have to tear into the rear exterior a bit to get to the top, rear shock bolts.

- The KYB shocks were longer than the OEM when uncompressed. That's how they're supposed to be. They fit perfectly. It doesn't change the ride height or anything. Maybe it will help keep me on the ground a bit more rather than getting airborne!

With the new shocks installed, we went for the same ride and put the car through the same maneuvers. Wow!! I honestly didn't expect there to be so much difference in so many ways! Overall, the XFire felt more solid, more confident. Although there was obvious improvement in handling the bumps and roads, the most notable improvements were in launching, braking and cornering.

With the OEM shocks, on hard launches, I'd almost always get the traction control light flashing a bit. I attributed that to the fact that my tires are about due to be replaced. With the new KYB shocks, the car launches better and I rarely see the TC light anymore.

I remember the first time I drove an XFire, thinking it handled like a slot car. In the corners and on/off ramps, my car definitely has that feeling again. It was there with the OEM shocks, but, I guess I hadn't notice how it had degraded over time.

The same is true with braking. With the OEM shocks, braking hard kicked in the antilock on the wet surface. With the KYB's in place, I jammed on the brakes and came to a quick, flat stop with no ABS kicking in.

Overall, I am highly impressed with the KYB shocks.


*** BIG NOTE ***
These shocks are not yet available in the U.S. and Canada. Testing them on my car was part of their process in determining if they would add them to their product line. As everything was positive, they WILL be available here, in about THREE MONTHS (which would be around April/May). They are sold through normal auto parts distribution channels, so you'll be able to get them at any auto parts store which carries KYB shocks (Pep Boys, AutoZone, NAPA, etc.).

I'll post a follow up when I hear they are available, and I'll also give my long term review then.

 

Great to hear

 

How much will these be going for?

 

Don't know. KYB doesn't sell direct. When I find out an MSRP though, I'll let you know.

 

Are these the KG 4731 for the front and KG 4732 for the rear?

 

Bill F
Those are the part numbers for the Mercedes Benz SLK shocks manufactured by KYB, so the logic is they will fit the Crossfire since it was built on a similar platform. The pricing is between $200-$250 including shipping.
Dennis
DTMenace

 

Yes if ordered on line it is $224.50 plus $21.25 shipping. There is a rebate of $20.00.

 

I find that price at Just Suspension | Home
for $9.95 more you can get a no questions asked warranty that will pay for return if they don't fit.

 

How are these compared to the Konis?

 

I've read that the quality of ride is better with KYB shocks than Koni.

 

The XFire part numbers are...

553363 - Front

553364 - Rear

They already sell these in Europe. I found them online (link below), for 56.75 euros (about $77). Not sure what they'll sell for here.

http://www.teiledirekt.de/product_in...cts_id/1003020

 

I am a fan of KYBs. I put them on my 1966 Chrysler Newport...19 feet of detroit iron, and they took nearly all the float out, and the thing cornered flat and stable at speed.
Very impressive. I had KYBs on my Bronco as well, also with impressive results. They make a good product.

 

I've had the KGs on my Limited since 2009. Simply great shocks. Strange that neither the old nor new p/ns appear on the KYB site. Yet both are sold by online retailers.

KYB Gas-A-Just Shock Absorber for 2004 MERCEDES-BENZ SLK320 | AJUSA.com

2007 CHRYSLER CROSSFIRE 3.2L V6 Suspension : Shock Absorber Auto Parts

 

To save time and money, will these fit our Crossfires?
These shocks are for the SLK from 1998 to 2004.

KYB Factory Outlet - KYBoutlet.com

Gas-a-Just Shock Absorber KG4731
$59.75
Add to Cart Warehouse Item - Ships in 1-4 days.
Fitment Notes:
Fits Front, 2 required per vehicle.


Gas-a-Just Shock Absorber KG4732
$52.50
Add to Cart Warehouse Item - Ships in 1-4 days.
Fitment Notes:
Fits Rear, 2 required per vehicle.

 

Yup, those are the exact same ones that I've had on my Limited for the last 3 yrs. Incredible ride w/ 235/40-18 Front, 275/35-19 Rear General G-MAXs.

 

That's great so we can get them now and pay for the install.

 

That's affirmative sir. The ones you show from the KYBoutlet.com will work just fine.

What I would really like to know is if the new KYB 553363 & 553364, which are being sold as Crossfire specific, are revalved differently from the KG4731 & KG4732. Possibly to compensate for the XF's heavier body and larger tires. Or are they just remarked SLK320 shocks. Can't find any info/dimensions on either model set.

 

2004 Crossfire Crossfire
Curb weight 3060 lbs.
Tire Size
(F) 225/40/18
(R) 255/35/19

2004 SLK 320
Curb weight 3100 lbs.
Tires Size
(F) 205/55/16
(R) 225/50/16

 

so should i order the ones from eurpoe or just buy the slk ones?

 

Seeing that the weight is not the issue, I'd say the SLK shocks are gonna work the same as the Newer style. Considering that the price at RockAuto for the newer ones is almost twice the price of the SLKs, I'd stick with the KG4731 & KG4732. Plus, RockAuto wants to charge over $40 EA to ship from United Kingdom (Great Britain)! The ones from AJUSA.com, where I bought mine, include free shipping! Like I said, mine have been on for around 4 yrs now and I'm very happy with the ride. Also remember that these are on my Limited. These might work differently on the SRT with the stiffer spring rates.

Another thing that has got me perplexed is that RockAuto is showing a different p/n for the newer KYB Europe shock on the SLK320. And at a much higher price I might add....553245 rear @ $126.79 EA and 553237 front @ $152.79 EA. --- BUZINGA !!!