>I always seem to be swimming upstream with this observation, but here goes:
>
>After around 150,000 miles, I removed my KYBs from my Westy to install new
>ones.  Front end guy asked "Why, these look as good as new?", but I did
>notice a difference in ride.  I then put the used KYBs on my GL, where they
>are still doing their job with another 40 or 50,000 miles on them.
>
>I had Bilsteins on the Westy (before the KYBs) and they fell apart.  One
>lasted only about 20K and the other around 30K.  In both cases the mounting
>brackets broke.  My mechanic told me that that is very common with
>Bilsteins, and that the shock is too stiff for it's own good.

Bilsteins on my mother's 75 Scirocco were brilliant. But I keep hearing
thet they break on Vanagons.

I have never heard of Konis breaking, and they can also be set very stiff.

Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
ph   64 (3) 473-8863
fax 64 (3) 479-7527
84 VW Caravelle GL (to be fitted with SVX engine & Porsche G50 trans) RWD
87 Corolla 1.8 DX CE80 diesel sedan FWD
89 Corolla 1.8 DX CE96 diesel van/wagon FWD
89 Corona 2.0 D Select CT170 diesel sedan FWD
92 Toyota Estima Lucida (=Previa) 2.2 turbodiesel RWD