KYB Excel-G vs A 200K Genuine OEM Honda Gas Shock Absorber | Why You Should Replace Every 75K Miles

This video is actually a part of a series of longer videos on How To Remove, Replace & Install rear gas shock absorber on a 2006-2011 8th generation Honda Civic (see the links below).

This is just to demonstrate the comparison between a brand new aftermarket shock vs an original genuine OEM part but already has over 200,000 miles on it. This is why car manufacturers recommend replacing shock absorber & front suspension (strut, spring, coil or assembly every 75,000 miles).

Honda recommends using genuine OEM parts, but we decided to go with KYB Excel-G premium aftermarket performance shock, based on the reviews we've read online. Genuine Honda Shock should be around $125 or so each, but KYB Excel-G (not the regular KYB) could be as cheap as $35 a piece depending on where you buy it from, for example amazon, ebay, or other online seller. Obviously, your local auto part stores such as AutoZone, Advanced Auto Parts, O'Reilly, Pep Boys etc also carry many different aftermarket products.

KYB Excel-G shocks do more than bring back the OEM quality ride. Since they're crafted with the highest standards around, each Excel-G shock meets or exceeds OEM build quality. Even better, KYB backs your Excel-G Shocks & Struts with a Lifetime Warranty.

Genuine OEM Honda Part #: 52610 SNA 02
For Genuine Honda Shock Mount Flange Bolt (12x65) 90181-SNA-000 search on eBay or buy directly from dealership.

A vehicle will have either a shock or a strut at each wheel, never both. ... The major difference between shocks and struts is that a strut is a structural part of the vehicles suspension system where a shock is not. A strut is also crucial part of the vehicles steering system and greatly affects alignment angles. Most cars made after 1995 have shock absorbers in the rear and strut assemblies in the front suspension.

What are shocks? Shock absorbers, are a key component of the suspension system. They control the impact and rebound movement of your vehicle’s springs and suspension, they ensure that the vehicle’s tires remain in contact with the road surface at all times.

The key components of the shock absorber are a piston, a coil, and hydraulic fluid. When the car wheel dips down, for example into a pothole or crevice, the shock initiates a compression cycle, and a piston exerts pressure on hydraulic fluid in the upper chamber of the device. The fluid serves to slow down the coil as it relaxes back into place, and this helps prevent an excessively bumpy feel to the ride.

What are struts? Struts are the structural part of the suspension system and they are used on the front end of nearly every front-wheel –drive vehicle. A strut integrates numerous different suspension parts into one compact assembly. The latter include:

The Coil Spring
The Spring Seats
The Shock Absorbers
The Strut Bearing
The Steering Knuckle
The shock absorber portion of the strut is the most commonly serviced part of the strut assembly.

When to replace them?

Visual signs such as :
Noticeable fluid leak
Shocks and/or struts look dented or damaged
Tires show unusual wear patterns
Vehicle handling:
If you experience a bumpy or shaky ride, have poor steering response, stiffness or noise when steering or instability when braking.

Mileage:
At 50k miles, they may be worn to the point of needing replacing (depending on vehicle and driving conditions).
In addition, worn shocks and/or struts can accelerate the wear of your tires and suspension parts … the ball joints, steering linkage, springs and C.V. joints.

Thanks for watching, please check our other DIY auto repair tutorial & guide videos on EyeOnAiman's channel. Obviously, Aiman's auto repair videos are mostly designed for entertainment purposes. If you're looking for instructions or steps on how to fix or diagnose problems with your car, SUV, minivan or vehicle repair, you should always watch more than just 1 videos. The videos should always be used only as a guide.

Recording Date: September 7, 2019

[ronstoppable]

You haven't tested yet and you are recommending. Not a good way to review

[jgscs]

KYB are disigned to survive more than 5 Year in America, good Shocks'!!!

[Marcony-RD]

Dude. OEM shock is oil filled. It's not supposed to extend out on it's own. The spring does that. OEM one and exel-g don't work on the same principal

[walleyehunter]

I would say the front Struts are more important than the back due to the fact your front does all the controlling .. I Bought cheap Struts twice they only last about 6 months .. I'm also going with KYB now

[DEVENLOGIC]

You not supposed to compress the shock upside down.

[rowenramnath]

This video was 5 years ago. I wonder who took out the old ones. And going to replace the new one's??

[MuhammadIqbal-wxzv]

Hi Aiman
I was so motivated and excited to do this job after watching your video.
I ordered correct parts and did my all home work.
But unfortunately my project got failed because of too much rusty bolt of rear shock absorber.
It's not disappointment?

[Lifesituations]

It is a good idea to replace the springs and all the parts beside just the structs?

[mytruthslays]

If you are going to get kyb's, DO NOT get the complete kit. The top mounts for the strut assemblies are poorly done and do not properly align with the mount and will cause clunking an alignment issues. The springs are fine, the mounts are garbage.

[giorgoskaramolegkos]

For cornering, which is better in cornering, bilstein b4 black or kyb excel g????



[Armandorubio]

Where can I buy them? Could you please share the link ?

[barsonfamily]

I bought a new kyb shock absorber, why is it that it does not bounce back when i pressed it?

[jakester]

Excel g is closer to oem replacement, agx are the more performance oriented ones

[djfato]

Just bought the kyb excel for my 2012 civic

[shadowthesi]

I’ve got 155k on my OEM Honda shocks and they ride great, I put KYB EXCEL G on my other car and they ride like ass. Very meh ride, make tons of clunks and thumps over bumps. I would not trust $70 shocks and struts on my Honda since it’s my daily. The only reason I got KYB on my other car was because it was the only choice available since it’s an older car, and I don’t drive it that often so I don’t care as much. If I put these on my Honda and it rode like my other car does, they would be coming off immediately and would be replaced with OEM or Bilstein.

[alexandersilvar]

Very useful video, thanks. Can you tell me which brand did you use in the front, and how they have been work? please

[K_N_]

If they say that original is kyb but softer while excel g is stiffer and harder which one to choose?
Original is cheaper than Excel g in my case

[karl]

I fitted kyb to my bmw they failed mot after 18months supposed to be 2yr warranty they just mugged me offsaid I put wrong ones on phoned to buy new again they gave me same part numbers .No way would I recommend them;(( I did 4K miles only

[CRAPO]

Honda Showa shocks can last more than 75k depending on how the roads are where you drive.

[chintetliptimothybede]

It's called Kayaba and you cannot compare a spoiled with a new unit. Please compare apple to apple.