[CaliOddie]

My rear struts on my 02 are gone. Was going to replace with the OE equipped KYB struts but then started reading alot of comments on YouTube on how "soft" they are and all recommended or wished they would have chosen spring loaded struts instead. Now I am unsure as to what to go with as I dont want my odyssey to sag extremely when full of passengers.

Rockauto has the kyb excel struts for $77 for the pair or a pair of FCS brand spring loaded (adjusting) struts for $65.

Any recommendations or driver experiences with either? At the moment I'm leaning toward the spring loaded struts but concerned about the stiffness or "hard" ride.

Suggestions welcome.

 

[kernel]

Take another look underneath your van. The front has McPherson struts. The rear has coil springs and separate shocks. Unless you are referring to the: "MONROE 58645 Load Adjusting; Shock & Coil Spring Assembly; Sold In Pairs-Rear". (Note that it says Shock and Coil Spring assembly, not Strut) I now see the similar FCS one that you reference. Technically those are shocks, not struts. Check again the KYB's that you reference, they probably show as "Front left/right", and the "rear" (either side) look to be just shocks.
I have no experience with these, others have installed air bags to help with loads.

 

[CaliOddie]

Take another look underneath your van. The front has McPherson struts. The rear has coil springs and separate shocks. Unless you are referring to the: "MONROE 58645 Load Adjusting; Shock & Coil Spring Assembly; Sold In Pairs-Rear". (Note that it says Shock and Coil Spring assembly, not Strut) I now see the similar FCS one that you reference. Technically those are shocks, not struts. Check again the KYB's that you reference, they probably show as "Front left/right", and the "rear" (either side) look to be just shocks.
I have no experience with these, others have installed air bags to help with loads.

These are the ones I'm looking at

 

[mwe2121]

Monroe makes a similar rear shock that many on here have had good experience with. I don't know much about FCS shocks but thats a pretty good price point. I am running KYB Excel-G rear shocks but also have rear air bags installed. The KYB's did restore handling and they seem to be holding up well.

 

[D1808400]

Looking at the pics of both FCS and Monroe on RockAuto makes me think they are the same thing....

 

[CaliOddie]

Looking at the pics of both FCS and Monroe on RockAuto makes me think they are the same thing....

Monroe aren't spring loaded only spring loaded struts are the FCS on rockauto

 

[kernel]

You'll find the Monroes are in a different section. Whereas the FCS are under "Shock / Strut", the Monroes are under "Shock / Strut & Coil Spring Assembly" at the very bottom as "Heavy Duty".

 

[davedrivesody]

concerned about the stiffness or "hard" ride

Replacing the stock shocks with coilover shocks will increase the spring rate, thus increase ride stiffness. It's a tradeoff for reduced sag under load, a common problem with these vans.

Also, installing coilover shocks won't help much if the stock springs are worn out. Compare the size of the spring on the coilover with the stock spring - it's much lighter.

I don't have rear coilovers on the Ody, but I did on a previous car. On that car, they made the rear ride higher with no load and helped a bit to reduce heavy load sag. IMHO, they improve handling more than load carrying.

I don't have air bags either on the Ody, but I think they would be a better solution. The air pressure is adjustable to suit the load.

 

[CaliOddie]

Appreciate the responses. I now see the Monroe options but they weren't one when I ordered these. Either way, I would have gone with the FCS as they look identical and sometimes it'd just branding.

I think the choice was right to go with these since they are adjustable too. I do intend on having 6-7 passengers as its my travel car and not my everyday vehicle. Also will be using a roof Thule carrier cargo box so that plus passengers would have sagged the rear too much IMO. Will see how it goes.

 

[D1808400]

I have the air bags on my 99 Ody. They work well. The main issue with them is that over a long period of time the air leaks out. So every few months they need to be re-pressurized. Yes, it's a small price to pay. But I'd rather have stronger springs.
I recall somewhere on this forum there's a post with a link to a company that makes stronger rear springs for these cars.

 

[mwe2121]

I have had AirLift air bags on my 04 for 310,000 miles and just shy of 15 years. I have had to replace 2 air bags, both on the passenger side, and both times the AirLift company replaced them for free. If you are in the market for air bags I would highly recommend them. It's my belief that the driver side bags have failed due to heat from the exhaust. I think a more substantial heat shield would probably solve the problem, but I just haven't done anything with it yet.

 

[CaliOddie]

Do you have a part number for the kit you have? Tried doing an online search and I get individual parts. Also any photos of the setup you can share would be great. I always thought of airbags as a "lowrider" type of ride hence avoided it but I can see how it helps larger vehicles since my older dually had them and was so helpful when carrying large loads.

 

[vango5]

Here is the link to the AirLift website. Just plug in the vehicle information and any compatible products will be listed.

 

[CaliOddie]

Here is the link to the AirLift website. Just plug in the vehicle information and any compatible products will be listed.

This is what the website recommends for my 02 odyssey and when going to online retailer (Amazon) shows same one but on fitment guide says "does not fit your vehicle" (see screenshot).

Also, won't this require a compressor to add/release air to the bags? If so then, this isn't a complete plug and play kit is it? Or is this all you have on yours too?

Because at $124 , it isn't that bad UNLESS you need additional more parts.

 

[D1808400]

The kit comes with a schrader valve (tire valve) that you have to mount somewhere. I put it in the gas filler door area. Yes you need an external compressor to pressurize the bags. I think the range is 5 to 35psi. The pressure in the bags will stay for a few months but eventually leaks away.
There's no need for an onboard compressor unless you will need to adjust the pressure frequently. I pressurize to about 20psi or so when I put a heavy load in the back of the van.

 

[mwe2121]

This is what the website recommends for my 02 odyssey and when going to online retailer (Amazon) shows same one but on fitment guide says "does not fit your vehicle" (see screenshot).

Also, won't this require a compressor to add/release air to the bags? If so then, this isn't a complete plug and play kit is it? Or is this all you have on yours too?

Because at $124 , it isn't that bad UNLESS you need additional more parts.

The airlift 60740 is the kit that I purchased and installed. Like others have said you don't typically use an on-board compressor but instead use an external unit. Many have mounted the fill valves near the gas cap, however I mounted mine near the hitch. Also it's important that you run a separate line to each air bag, otherwise the air can potentially move from side to side while driving around corners or shifting weight. I will take some pictures once my kid gets home with the car but if you have any other questions let me know.

 

[CaliOddie]

The airlift 60740 is the kit that I purchased and installed. Like others have said you don't typically use an on-board compressor but instead use an external unit. Many have mounted the fill valves near the gas cap, however I mounted mine near the hitch. Also it's important that you run a separate line to each air bag, otherwise the air can potentially move from side to side while driving around corners or shifting weight. I will take some pictures once my kid gets home with the car but if you have any other questions let me know.

Awesome looking forward to that

 

[jnsluft]

Here’s what you need. Firestone W237604138 Coil-Rite Kit

I don’t have them on my Ody, but have used them in the past on my ‘05 Nissan Quest. They worked great. I mounted the Schrader valves behind the rear mudflap on the bottom of the bumper cover.