MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Discuss your 2000-2005 Bonneville SE, SLE, SSEi, Buick Le Sabre 00-05 and Buick Park Avenue 97-05. Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.
Post Reply
syclonegs2003
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 48
Joined: Tue Apr 30, 2013 1:53 pm
Year and Trim: 1998 ssei and 2002 ssei
Location: Southgate, Michigan

MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by syclonegs2003 »

What are the pro and cons of each shock for the rear on a 2003 SSEI? Which has the softest ride characteristics
User avatar
Kersh
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:56 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 Bonneville SSEi
2005 Bonneville GXP *Sold*
Location: Canton, Ohio

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by Kersh »

There are really no pro's/con's of either. Both are good.

I've been told that KYB valves their shock 10-15% stiffer than stock.

The Monroe's are closer to an OE valving.

I installed the KYB's on my '01 and have been happy with them.


Thanks,
Ken
2006 Saab 9-7x 5.3i
2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP / 4.6L Northstar *Sold*
2001 Olds Aurora 4.0 w/GXP Exhaust and High-flow cat (OSV Wannabe) *Sold*

2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi, 3.4" MPS, Intense Tune, SD headers, high-flow Cat, GXP exhaust, Modified Air Intake, 180* thermostat, GXP: 18" GXP wheels w/255/45/18 tires, CF Trim, Brakes and Strut Tower Brace. SOON TO HAVE: GXP Swaybars.

1972 Olds Cutlass Convertible / 461ci Olds / TH400 / 3.08 Posi. 13.62 @ 99.7 MPH......Got torque?


Yes, I seem to be drawn to GM's orphaned cars......
96 SSEi
Posts like a Northstar
Posts like a Northstar
Posts: 1813
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 11:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2000 Bonniville SSEi L67
Location: Ontario, Canada

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by 96 SSEi »

monroe max air is a direct fit and matches the stock setup.
poverty forces one to do unorthodox things

2000 SSEi
past rides:
1996 SSEi
1992 GTP
1987 Grand Am
bogard985
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 41
Joined: Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:33 pm
Year and Trim: 2004 GXP
2003 SE

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by bogard985 »

I personally have the Gabriel Skyjackers on my 03 SE. They came with all of the hardware you will need to splice into the existing air lines etc... and so far after about 3,000 miles are still working flawlessly and I'm extremely happy with the ride. I would however suggest using the KYB mounts as they seem to be the strongest ones.
User avatar
Kersh
SLE Member
SLE Member
Posts: 47
Joined: Wed Feb 17, 2010 12:56 pm
Year and Trim: 2001 Bonneville SSEi
2005 Bonneville GXP *Sold*
Location: Canton, Ohio

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by Kersh »

Just to clarify, the KYB's are also a direct fit and install in place of the OEM shocks, including the air-line connection.

If you buy the complete set that includes the new top mount (KYB-SR4116), they install in about 10 minutes a side (as long as the stupid spring nuts don't break when you're trying to take the old ones out..... :evil: )
2006 Saab 9-7x 5.3i
2005 Pontiac Bonneville GXP / 4.6L Northstar *Sold*
2001 Olds Aurora 4.0 w/GXP Exhaust and High-flow cat (OSV Wannabe) *Sold*

2001 Pontiac Bonneville SSEi, 3.4" MPS, Intense Tune, SD headers, high-flow Cat, GXP exhaust, Modified Air Intake, 180* thermostat, GXP: 18" GXP wheels w/255/45/18 tires, CF Trim, Brakes and Strut Tower Brace. SOON TO HAVE: GXP Swaybars.

1972 Olds Cutlass Convertible / 461ci Olds / TH400 / 3.08 Posi. 13.62 @ 99.7 MPH......Got torque?


Yes, I seem to be drawn to GM's orphaned cars......
MKMike
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1305
Joined: Thu May 01, 2014 9:37 pm
Year and Trim: 1993 SLE
1998 SE
2001 SSEI
2002 SSEI

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by MKMike »

Kersh wrote:Just to clarify, the KYB's are also a direct fit and install in place of the OEM shocks, including the air-line connection.

If you buy the complete set that includes the new top mount (KYB-SR4116), they install in about 10 minutes a side (as long as the stupid spring nuts don't break when you're trying to take the old ones out..... :evil: )
Drenching the lower bolts with Kroil, Aerokroil or PBblaster for a few days usually helps.

FWIW, I have the Monroes in a couple of cars and they're OK.
redzmonte
Posts like an L67
Posts like an L67
Posts: 1358
Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:21 am
Year and Trim: 2000 SSEI

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by redzmonte »

SR1002 are a direct bolt in, no modifications needed to install. Very easy might I mention. I am on my 2nd set of KYB's on my car (200K miles). Feel good, stiffer then originals which I like.
Shane "RedZMonte"
2004 Z16 Z06: Virgin
2000 SSEi: Kenwood DDX512, 3.25" MPS, ZZP DP, PLog, Puck Mount, NGK TR7's, DHP Tuned
1995 Monte Z34: T04e "60" turbo, 42.5# injectors, Borla Catback, OBDII swap, DHP Tuned, Much more...
User avatar
nos4blood70
Certified Bonneville Nut
Certified Bonneville Nut
Posts: 9522
Joined: Mon May 10, 2010 6:11 pm
Year and Trim: 2003 SLE
Location: Chicago, IL

Re: MA822 VS KYB SR1002 Rear Shocks

Post by nos4blood70 »

I had both, and while the KYBs are slightly stiffer, it's a good kind of stiff. The Monroes were noisy and clunky and barely lasted 50k miles.
-Car Guy Carl
"Penelope" - 2003 SLE - 250k Miles
"Sydney" - 2000 Honda S2000 - 101k miles
Image
Post Reply