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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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 Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:14
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I am considering buying some K-mac strut tops, and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or feedback on them.
http://www.shockabsorbers.com.au/makes/toyota.htm
As they ajust castor and camber, they don't have a traditional slot design with marks - does this mean that adjustments have to be measured at a susp shop?
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Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:18
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 You have PM
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:25
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? Not from you I don't, unless you have 2 different toymods accounts...
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:30
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I would like to know teh verdict on this.
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Location:
Terrigal
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:31
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Can I post negative things in here or is that not allowed?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:34
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Go nuts. He wouldnt have asked otherwise, and even better if you can offer a better alternative.
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Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:40
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| Quote: |
Not from you I don't, unless you have 2 different toymods accounts...
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should be there now 
feel free quote any of my PM in this thread if you think it's useful. It is not just a bagging out of the product, it is simply my experience.
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Location:
Hobart, TAS
Registered:
October 2004
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:41
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Well in my opinion, i wouldn't buy K-Mac. I bought a supra not long ago and both K-Mac strut tops were bent.
Theres been this kind of thread not long ago, dont know the outcome though. Search and you'll find it pretty easily
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Location:
Terrigal
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:44
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Yeah just always worry about bagging companys..
Few people I know who have run them have complained about the plates always bending out of shape and swear to never use them again.
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 04:48
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Thanks all...I did do a search and saw some comments about bending; I started a new thread as I was also curious about the adjustment side of things. About to read that PM now
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Location:
Melb VIC
Registered:
December 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 05:11
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ive used them , were ok, but didnt give the adjustment they claimed it would,
Try noltec they make some good units
http://www.noltec.com.au/
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 06:15
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The noltec catalog doesn't list an xA6x celica specific part - have people here with noltec strut tops adapted a generic part?
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
March 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 13 May 2005 06:19
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there was a thread a while ago that u can get adj camber tops from an s13, drill some holes in them and they fit
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
March 2005
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 05:28
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my mates about to fit the k-mac tops in his i180sx, ill post a reply when ive heard how they go performance wise.. so far they seeme fine as they are installed but not been driven on,
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Location:
Carlingford, Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 06:34
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im running k-mac tops in my ke30 and they work very well
they have been in for 3 years with 300lb springs and they havent bent yet or come out of adjustment
i also got a wheel alinment from k-mac and they where very good, only cost $20 cause i had there product in the car and i could come in and watch and tell them all the settings i wanted...
so for me they have done the job, i know lots of people have trouble with them tho
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 06:37
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I've got one set myself, and know a few others that use them, and while I haven't had trouble with them bending, they certainly don't give a great deal of adjustment. I'd probably look to the Noltec, or similiar, ones next time myself.
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Location:
Hobart, TAS
Registered:
October 2004
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 15:29
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| negative boost wrote on Sat, 14 May 2005 17:53 |
This thread is about some noltec ones Joorsh had made up for his Ma61, should fit an RA65?
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IIRC the xA6x supra and xA6x celica strut bolts are the same pattern, but offset differently, so strut tower braces & camber plates designed for one will not fit the other. Having said that, as the noltec ones do camber AND castor, the would work somewhat, just not quite the way they were intended to (and with the adjustment marks not being in the right place)
These T3 ones look good:
http://www.technotoytuning.com/t3_site_pages/produ cts/camber_plates.html
My only reservation is the lack of any urethene, which would make for a harsh ride for a street application. Any further thoughts?
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 15:30
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s13 pillow ball camber tops fit a6 celicas after a quick go with a file...
thank soarer21 for the hot tip
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 15:31
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| Intensevil wrote on Fri, 13 May 2005 16:19 |
there was a thread a while ago that u can get adj camber tops from an s13, drill some holes in them and they fit
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I remember the thread and it's an option, but I'm not mega keen on reaming out the holes in the strut towers.
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 15:46
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in no way is it reaming out the holes. i must admit i was very skeptical but i litterally spent 5 mins per strut tower and the s13 top fit in nice 'n' snug.
i mean i really wanted to run pillow balls 'cause its only fair if u've gone to all the trouble of getting nice stiff spring bushes to only have the top flex a little and a little is a lot in suspension geometry terms
i reckon if you compare it to say a caster rod, its the difference between flogged out bushes (stock strut top), new urathane bushes(k-mac) and rose jointed items (pillow ball strut top)
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 15:53
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What brand/model strut tops are you using, how much did they cost, and where did you get them from?
(5 minutes actually sounds a bit drastic; I can do a LOT of filing in that time  )
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 16:06
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i've had them lying around for sometime now, tanabe s13 tops i'm putting them in pretty soon for the drift comp out at qr on 21st.
i wouldn't know where to get them at the moment, got them of a friend at the start of the year.
i reckon jumping on nissan silvia and having a poke around, u shouldn' have to more than $220 for som 2nd hand ones
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth, Western Australia
Registered:
December 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Sat, 14 May 2005 16:57
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| Stefan wrote on Fri, 13 May 2005 12:14 |
I am considering buying some K-mac strut tops, and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts or feedback on them.
http://www.shockabsorbers.com.au/makes/toyota.htm
As they ajust castor and camber, they don't have a traditional slot design with marks - does this mean that adjustments have to be measured at a susp shop?
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Personally, i'd go the Noltec's over the KMac's any day, for Adjustable Strut tops.
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 00:37
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I got an email back from T3, and while their excellent looking upper hats are to suit 63mm springs, they can custom mill them for 65mm. Postage is only $9us. I think these may be the go
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 00:43
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My T3 ones were for around 65mm springs. Although i think exactly they are for some Imperial sized springs. Anyway 65mm fits nice and snugly.
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 00:52
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Yes, 2.5" IIRC, which is ~63.5mm
What is your opinion of them?
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 10:52
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From the limited amount i have used them they seem quite solid. I fear though that they may be making a little bit of noise already, due to the shock shaft hole being the same size as the shock shaft, rather than sitting onto the top of the shaft they can move around. Hard to describe, ill take some pics when i take it apart again.
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 11:55
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Thanks, that'd be great. You're not using their nice upper hats though, are you? If you're not, might fix the problem if I'm reading it right.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
May 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Mon, 16 May 2005 13:36
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No, im using brand new Cusco units. I have been offered some T3 ones to try. Im not sure which i will use yet though. Especially as i cant drive it just now.
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Location:
Adelaide
Registered:
September 2003
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Tue, 17 May 2005 03:13
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| timottaway wrote on Sun, 15 May 2005 01:16 |
in no way is it reaming out the holes. i must admit i was very skeptical but i litterally spent 5 mins per strut tower and the s13 top fit in nice 'n' snug.
i mean i really wanted to run pillow balls 'cause its only fair if u've gone to all the trouble of getting nice stiff spring bushes to only have the top flex a little and a little is a lot in suspension geometry terms
i reckon if you compare it to say a caster rod, its the difference between flogged out bushes (stock strut top), new urathane bushes(k-mac) and rose jointed items (pillow ball strut top)
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Do you have a pic of them fitted ?
A mate brought down his supposed S13 strut tops and they were nowhere near fitting in the MA61. @ holes were OK, but the other was 10 - 15mm out ?
Cheers
Michael B
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Tue, 17 May 2005 04:19
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| bbaacchhyy wrote on Tue, 17 May 2005 13:13 |
Do you have a pic of them fitted ?
A mate brought down his supposed S13 strut tops and they were nowhere near fitting in the MA61. @ holes were OK, but the other was 10 - 15mm out ?
Cheers
Michael B
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I thought the bolt pattern on xA6x Supras and xA6x Celicas is different - strut braces designed for one will not fit the other, so neither will strut tops.
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Location:
USA
Registered:
May 2005
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 27 May 2005 07:54
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We make specific bolt on camber plates for all years Toyota from 68--->86. There is no need to modify or drill your strut tops.
If properly installed and all the nuts are fastened down, they should not make any undue noise. The bearings are teflon lined which makes them self lubricating and helps to reduce noise also!
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 27 May 2005 08:14
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| Gabriel Tyler wrote on Fri, 27 May 2005 17:54 |
We make specific bolt on camber plates for all years Toyota from 68--->86. There is no need to modify or drill your strut tops.
If properly installed and all the nuts are fastened down, they should not make any undue noise. The bearings are teflon lined which makes them self lubricating and helps to reduce noise also!
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Hi Gab
I actually emailed you an order for these a week ago but didn't get a reply (I'm the same Stefan who's sent and recieved a few emails to and from you about 65mm top hats) - could one of us be habing trouble with our email accounts?
Stefan
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Location:
USA
Registered:
May 2005
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Re: Opinions on Kmac strut tops?
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Fri, 27 May 2005 08:18
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Stefan,
Sometimes the e-mail servers can goof up. If for some reason you don't hear back from us, just be a bit persistent.
Off the top of my head I can't remember what strut tops you needed, just drop me an e-mail at ggtyler@yahoo.com to refresh my memory. Thanks!
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