My wife’s daily driver got the complete KYB assemblies with new springs only because the shop I was using didn’t want to mess with compressing the springs. Some mechanics considered a pain, and it can be dangerous for the inexperienced.

I find the KYB Springs firmer than the originals, which, in hindsight, I would have found a way to keep. But we’re not unhappy.

I would definitely recommend against buying the KYB assemblies with the intent to take them apart. You should compare the extra cost of the assemblies against the savings and labor.

 

Many mechanics think that you still need to use the old fashioned wall mounted spring compressor, which is dangerous on the old fashioned cartridge struts. Modern struts are very easy to do with a set of $10 compressors.
The last time I priced out the parts needed complete strut assemblies were cheaper.

 

I decided to just buy the individual parts, got KYB strut L & R, KYB strut mount and bearing, KYB Bellows. They should come in the coming days.

Price:
The price ended up being about $100 cheaper than just getting a new assembly. 2 New strut assembly roughly $350 with shipping and taxed as opposed to rebuilding the struts for $236 with shipping and taxes, everything is being replaced except the spring. This price is for the parts only, since we have a spring compressor already that we plan to use.

Plans:
I bought everything from Rock Auto, while there I also bought sway bar end link which was worn, ac delco iridium spark plugs and coil boots.
I will be working on the car when the rain finally settles here and then this car should be good. Depending on ride quality I might end up replacing the rear struts as well
Up next in the future will definitely change the motor mounts since they are 15 years old. We've had the car in the family since 2010 at 0 miles.
Afterwards just maintenance. Car presented many problems all throughout 2025 that were overlooked because of personal problems, however now that I have time I'm addressing them all.

Changed thus far:
-Thermostat Change
-New air intake hose
-VVT valves intake and exhaust
-Lower Control arm (twice because I used the stamped steel ones for the cobalt then fixed my mistake with aluminum ones from Performance)
-Replaced emergency button housing
-Changed aftermarket Radios
-Installed 4 new speakers
-got an alignment
-replaced 3 tires (worn)
-replaced the climate control broken vent
-fixed the dimmer switch
-replaced broken brake light

Problems:
We do have a new problem with the serpentine belt getting worn extremely quickly like a month or two and starts breaking or squeaking, They were bought from Auto zone so I think it's a combo of misaligned pulley and bad serpentine belt.

 

Replace both the belt and pulley at the same time,

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...ensioner,11659


The rear axle only needs shocks there are no struts back there.

 

Will look into the shocks depending on the ride quality after I rebuild the front struts.

I'm currently looking at this combo for pulley and serpentine belt. Do you have any belt recommendation that has served you well?

 

That AC Delco set is fine.