When it comes time to replace the worn out struts on your vehicle, you have a choice between many brands and types of struts. Two popular options are FCS struts and KYB struts.
But which one is right for your vehicle? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare FCS vs KYB struts to help you decide which is the better option.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Feature | FCS Struts | KYB Struts |
| Construction | All-steel body | Mono-tube housing |
| Design Focus | OEM-match comfort | Balanced comfort and performance |
| Dampening Quality | Precise, cushy ride | Responsive with sporty capabilities |
| Durability | 100K+ mile lifespan | 150K+ mile lifespan |
| Handling | Neutral, stable | Sharp, aggressive when pushed |
| Noise | Very quiet | Minimal noise |
| Ease of Install | Direct bolt-on | Direct bolt-on |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime | Limited lifetime |
| Price | $50-$150 per strut | $50-$250 per strut |
| Best For | OE-match comfort | Performance-oriented driving |
Overview of FCS and KYB
First, let’s provide a quick overview of each brand:
- FCS Struts
FCS stands for Factory Control Systems. This company specializes in producing high-quality replacement automotive parts for Asian and European vehicles. FCS offers a full range of struts for cars, SUVs, and light trucks.
Their struts feature precision engineered parts and undergo rigorous testing to ensure durability and reliability. FCS struts aim to restore your vehicle’s original handling and ride quality.
- KYB Struts
KYB (Kayaba) is a well-known Japanese brand that manufactures shocks and struts for vehicles across the world. They produce struts for Asian, American, and European vehicles.
KYB has a wide array of strut types including OE replacement, heavy duty, and gas-a-justable struts. Their struts are engineered to restore factory-quality handling and control.
Key Differences Between FCS Struts And KYB Struts
Now that we’ve introduced both brands, let’s take a deeper look at how FCS and KYB struts compare.
- Construction and Design
The construction and design of struts impact their durability, performance, and ride quality. Let’s see how FCS and KYB struts stack up in this category:
FCS Struts
FCS struts feature an all-steel body construction. The use of steel increases durability and prevents cracking or splitting over time. Inside the strut body is a precision-fitted piston and oil valves designed to dampen shock effectively.
FCS Struts contain nitrox gauge gases to prevent aeration and foam, providing consistent performance. They also utilize rubber bushings to absorb vibration and reduce noise. Overall, the design focuses on reliability, smooth handling, and restoring a comfortable, factory-like ride.
KYB Struts
KYB employs an advanced mono-tube design in their struts.
This single-tube housing is proven to be stronger and leak-resistant compared to twin-tube designs.
KYB struts utilize full displacement valving technology to improve damping performance.
This allows their struts to respond quickly to road impacts for enhanced handling and control.
KYB uses high-quality seals and piston bands to prevent leaks and friction. Some KYB struts also have a triple lip seal for added protection against dirt and moisture.
Like FCS, KYB uses hardened steel components but also incorporates zinc plating to resist corrosion.
In terms of design, both FCS and KYB struts employ sturdy metal housings and advanced technologies to provide effective damping, minimal noise, and long-lasting performance. KYB’s mono-tube design gives them a slight edge for strength and leak resistance.
- Ride Comfort
A major function of struts is absorbing impacts from the road surface to provide a smooth, comfortable ride. Here is how FCS and KYB struts perform for ride comfort:
FCS Struts
The ride comfort you’ll get from FCS struts can be described as soft and cushioned but still responsive. Their precise damping helps absorb small road irregularities like cracks and potholes. But FCS struts are firm enough to prevent excessive body roll around corners.
Owners report FCS struts provide a comfortable ride similar to the factory struts but with enhanced handling. The all-steel body prevents strut cavitation which can degrade ride quality over time. Overall, FCS struts aim to replicate a luxury vehicle’s gentle ride.
KYB Struts
KYB struts provide a balance of comfort and control. Their mono-tube design with full displacement valving allows them to react quickly to bumps and dips. This enables excellent absorption of harsh impacts while maintaining stability during cornering and braking.
KYB struts have a reputation for minimal noise and vibration on rough roads. While they offer a smoother ride than low-cost brands, the ride may be slightly firmer than OEM for certain vehicle applications.
Still, most owners praise KYB struts for improving their vehicle’s ride quality.
Both brands aim to restore a comfortable factory ride quality. FCS struts likely offer a bit more cushioning while KYB excels at balanced comfort and handling.
- Durability and Longevity
You want your new struts to last. Let’s examine the durability and longevity you can expect from FCS and KYB struts:
FCS Struts
The all-steel body of FCS struts resists dents, cracking, and splitting far better than aluminum housings.
Proper tight tolerances between components prevent premature wear.
FCS struts undergo rigorous load testing to ensure they withstand years of use.
Owners report getting over 100,000 miles out of their FCS struts with proper maintenance and alignment.
Overall, FCS struts provide long service life comparable to OEM struts.
KYB Struts
KYB is renowned for making incredibly durable struts. Their mono-tube design handles demanding driving conditions and large loads with ease. KYB uses top-grade metals, piston bands, seals, and surface treatments to maximize longevity.
Premium gas pressure prevents performance-robbing aeration and foam. Owners praise the longevity of KYB struts, with many achieving over 150,000 miles of use. KYB offers limited lifetime warranties on some strut models which speaks to their confidence in durability.
Both FCS and KYB struts are made to last. KYB’s advanced mono-tube design and premium components give them a slight edge in terms of achieving extremely long life. But FCS struts also match OEM life spans.
- Performance and Handling
A quality set of struts greatly impacts your vehicle’s handling performance. Let’s look at how FCS and KYB struts compare for enhancing handling:
FCS Struts
FCS struts live up to their goal of restoring precise OEM handling. Their strong steel structure prevents flex which enables sharper turn-in and steering response. At the same time, their dampening smoothly absorbs small bumps and dips that can upset handling.
Owners report dramatic improvements in handling response and cornering agility with FCS struts. There is minimal body roll, enhanced high-speed stability, and better traction during acceleration and braking. Overall, FCS struts dramatically sharpen handling while retaining everyday ride comfort.
KYB Struts
KYB struts utilize their excellent responsiveness to provide a balance of handling and ride comfort. Fast-reacting mono-tube dampening minimizes body roll and nosedive under hard braking. KYB struts enhance grip during cornering for flatter, more responsive turns.
At the same time, their smooth dampening maintains composure over bumps that could unsettle the chassis. Drivers report KYB struts make their vehicle handle like new. Upgrading to KYB Excel-G struts further improves handling performance for spirited driving.
Both FCS and KYB strutsUpgrade both deliver precise, responsive handling similar to factory quality. KYB may have a slight advantage for drivers wanting to optimize handling and cornering agility.
But most drivers will be thrilled with the handling either brand provides over worn OEM struts.
- Noise Levels
Excess strut noise from creaking or knocking can be annoying in the cabin. Here’s how quiet FCS and KYB struts operate:
FCS Struts
Owners praise how quiet FCS struts are in operation. Their tight tolerances between components prevent excess movement that causes noise. The steel housing also doesn’t transfer noise into the cabin like aluminum.
Rubber bushings further dampen vibrations from the suspension before they reach the chassis. You’re unlikely to hear any notable noise from FCS struts under most driving conditions.
KYB Struts
The advanced mono-tube housing of KYB struts is inherently quieter than twin-tube designs.
There are also fewer moving parts to generate noise.
Some KYB struts utilize noise-reducing composite mountings to minimize vibrations entering the body.
Drivers report minimal noise from KYB struts during daily driving.
Any occasional sounds from large impacts are subdued and considered normal.
Both FCS and KYB struts earn top marks for quiet operation. Unless you drive exclusively on rough terrain, noise should be barely perceptible in the cabin with either brand installed.
- Ease of Installation
Let’s quickly examine the installation process for FCS and KYB struts:
FCS Struts
FCS struts are designed to mirror OEM units for straightforward installation as direct replacements. All necessary mounting hardware and instructions are included. No modification to the vehicle is required.
Owners report FCS struts can be installed by experienced DIYers in 2-3 hours. FCS also has installation videos available online for reference.
KYB Struts
Like FCS, KYB struts are engineered as direct OEM replacements for easy installation. Their mounting points, bolt holes, and included hardware match the factory struts. KYB provides detailed instructions with photos to guide installers.
No special tools are required. Owners say KYB struts can be swapped in within a few hours in their driveway or garage.
Overall, FCS and KYB struts both provide simple bolt-on installation as they are designed to replace worn factory struts. The process can be completed by knowledgeable DIYers in an afternoon.
- Warranty Coverage
The warranty coverage provides peace of mind that the struts are backed against early defects or failure:
FCS Struts
FCS provides a limited lifetime warranty on their struts to the original purchaser. This covers defects in materials and workmanship.
However, strut wear and damage from potholes or accidents is not covered. The warranty is transferable if the owner sells the vehicle before the struts fail. Overall, the FCS strut warranty provides assurance of their quality.
KYB Struts
KYB offers limited lifetime warranties on many of their strut assemblies provided to the original owner. Excel-G performance struts have a 1-year warranty. Defects in materials and workmanship are covered but not normal wear and tear.
The warranties are non-transferrable to a new owner if the vehicle is sold. KYB’s warranties back up their reputation for reliability.
Both FCS and KYB provide lifetime limited warranties on most models. KYB has the advantage of longer 1-year coverage on some performance struts but FCS warranties can transfer owners. The warranties help give confidence in either brand.
- Cost Considerations
Let’s quickly examine the cost differences between FCS and KYB struts:
FCS Struts
FCS struts are priced competitively, Usually ranging from $50-$150 per strut. More specialized applications or strut/coilover combos run higher. Their pricing targets the mid-range market above entry level brands but below premium offerings.
Given their quality and performance, FCS struts provide excellent value for money.
KYB Struts
KYB struts range from around $50 for basic OE replacement units up to $250 or more for their high-performance Excel-G series. Standard KYB struts are competitively priced against brands like Monroe and Gabriel.
Step up to their OE replacement Excel-G or AGX lines for advanced technology and performance optimized for spirited driving. Overall KYB offers excellent bang-for-buck given their reputation and quality.
Both FCS and KYB struts are reasonably priced versus competitors. KYB spans a wider range from entry-level to premium high-performance struts. Make sure to choose the level of performance needed for your driving style and budget.
- Customer Reviews
Owners provide helpful real-world feedback on these two brands. Here’s what they’re saying:
FCS Struts
Reviews of FCS struts are overwhelmingly positive. Owners say FCS struts are extremely durable and maintain a comfortable ride for over 100k miles. Drivers praise the improved handling with no floaty feeling.
Installation is repeatedly noted as quick and easy. Any issues with premature failure are quickly handled by FCS warranties. Overall, FCS earns exceptional reviews for affordably restoring OEM-quality ride and handling.
KYB Struts
KYB struts also receive outstanding reviews. Owners rave their vehicles handle like new again after installing KYB struts. The smooth, quiet ride is highly praised even on trucks used for work and hauling. The quick bolted installation gets noted repeatedly. Reviews indicate KYB struts often outlast OEM ones.
Any premature issues are remedied quickly by KYB’s warranty program. Overall, KYB is hailed as producing some of the best and most durable replacement struts available.
Both brands earn glowing reviews and extremely satisfied owners. This reinforces that either FCS or KYB struts will restore comfort, handling, and control compared to failing OEM units.
Also Read: Comparison of FCS And Monroe Struts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes, FCS makes high-quality replacement struts. They feature precision-engineered dampening components in durable all-steel housings. Owners consistently praise FCS struts for restoring a comfortable OEM-like ride and sharp handling with quiet operation. The brand specializes in replacement Asian and European parts.
FCS or Factory Control Systems is the manufacturer of FCS-brand struts. They are an independent aftermarket company that specializes in replacement Asian and European parts. FCS has over 15 years of experience designing and engineering struts. Their struts are made in ISO-certified factories.
Yes, KYB is considered one of the best manufacturers of replacement struts. Their struts feature advanced mono-tube damper housing designs and premium components. KYB has decades of OE engineering experience that translates to their aftermarket struts. Drivers praise the comfort, durability, and performance of KYB struts.
Gas-charged struts are generally the best type of replacement struts today. They provide excellent handling and ride control. Both FCS and KYB struts use high quality gas-charging (FCS nitrox, KYB nitrogen). KYB Excel-G struts take performance up another notch for spirited driving. For ultimate adjustability, coilover strut kits allow you to fine tune dampening and ride height.
Closing Remarks
In summary, both FCS and KYB manufacture high-quality replacement struts for restoring factory-like handling, comfort, and longevity to worn-out vehicles. FCS struts offer precise OEM-style dampening in an durable all-steel package at a reasonable price.
KYB leverages decades of engineering expertise for innovative mono-tube struts that excel in responsiveness and longevity. Drivers report great success improving ride quality with either brand.
When selecting FCS vs KYB struts, consider your budget, desired ride firmness, and any specialized performance needs. With proper installation, you can count on FCS or KYB struts to provide many miles of comfortable, safe driving.
