88 alto struts / brakes into MB?

[jason]

Hi,
Just wondering if the struts and brakes from a 88 alto will fit in my MB?
Have one and looking to use parts to refresh mb. Will it be easier to get struts for the alto than the mb?

Cheers,

[Brayden]

It won't be any easier to get new Alto struts. Koni inserts are the only option unless you want to switch to Swift/Matiz parts or import from Japan.

Alto struts are also a bit different to MB units, so the ride height would change and you also need to swap the upper strut mounts over.

[jason]

Thanks Brayden.
Would it be worthwhile swapping brakes over? Also, what is the easiest way to do the struts? In terms of parts that is, labour is fine

Cheers,

[Brayden]

Brakes are identical, so there's no performance improvement by swapping. I don't think there is an "easier" way to replace the struts, as any option you choose requires a bit of work. To sleeve the MB struts you need to cut them down and drill out the bottom so the Koni insert can be fitted. To use Matiz/Swift struts you need to change the brake lines, and some of the mounting bolts won't line up so there's some customising required.

[Billie]

Matiz struts will require spacers on each side of the strut.

[jason]

Thanks guys,
So there is no simple bolt on/in struts.
Is it worth having them redone? Are the konis $$$$
Cheers,

[Brayden]

If your current struts are the originals then they will be knackered after 25 years of use. Renewing the struts/shocks and bushes makes a massive improvement to the handling and ride quality - it completely transforms the ute.

The Koni inserts aren't cheap ($500-600 including fitting) but they are the best solution. The best part is that the inserts can be rebuilt later on when they wear out. If you can get struts from a low km Matiz then that will work out the cheapest.

[jason]

Matiz struts wouldn't be too expensive new would they? And with the spacers, where would they go? Would I need to upgrade to matiz strut tower mounts? Sorry about all ofthequestions, just trying to get it sorted out as soon as possible.

Cheers,

[sonicman23]

I just put the matiz shocks in my car..

I had to swap over to the mighty boy strut tops and i had to use the mighty boy springs

also you should put some spacers either side of the two bottom bolts that bolt the upright to the strut as they are a tiny bit thinner

[Billie]

Mighty boy springs? There a different diameter. And tiney bit thinner? Theres a good 3mm each side, which is a hell of alot.

[sonicman23]

I tried it with the matiz springs, but they were a bigger diameter up the top (where the strut top goes on) and they didnt fit very well - they hung out the side and didn't look right.

The matiz springs started out as the same diameter as the mighty boy spring, then progressively got fatter until they were a wider diameter up the top.

I put the mighty boy spring with the matiz shock, and it fit perfectly into the bottom of the matiz strut and mighty boy strut top.

[sonicman23]

these were pedders struts that i got out of the matiz, not factory ones if it makes any difference.

[Billie]

Struts make no diff. I just used the matiz spring(better spring rate) and spring plate with mb strut top.

[Husky]

By the sounds of it they are similar to the sa strut. Do the matiz struts lower the car (25mm) like the sa struts or does it keep the ride height the same as the standard MB?

[Billie]

Same height as mb.