OK, I have my 2002 and I put new struts on the front, Moog replacements for stock and it raised my ride height to where I have about a 4 inch gap in the wheel well. It looks terrible, like a truck or SUV. Not close to stock at all. Anyone else have this problem? This isn't an issue of let the spring settle, this is significant.


Which strut would give me the factory tire clearance?

 

Not sure you aren't at the factory clearance, I put Monroe's on and have a pretty wicked gap too. The new springs are the reason, I believe. I have 18's so it's something I can live with. You may want to go the lowering route....

 

Part number for your replacement?

Have you driven the car at all, just in case it did need to settle?

 

OK, so I did some digging. The stock AC Delco strut part # 903012RS is 20 inches relaxed length. The Moog ST8547 is 22.50 inched relaxed length. Quite a difference and that's what is giving me such a huge wheel well gap. I see the KYB strut part # SR4002, but I can't find the relaxed length dimension for it. I was wondering why when I installed the Moog that I had such a hard time getting the bolt holes to line up with the knuckle. I can see some spring settling but not 2.5 inches.

 

I originally put those "stock" Delco struts on the front and got about a 2+ inch rise that didn't settle after 2 weeks, so I sent them back and got the KYBs. I've only put the fronts on and have a about a 1 inch rise compared to the current original rears. So I think the rear will match up when the new KYBs go on and not have the "truck look". It does seem like the KYBs are a little firmer than the original Delcos were when it was new. If you look at my photos, you can see the still original rears are lower.