Removing the KYBs

I put the strut into a vise so I could remove the KYB insert, the functional part of the shock absorber. I found a puddle of shock fluid in the bottom of the strut. At first I assumed that someone just had been too lazy to clean out the mess, but later learned that this is a (highly questionable) method to improve heat transfer from the shock to the strut. In fact, I doubt that there is much heat to transfer, or that a little oil near the bottom appreciably improves heat transfer, given that there is already a firm metal-to-metal contact at the same point. It's even less of an issue with the Bilsteins, as the business end of the shock is at the top, not the bottom, so there's no heat generated at the bottom end anyway. I removed the strut assemblies without changing any adjustments that affect wheel alignment. Because of the pressure in the new shocks, the ride height probably will change, though, so I'll have to reset it. I'll have to tweak the wheel alignment a bit when I'm finished, but the changes should be minimal.

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