Rio vs. Aspire struts

[drddan]

Searching thru posts(yes the search function!) and seeing all the posts about front Rio struts and Aspire struts, I got to wondering: Between these struts, is one stiffer than the other or about the same? I just scored 2 front Rio struts for $32 at PnP yesterday during their 1/2 off Memorial Day sale!
I may go back and get some Aspire struts too as I need them for the rear and i'll probably take the front while I am there.

Edit: I also found a secret to removing the Rio struts without having to "cut" the little linkage rod. If you take all the upper and lower strut bolts out first, then twist the strut and "bind up" the linkage rod, giving it a good hard yank when in this bind it will just pop off from the strut, leaving just the little "ball" that the rod attaches to on the strut. Much to my pleasant surprise while sawing on the first one! After sawing about half way thru I thought maybe I could bend and break it at the saw slot, and when I tried, the whole rod end just popped off the attachment ball. Popped off the other one no problem.

[bhazard]

I have Rio struts and springs. Cut 2.5 coils out and they're great.

[drddan]

I think I read your post. Still like to know which is stiffer. Rio or Aspire?
Your pics are not showing up either.

[bhazard]

I would imagine Rios are stiffer, since they are the heavier car. Not sure what's up with my pics...

[drddan]

Not sure what's up with my pics...

I hate when that happens....

[1988redfordfestiva]

it depends on what your using your car for to be honest i have the rio spring setup in my fronts but gona change mine soon.
my front end is more stiff the stock setup was making my front end loose..

[drddan]

How much did it raise your front end with the Rio's? I have twist in spring lifts on mine now to raise it. I'm thinking the Rio's would work out to be about the height I have now with the stock struts and the twist in spring lifts. I would estimate I now have about 1+ inch lift. I am looking for that 1 inch lift in a stiffer strut without the twist in spring lifts.

[bhazard]

Without cutting coils it was high enough to destroy my drivers side axle.

[drddan]

Really? How did it destroy the axle? Was it rubbing or just to much of a bind?

[bhazard]

Way too much angle. Tore the boot right in half. Axle was clicking. I wouldnt say destroyed but it wouldnt have lasted nearly as long.

[iceracerdude]

It levels an aspire out. If you think of it, they're all sagging about an inch to 1 1/2 inches always, especially when you consider that most everyone has at least one broken spring coil.
There are extra coils in the rio spring too. You may want to pick up some camber bolts to go with the rio springsand struts. They provide a much better ride with crisper turning I think.

[drddan]

My haul from the JY this weekend. 2 Rio front struts on right. 2 Aspire rear struts in middle and 1 Aspire front strut? The drivers side spring was broke, so I noticed, AFTER I took it off, so I only bought the one. $15 each.

[bhazard]

Very nice haul. My rio's were $35 apiece... though they did all the work.

And yes, you can see that the rio springs just have more spring to them.

[iceracerdude]

Great score!

[ShagFestiva]

very nice! I just picked up some aspire rear struts yesterday for 15$ a piece also. Not to jack the thread but are the rear strut spring perches the same diameter on the aspire as the festiva?