Monroe shocks?

[::90AccordEx::]

I was thinking about getting Monroe shocks all the way around on my cb, and was just wondering if anyone has experience with them on how good and solid the ride is. I want to get their sesna-trac quik struts for the front, and the regular gas-matics on the rear, originally wanted kyb agx ajustables, but they're out of my budget right now, plus I have skunk2 adjustable coilovers all the way around, so I don't think I need something that fancy. Thanks

[sn000t]

I was thinking about getting Monroe shocks all the way around on my cb, and was just wondering if anyone has experience with them on how good and solid the ride is. I want to get their sesna-trac quik struts for the front, and the regular gas-matics on the rear, originally wanted kyb agx ajustables, but they're out of my budget right now, plus I have skunk2 adjustable coilovers all the way around, so I don't think I need something that fancy. Thanks

My dad told me Monroe is great. But I dont know anything more about them other then that. IMO your better off spending a little more money and getting Koni's all around.

http://www.neuspeed.com/products/pro...port&p_id=1136

[HenRoc]

Well if you have coil overs..I can tell you right now that those stock struts will blow in a couple of months time.

Struts are only made to withstand so much pressure from weight. Most of the cars that I've seen..the owners just toss coilovers on stock struts and think that it's a done deal.

Well if you value your lower back and money that you make..I'd say save up and just buy decent aftermarket struts.


Look into the KYB GR2 struts allot better stock replacement and money wise they won't rob you blind.

[konan2.4]

If u go wit monroe dont do the sensa tracs go wit the reflexs they r a better ride n even wit ur coilovers they will b nice n smooth. N u can never go wrong wit a set of the kyb gr2s oreilly auto parts has great deals n will price match wit ne auto parts store or web site as long as warranties r the same. So if u search n find them for a good price they will match n u will get them same day or next day delivery

[deevergote]

It's not about "fancy". It's about SAFE. Improperly matched shocks for your setup will be dangerous.

Monroe is garbage. Everything they have to offer. I wouldn't put them on a bone stock car, let alone a lowered one! They most certainly are not made for a drop, or a higher spring rate. The sensa-tracs are really nothing but shocks with a premade fluid leak. They come half-blown from the factory, and they call it a "feature"!

KYB makes nothing to match a high spring rate or low drop. Their AGX (adjustable) will be likely to blow out at any drop lower than 1.5" (and their warranty is void beyond that.) Their GR2s are barely more than stock replacement. Valved for only a 15% increase in spring rate, and even less of a drop.

If you want decent shocks, get Koni STR.T. They're about as affordable as anything else mentioned, and they will actually withstand the drop.

www.neuspeed.com.

If u go wit monroe dont do the sensa tracs go wit the reflexs they r a better ride n even wit ur coilovers they will b nice n smooth. N u can never go wrong wit a set of the kyb gr2s oreilly auto parts has great deals n will price match wit ne auto parts store or web site as long as warranties r the same. So if u search n find them for a good price they will match n u will get them same day or next day delivery

You're among adults. Please use your big boy words. Thanks.

[Cautrell05]

Educate me here. I see the phrase "your struts will blow out" thrown around alot with no specific discription of what exactly fails and why. The only thing I could see with lowerd springs and stock struts is that the dampening may not be enough to keep the strut from bottoming out over large bumps due to the reduced up travel. Or if you have really stiff springs and stock shocks they may not have heavy enough dampening to keep it from bouncing.
Ive been racing long enough to know that the spring rate and shock rate need to be matched but it does get annoying to see a generic term like your struts will blow out if you run those get thrown around every other day.

Nick
17 year profesional mechanic
15 years in suspension, steering and alignment
13 years master ase certified
15 years racing stock cars

[HondaFan81]

I personally do not like Monroe from my experiences. I don't like the ride quality and they don't seem to last long. However, Tokico sells the HP blue shocks which are like stock replacements. They work well, fit well and are durable, have had experience with those. These Tokicos are cheap too as a full set.

Oh yea, Koni came out with the STR.T, check them out too.

[Cautrell05]

I forgot to put it in my last post but I put the monroe matics(cheap blue body) in the front of my 90 dx 80,000 ago. they were ok for 60, at 70 they got really stiff and the last 10,000 they have been making alot of crunching noises. Yes they are junk. Honestly they were ok for the price. not great but ok. I know it wasnt on the OPs list of options but foreveryone else I would probably not recomend them unless its a low buck work beater, mine is.

Nick

[deevergote]

Those were on stock springs, right Nick? That would last longer simply because the manufacturer designed them to be used with those springs.


When I say "blow out", I mean literally that. The internal seals will wear out very quickly, making the shocks nearly useless... or in the worst case, the gas or fluid in the shock will actually be released. I've had that happen to a KYB AGX (KYB's best offering for our cars) on H&R Sport springs, which provide a 1.8" drop in the front, and aren't terribly stiff (I don't know the rate offhand.) Only .3" lower than the limit, and still what is considered a very mild drop by most people's standards, and the shock couldn't withstand a minor pothole at about 25mph.

On the other hand, my current suspension H&R Race springs (2.2" drop, stiffer spring rate) and Koni Yellows. I've hit much worse potholes at higher speeds, and there's no degradation of performance. Nothing has blown out.



Mismatched springs/shocks will result in unpredictable behavior, especially at the limit (and in a panic situation, that could be the difference between life and death.) Additionally, a severely worn or blown shock will not keep the tires planted on the ground. A panic stop or a turn over an uneven surface will result in the wheels bouncing off the ground, making the car neraly impossible to control.

[1.sikk]

Koni Yellow Shocks with Ground Control Coilovers are the way to go. Proper match.

[Cautrell05]

Thanks deev, thats what I was wondering. Im actually suprised the cheap monroes lasted that long considering I drive 12 miles a day on gravel roads. The springs are stock although I did cut 3/4 of a coil out of them back when I put the struts in. I was aiming for an inch, got 3/4. didnt want the lowered look, just the not so tall look. Flame away I dont care. By pulling one of the top coils out where they are closer together it did stiffen up the spring rate just a little bit but not bad. Only time it bottoms out the suspension is when huge bumps.

Who caries the KYBs? Local just has the usual off the shelf brands.

Nick

[::90AccordEx::]

Thanks to everyone for their input, you all had very useful info and I know what to shoot for. Definitely going for the Koni's. One last question though, I have skunk2 adjustables will they work good with the Konis? Thanks again guys!!

[ExplodingCake]

Thanks to everyone for their input, you all had very useful info and I know what to shoot for. Definitely going for the Koni's. One last question though, I have skunk2 adjustables will they work good with the Konis? Thanks again guys!!

Yes.

[grunter666]

You can talk bad about Monroe all you want, but they are a smoother stock ride. They don't last as long but give a better ride for the average person. If you want the KYB GR2 at a reasonable price check Carquest out. Their brand is a rebox of the GR2 at a decent price. My only customer complaints about them is the harsh ride on the small bumps. On a smooth road they handle excellent, and give a tight ride.

[deevergote]

Over old, blown 20 year old shocks? Of course they'll give a better ride.
A fat, snaggle-toothed, syphillis-ridden hooker will give you a better blowjob than you can give yourself, too... but that doesn't mean it's better.

If you're going to put money into a car, ESPECIALLY if it's intended to be an upgrade, and not just a stopgap stock replacement, then why waste money on cheap shit? There are better offerings on the market for roughly the same price. There is NO reason to get Monroe shocks. They are poorly made, and their "technology" is nothing but an intentional internal fluid leak.

I'm gonna start painting popsicle sticks and rubber bands powder blue and sell them as cheap viagra.