Any Quickstruts that are Decent for Toyota Matrix?

[panthermike]

Bought an '03 Matrix for pretty cheap that we will be giving to my FIL. The front struts are shot. Was looking into Quickstruts but there are so many cheap brands, hard to navigate.

- KYB seems good but 350-400 for the set. Trying to keep budget down as we paid for the car as well.
- RA has Mando but I live in AZ, so no shipping here
- I found some Gabriels but one side seems to be on backorder
- I've heard some say FCS Auto was ok
- Monroe Quickstruts have mixed reviews.

Any thoughts appreciated, even if he needs to do this again in a few years that's ok, I suppose most should be better than completely shot. I'd rather not do struts, don't really want to deal with compressing springs.

Thanks!

 

[MalibuRam65]

Monroe Quick Strut last the longest and has a nice comfortable ride most say .

 

[IndyIan]

Monroe Quick Strut last the longest and has a nice comfortable ride most say .

I've always use KYB, and they all have gone over 60-70k miles, and then the car was scrapped. I was able to transfer the rear shocks from one focus wagon to another and they are at 120k miles, still handle 400lbs of feed in the trunk, almost like new.
KYB will likely last to the end of the vehicle IMO, and I don't want to do struts again in a couple years, so I just get them.
Maybe price out Toyota OEM ones and then the KYB's will seem like a great deal!

 

[GaryMX5]

I have used KYB quick struts (and shocks) on several cars in the past. Last set was on my son's Mazda CX5. They may cost a little more but they last and restore the ride and handling to like new. They're not a gamble or crap shoot like many others. I put some Gabriel shocks on my PU. They have turned out to be garbage. They'll get replaced with KYB or Sachs soon.

 

[edyvw]

Bought an '03 Matrix for pretty cheap that we will be giving to my FIL. The front struts are shot. Was looking into Quickstruts but there are so many cheap brands, hard to navigate.

- KYB seems good but 350-400 for the set. Trying to keep budget down as we paid for the car as well.
- RA has Mando but I live in AZ, so no shipping here
- I found some Gabriels but one side seems to be on backorder
- I've heard some say FCS Auto was ok
- Monroe Quickstruts have mixed reviews.

Any thoughts appreciated, even if he needs to do this again in a few years that's ok, I suppose most should be better than completely shot. I'd rather not do struts, don't really want to deal with compressing springs.

Thanks!

Based on those options, probably KYB.
But, it is always best to use original springs and go with Bilstein, Sachs, or KYB struts and shocks.

 

[panthermike]

Question: If I re-use original springs, can you typically reuse mounts as well?

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Does the FIL live in AZ too, or a different state?

Monroe and KYB are probably the best quick struts, though Mando is probably good too.

 

[panthermike]

Does the FIL live in AZ too, or a different state?

Monroe and KYB are probably the best quick struts, though Mando is probably good too.

He lives in IA, could do it there but he doesn't really have the tools for it. Thanks for the input.

 

[ClutchDisc]

I have had Monroe and KYB pre assembled struts. I prefer the ride quality of the Monroe and would recommend that. The KYB are a bit harsh on ride quality.

 

[GaryMX5]

Based on those options, probably KYB.
But, it is always best to use original springs and go with Bilstein, Sachs, or KYB struts and shocks.

That's the way I would do it as well, but if you're not skilled transferring the springs or have the right tools readily available the quick struts can make the job a lot easier. I also trust KYB to match the proper spring length, spring rate, and use quality spring material vs some of the other options.

 

[GaryMX5]

Question: If I re-use original springs, can you typically reuse mounts as well?

Always best to replace the top hat (mount/insulator) when replacing the strut. They wear as well. KYB's are actually a really good option as well.

 

[Rand]

The answer is always no.

Quickstruts vary from bad to "omg how can they even sell this garbage"

 

[DCDG]

My vote would go to KYB if its affordability SenSen has done alright by me

 

[boom10ful]

I'd see if Mando is sold on Amazon and go with them. I'm very happy with the ride quality on them so far and the price is right.

 

[DCDG]

I'd see if Mando is sold on Amazon and go with them. I'm very happy with the ride quality on them so far and the price is right.

Mando as in the braking supplier? Didn't know they do suspension also.

 

[panthermike]

I'd see if Mando is sold on Amazon and go with them. I'm very happy with the ride quality on them so far and the price is right.

No such luck unfortunately. Sucks that RA doesn't ship here. I've heard of more than a few that have been happy with them.

 

[Elkins45]

I can’t speak specifically about the Matrix but I installed KYBs on my Scion xB. After several months of driving on them my impression is they ride slightly harsher than the factory struts on my other xB’s.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

installed some KYBs on a smaller car. The car rides much more harshly. Not a fan of KYB.

definitely not like what was in place for the OEM springs / shocks

 

[Leo99]

I used Quickstruts on my old Corolla. Had a lot of manufacturing defects until I finally got 4 good ones. The ones in the rear squeaked whenever it got below 40F. This was like 11 years ago. Maybe they've improved since then.

 

[DCDG]

for drivers that prefer a mush ride go Monroe.