Any Quickstruts that are Decent for Toyota Matrix?

[jsean]

I’d pick the Monroe for the ‘03 Vibe. That’s what I have on my Corolla which was the same era. They’ve got about 80k miles on them now, the rears are starting to ride rough now.

The KYBs are more expensive and ride much harsher. I tried the FCS (shocks though and not the loaded struts) on my Pathfinder and they were damped horribly for sharp ridges/expansion joints.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

I’d pick the Monroe for the ‘03 Vibe. That’s what I have on my Corolla which was the same era. They’ve got about 80k miles on them now, the rears are starting to ride rough now.

The KYBs are more expensive and ride much harsher. I tried the FCS (shocks though and not the loaded struts) on my Pathfinder and they were damped horribly for sharp ridges/expansion joints.

Is Monroe still made in the US, though?

I though Monroe moved all manufacturing to China, and their shocks are no just rebadged, white box Made in China low end stuff.

 

[jsean]

Is Monroe still made in the US, though?

I though Monroe moved all manufacturing to China, and their shocks are no just rebadged, white box Made in China low end stuff.

I’m not sure. I bought these off RA in May 2021. I can’t remember now if they were already Made in China back then.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

I’m not sure. I bought these off RA in May 2021. I can’t remember now if they were already Made in China back then.

Looks like Monroe closed its US facility at the end of 2023.

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2021/11/11/tenneco-closure.html

 

[iahawk]

my '06 Vibe (same car) had Duralast struts from Autozone put on a few years before I bought it. They've now been on there 6 years and 30000+ miles and are excellent. In contrast...I put Monroe quick struts on my 14 Caravan and they suuuuck! Had to return driver's side strut for horrible noise...replacement came in and it is also noisy. RA wouldn't exchange 2nd defective strut...they would only refund my money if I sent the strut back to them. ***?

I read all the horror storied about Monroe but they were only ~$90 each at RA....I thought 'how bad could they be'? Worse than I imagined.

 

[amateurbob]

I have 75k on some FCS quick struts, while l am suprised at the longevity... I would not go with them again. The ride is "ok" but they started noises when making turns 3 years after l bought them.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Looks like Monroe closed its US facility at the end of 2023.

https://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2021/11/11/tenneco-closure.html

They still make them in Paragould, AR

 

[Nukeman7]

According to Post #12 in this BITOG thread, the Duralast loaded struts may be relabeled KYB quick struts. If true, they would be a good buy with the 20% online order discount. Having a local AutoZone brick and mortar store nearby makes the Lifetime Warranty easy to redeem, if necessary.

 

[Elroy the Brave]

my '06 Vibe (same car) had Duralast struts from Autozone put on a few years before I bought it. They've now been on there 6 years and 30000+ miles and are excellent. In contrast...I put Monroe quick struts on my 14 Caravan and they suuuuck! Had to return driver's side strut for horrible noise...replacement came in and it is also noisy. RA wouldn't exchange 2nd defective strut...they would only refund my money if I sent the strut back to them. ***?

I read all the horror storied about Monroe but they were only ~$90 each at RA....I thought 'how bad could they be'? Worse than I imagined

They still make them in Paragould, AR

Monroe closed the Arkansas plant:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/55-old-arkansas-plant-closing-155850401.html

 

[slacktide_bitog]

OP should get the KYB quick struts, if you're willing to spend the money. Also, KYB was Toyota's OE supplier. Even if the aftermarket struts aren't 100% the same as Toyota OEM, they should still be good stuff and serve you well.

Monroe closed the Arkansas plant:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/55-old-arkansas-plant-closing-155850401.html

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

 

[thescreensavers]

Toyota has 25% off right now, can go OEM for pretty cheap. Order pickup to your local dealer.

https://autoparts.southern441toyota.com/products/product/absorber-set-shock-fr-rh-48510a9340?intSrc=pco:national-pdp:dealervisit:dealer-pdp

https://autoparts.southern441toyota.com/products/product/absorber-assy-shock-rr-48530a9550

 

[panthermike]

According to Post #12 in this BITOG thread, the Duralast loaded struts may be relabeled KYB quick struts. If true, they would be a good buy with the 20% online order discount. Having a local AutoZone brick and mortar store nearby makes the Lifetime Warranty easy to redeem, if necessary.

If true, that's not a bad deal at all. Thank you.

Toyota has 25% off right now, can go OEM for pretty cheap. Order pickup to your local dealer.

https://autoparts.southern441toyota.com/products/product/absorber-set-shock-fr-rh-48510a9340?intSrc=pco:national-pdp:dealervisit:dealer-pdp

https://autoparts.southern441toyota.com/products/product/absorber-assy-shock-rr-48530a9550
View attachment 325935

You know, I hadn't even looked into these as an option but that's quite reasonable, much appreciated.

 

[PandaBear]

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

I tried that on 2 cars and they ended up not lasting till the new struts wear out. I would recommend getting new ones instead.

 

[crashz]

My only experience with loaded struts was with KYB and they were horrible. The ride was if they were replaced with solid blocks. They banged and clanged all the time. Wish I never replaced the worn originals.

 

[The Critic]

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

At your mileage, not likely. When I replaced the front struts on my sister's former 2005 Corolla (which @JeffKeryk now has), I remember the bearing dust seal being completely disintegrated. I also had to replace the upper and lower insulators since they were torn.

 

[D1dad]

The answer is always no.

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

This is the answer. I used them on a an 09 and was convinced they were defective. So bad that Gabriel sent me another set for free and I shipped the old pair back. The new ones were the same. They clunked at the slightest bump and set the nose up in the air a good 3-4” higher than stock. I eventually swapped out the old springs to the new and the car is still going strong. The garbage springs seem to be the culprit with these things. I helped a friend put mando ready struts on his car and they weren’t oem good, but way better than what I used. I’d reuse the springs and get a kyb bearing and top mount and call it a day. Bilstein or Sachs would be my choice. I’m at the point that if they aren’t bouncy or leaking and causing issues, Oem stays on.

 

[Intelligent Molecule]

All the after market quick struts I've tried have been a disappointment-not even close to OEM ride quality. But they do have price and ease of replacement on their side, and on a high mileage vehicle, that means a lot.

 

[donald53]

Just an FYI....got KYB struts for my 2005 Camry...been in the car for 2-1/2 years and 40k miles. They clunk and grind when turning or going over speed humps....especially when cold 30F or colder. I've had other KYB struts in other vehicles but these are by far the worst I've had. Bought from Rock Auto...and tried to warranty them. As a side note, before changing the struts I've replaced the ball joints, inner and out tie rod ends and sway bar end links. Control arm bushings are in good shape.

Rock Auto referred me back to KYB and this is there response in brackets:

[We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you’re experiencing. Please note that KYB’s warranty applies exclusively to items sold directly by our authorized retailers, not by third-party resellers. Additionally, the warranty is for manufacturing defects; the warranty does not cover products that need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.] THIS INCLUDES THE STRUT MOUNTS WHICH ONLY HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY!

[Rock Auto is not an authorized KYB retailer; it is an unauthorized third party reseller. Since your purchase was made through a third-party reseller, the product is not eligible for KYB's warranty terms. You will need to communicate with Rock Auto for further warranty assistance and guidance with their warranty policy.]

[Thank you for taking the time to contact us.]

No more KYB for me.

 

[The Critic]

Just an FYI....got KYB struts for my 2005 Camry...been in the car for 2-1/2 years and 40k miles. They clunk and grind when turning or going over speed humps....especially when cold 30F or colder. I've had other KYB struts in other vehicles but these are by far the worst I've had. Bought from Rock Auto...and tried to warranty them. As a side note, before changing the struts I've replaced the ball joints, inner and out tie rod ends and sway bar end links. Control arm bushings are in good shape.

Rock Auto referred me back to KYB and this is there response in brackets:

[We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you’re experiencing. Please note that KYB’s warranty applies exclusively to items sold directly by our authorized retailers, not by third-party resellers. Additionally, the warranty is for manufacturing defects; the warranty does not cover products that need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear.] THIS INCLUDES THE STRUT MOUNTS WHICH ONLY HAVE A 1 YEAR WARRANTY!

[Rock Auto is not an authorized KYB retailer; it is an unauthorized third party reseller. Since your purchase was made through a third-party reseller, the product is not eligible for KYB's warranty terms. You will need to communicate with Rock Auto for further warranty assistance and guidance with their warranty policy.]

[Thank you for taking the time to contact us.]

No more KYB for me.

Were you unable to initiate a warranty return thru the rockauto portal? If an item carries a lifetime warranty, rockauto’s portal allows you to initiate a claim without manufacturer interaction.

 

[donald53]

I tried the portal initially about a week ago....and like I mentioned above they referred me to KYB. I just tried the warranty replacement on Rock Auto's website and it allowed me put in a description of the problem, etc. You have two options on a return; 1.) return the defective product to Rock Auto and they'll supposedly send a new one or, 2.) order a new part, pay for it and return the defective part for a refund. You have to pay shipping to return and they'll split the freight with you on a new one. I'm wondering if they actually check for a defect or just scrap them and send new ones. Per KYB, there is NO warranty for third party resellers. So I guess they just eat the cost??