Difference in struts?

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daves87rs

daves87rs

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It has me wondering, at least.

Gotta change the struts on the wife's Cavalier (2003) I'm usually the guy that always puts the good stuff on. But on this one, I'm not so sure.

The two struts I'm looking at are both monroe. The Monro-Matics, and the Sensa-tracs. With the Matics, I could do both the front and backs for under 200 bucks.The Sensas would about 80 bucks more. I'm not looking to change the ride, just keeping the ride stock as it ever was. Two Major reasons for the matics 1) car is already 7 years old, and starting to rust 2) No strut is going to last here on these REAL bad MI roads. I've seen a set of KYBs done at 27k. Yeah, our roads are bad.


I guess my question is-how good are the Monro-matics? Would there really be a reason to get the Sensas? Will I even notice a difference in a cavalier? The few things that I heard about the MMs were good, but I don't know enough about them...


if they last 50k, I would be happy...
 
I learned the hardway with Monroe. They lasted about a year. Then I put a set of Boge's on and they lasted the remainder of the time I owned which was about 4 years. I have had good results with Bilstein and Boge JMO
 
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I put Sensatracs on our Vibe in October. Very happy with them so far. Back then the STs had a $60 rebate with a set of four. Don't know enough about the Matics to give you feedback.
 
I have used MM's in the past and they were a well-built pressurized strut with consistant valving. I never knew them to wear out quickly (Ford Bronco II; various cars...)
 
Originally Posted By: barlowc
I thought the Sensa-Tracs had a lifetime warranty. But maybe that's only when purchased at Belle Tire?



Maybe. But I'm not paying 980 dollars either....(parts and labor)


The downside to having struts on the front and back...
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
I have used MM's in the past and they were a well-built pressurized strut with consistant valving. I never knew them to wear out quickly (Ford Bronco II; various cars...)



That's what a few have said too...
 
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
in order of preference (and gee, highest cost first)

Bilstein
KYB
Monroe
Gabriel


Haven't dealt with KYB yet. Is their valving soft/smooth like the Sensa Track? I know they do a lot of high perf stuff for the aftermarket, but have yet to experience their O.E. replacements.
 
Originally Posted By: barlowc
I thought the Sensa-Tracs had a lifetime warranty. But maybe that's only when purchased at Belle Tire?


It is a mfgr lifetime warranty, it doesn't matter where you buy them. It also covers "wear-out" as long as the original purchaser of the struts/shocks owns that car, not just defects in the product. They don't cover install costs. I thought I heard somewhere they'll also send you new shocks/struts every 50k miles for free (you have to get them installed) if you call them. I don't know if that is true or not.
 
I got Sensatracks on my sierra, lifetime warranty made in US.
I put sensa tracks on my Jeep, lifetime warranty made in US
I just put sensa tracks on my Focus, lifetime warranty made in Spain.
I also plan on putting some on my Silverado and FJ when the stock ones wear out.

I noticed a HUGE difference in my Sierra above the others, better braking, better handling, smoother ride.

The jeep has standard steering, so I didnt notice it when I turned but when I went wheeling it felt a bit smoother and braking was a bit more responsive.

The focus so far I do notice better steering and thats about it. I had to replace both front strut bearing plates up top because 1 stud on each size broke because they were all seized. I had to loosen them up as part of the procedure to replace the clutch on that car.
 
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Originally Posted By: The_Eric
Originally Posted By: tomcat27
in order of preference (and gee, highest cost first)

Bilstein
KYB
Monroe
Gabriel


Haven't dealt with KYB yet. Is their valving soft/smooth like the Sensa Track? I know they do a lot of high perf stuff for the aftermarket, but have yet to experience their O.E. replacements.


The KYBs on my Saturn seem to be tuned incorrectly. It feels as though there is barely any dampening and I only have 16k on my KYB struts. Weird.
 
Originally Posted By: The_Eric

Haven't dealt with KYB yet. Is their valving soft/smooth like the Sensa Track?


I had some KYB's on one of my Xj6's for a brief period of time and they were hard as rocks.

I would not get KYB dampers again. I've never had Gabriel struts, but I put some of their shocks on my Exploder and they were hard as rocks. I would not buy them again.

I've had good results from Bilstein, Boge, Koni, and Monroe. For the money, I think Bilsteins are hard to beat.
 
I had MM on an old chevy and they were ok, no complaints, but not really refined. also on an older escort. there is a big improvement doing to the sensa traks, 1993 jeep.

kyb's on my subaru were stiffer but well-valved. little stuff, car stayed stiff, but just floated over speed bumps and potholes. kyb makes alot of oem struts... chrysler, subaru.... and some seem to fail early.

lotsa jeep folks seem to like biltsiens, firmer than stock. But of the bunch, this jeep will prolly see sensa-traks in the future.
 
I tried Sensa tracs on my Expedition and they died about a year later (oil leaking)I also used them on my 2000 Grand Prix and found them way to soft,they turned it into a land barge.

Replaced all with Bilstien,the difference is like night and day,they are firm and well controlled.

My list..
Koni Bilstien tied depending on model
Sachs
Boge
OEM
 
Originally Posted By: mopar_monkey
they have a good video on this site, i'm very happy with the kyb gas a just shocks i have on my truck and they weren't to pricey.

http://www.kyb.com/vehicle/how.php


True..I like KYB...just can't justify too much of an upgrade on this car.....
 
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