Experience/Opinions on Monroe Sensa-Tracs

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: antonmnster
I put SensaTracs in a Saab once. I thought they sucked... they were harsh on small stuff and soft on big stuff, kind of the opposite of what I was looking for.


Overall, this is my experience with Monroe products as well. I've never been all that happy with them, and was never impressed with the Sensa-Trac line. That said, I have a pair of Monroe Reflex shocks on the front of my Dakota and really like those. Those are the best aftermarket replacement shock I've bought. Unfortunately, they don't make the Reflex in many strut applications, and the Sensa-Trac is all you can get.

 

[charbaby]

Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
Originally Posted By: antonmnster
I put SensaTracs in a Saab once. I thought they sucked... they were harsh on small stuff and soft on big stuff, kind of the opposite of what I was looking for.


Overall, this is my experience with Monroe products as well. I've never been all that happy with them, and was never impressed with the Sensa-Trac line. That said, I have a pair of Monroe Reflex shocks on the front of my Dakota and really like those. Those are the best aftermarket replacement shock I've bought. Unfortunately, they don't make the Reflex in many strut applications, and the Sensa-Trac is all you can get.


And from my understanding, the REFLEX are only for trucks and SUV's. Monroe may now have expanded on the applications.

 

[meep]

93 Grand Chero had full set of sensatraks when I bought it. They were well-matched for it. may have been a little stiff on the hwy, but they were great around town. Also, it had over 240,000 miles on it, so it's not like the rubber bits were any good. But it was well-dampened and was surprisingly stable in panic stops/maneuvers.

M

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Char Baby
And from my understanding, the REFLEX are only for trucks and SUV's. Monroe may now have expanded on the applications.


I'm hoping they do. To my understanding, without looking it up, the Reflex uses Velocity Sensitive Damping (VSD), whereas the Senra-Trac uses Position Sensitive Damping (PSD). The theory is that the VSD can vary damping at any point of travel based on the road condition and speed of deflection (severity of "bump"). PSD can only vary damping based on where the valve is in the damper reservoir. In the middle of travel, it's "valved light", and tightens up at each extreme. This is, I believe, why so many report poor damping with the Sensa-Trac.

On the truck, the Reflex is a very good shock. There are no episodes of bouncing or undulation after larger dips. There's no float either. But at the same time, the ride is as smooth as reasonable from a vehicle with so much mass, both sprung and unsprung, while still returning good handling. It's one of the best dampers I've owned, OE or otherwise, and I think it's because of that VSD.

Some OEM-type dampers these days use a form of VSD, but not all do. It's for this reason why I say that for the OP, a Sensa-Trac strut may or may not be an "upgrade" from OEM. I don't think the Monroe products are of "poor quality". Rather, they just don't seem to perform as good as either a standard damper or a VSD. It's a product that attempts to address the problem, probably with the best technology they had at the time (15-20 years ago), but I think there are better solutions today. I prefer both VSD and conventional dampers to PSD dampers.

 

[doitmyself]

After reading all the posts, it really seems like it's hit or miss with the Sensa Tracs, depending on your vehicle. I wonder if KYB is the same....hit or miss.

 

[SteveSRT8]

I have KYB's on some VERY heavy trucks and they are very impressive.

Pretty high on my lists.

 

[wrcsixeight]

Back before I did most all my mechanical work, I had a shop install some KYB gas a justs on my front only.

I was impressed by how much better it handled.
4 years later I hit a big old pothole and heard some rattling, and looking underneath, I saw the shock hanging below the lower control arm. The through pin had sheared off.

I bought and replaced the KYB's with Monroe sensa tracks, and noticed the Monroes were shorter then the KYB's. Upon further research I found the shop who installed them used the wrong KYB shock.

On the Sensa tracks I Drove 2+ hours back to my receipt and the shop who installed them. The longer I drove the less I liked them. It really felt like I was removed from the road, floaty, with no feedback.

Found the receipt, the shop replaced the Monroe's with the correct KYB Gas-a-Justs no charge, and these proper shocks really made my Van handle and feel better. I returned the Monroes for a full refund.

The KYB's do transfer more road shocks then the M S T 's, at least in my application, but the improved handling and feel are more important to me with a top heavy conversion van. I now have them on all 4 corners and have full confidence in them.

 

[IndyIan]

I think its worth examining what exactly is changing with your cars ride quality. That should determine what parts you replace.
If you car is floating over bumps and oscillating a couple times after a dip then it is new strut time.
If its getting harsh on small sharp bumps then it maybe the upper mount hardening or the A-arm bushings getting worn out, or just your interior is loosening up, or it might be your struts failure mode is to get stiffer?
If your car is riding lower and bottoming out more but doesn't oscillate then its probably your springs have softened.

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: BBuzecky
I own a 2004 Mazda 3 with about 82,000 miles. As with any suspension it has gotten worse over time, and I feel this spring it's time for some new struts/shocks. I am considering going all OEM from my online Mazda dealer who gives solid prices, or Monroe Sensa-Tracs. Here are my pricing options..

OEM = $435 shipped

Monroe Sensa-Tracs from RockAuto = $242 Shipped

Monroe Sensa-Tracs from Advance Auto = $175 including taxes, shipped.

The Advance auto price takes into account these crazy 40% off coupons they've had for so long, so it makes for one sweet deal. So my question is has anyone dealt with Monroe's in the past, and what are your experiences?

My goal is to get the most forgiving/softest ride I can get. The Mazda 3 is never going to ride like it's on a cloud, it's not supposed to, but I'd like to get as close as I can realistically. Please give me your thoughts.


What code are you using the get 40% off?