Was thinking about gambling on the FCS's. Not sure if I want to turn wrenches on it twice.
FCS struts from Rock Auto?
- Thread starter B1974
- Start date
That my friend is the 64K question. You know the answer.
Answer is probably no.
You're in Mittelfranken? I was supposed to go therefor a family reunion in the summer of 2020, and I don't think summer of 2021 is going to happen either....
What Trav said! These are bottom of the barrel with only Monroe OEM Spectrum and Quik Strut slightly better.
What Trav says.... if you’re keeping the car for a few years, go with good stuff like KYB. On the other hand, i did buy FCS shocks for the rear of a friend’s 04 Volvo S80. The FCS’s were about 12 bucks each (unbelievable). They looked very good quality (from the outside), and are working well thus far (few months). The bottom rubber bushing is tiny compared to the OEM shock, so that and the unknown internals probably do not bode well for the long term.
I used the FCS quick strut/springs on the rear on my totally rotted 1996 Maxima. I could not justify spending money on a more expense set of springs/struts. The FCS set up was on my Maxi for two full years with absolutely no complaints. The ride quality seemed fine and the ride height was unchanged.
Thanks for the replies, I've ordered the MANDO quick struts from rock auto.
I'll post a update once they've been installed for a while.
I'll post a update once they've been installed for a while.
I have good experience with KYB, Tokico is ok for my set but from what I heard they sort of "went out of business" in retail due to some problem they had before on Mazda or something like that. I would probably not get Gabriel or Monroe but at least they have been around and people haven't sue them into bankruptcy yet.
I heard Sash / Sach (forgot the spelling) made OEM and are good.
I'd stay away from ricer brand and slap a label on everything brand, like Tien, Sensen, Moog, AC Delco, etc.
I heard Sash / Sach (forgot the spelling) made OEM and are good.
I'd stay away from ricer brand and slap a label on everything brand, like Tien, Sensen, Moog, AC Delco, etc.
I swapped out all 4 struts with FCS quick struts on my Kia Spectra last March, so a little over a year in service.
So far, no complaints. Ride is a little on the firm side, which I prefer anyways.
So far, no complaints. Ride is a little on the firm side, which I prefer anyways.
Aside from the "unknown / uncertain" quality of a Quick-Strut there's the question of spring rate / strength / whatever.
I've read some vehicles have 7 spring sets available on the assembly line. I suppose rear axle applications are more forgiving than fronts.
Add to that questions of spring / seat / bearing quality and it makes sense to swap hardware over to a replacement bare strut.
Anybody ever look up quick-struts for their vehicle then look up the same for the same vehicle with a heavier engine? just askin'.
I've read some vehicles have 7 spring sets available on the assembly line. I suppose rear axle applications are more forgiving than fronts.
Add to that questions of spring / seat / bearing quality and it makes sense to swap hardware over to a replacement bare strut.
Anybody ever look up quick-struts for their vehicle then look up the same for the same vehicle with a heavier engine? just askin'.
That is 100% correct! Many springs are color coded usually with different colored dots eg 2 purple, 1 yellow and 3 brown, anything else will either ride too soft, too hard or the ride height may be different.
Most quick struts are a generic spring and many times bump the ride height up by an inch or two. One euro car that I am aware of has a 2.0 and a 2.8 and between them 45 different combinations of springs.
In this case, OE quick struts are available for the OP's car
GM is probably too cheap to make that many different spring rates, and this car only had one engine option.
The difference between spring rates are likely very minor, unless there is some kind of sport suspension or other special system (electronic, air, Nivomat, magnetic, etc), but the Lambdas don't have those systems.
“Overcoming Your Fear of Spring Compressors: A 2 Page Thread”
SACHS, yes, I concur, good stuff.
These are one of the best aftermarket and OE spring suppliers in the business, the ride height, rate are 100% correct and they last. Look up the part # in the catalog and google the part to find someone offering it.
https://web.tecalliance.net/lesjofors/en/home
https://web.tecalliance.net/lesjofors/en/home
Rock Auto carries some Lesjofors springs for select cars
Mando quick struts are installed and ride well. Getting a front end alignment later this week.
Over 6 months since Mando quick strut install and the ride quality is great. I would use this brand again.
I put a pair on an 05 Cadillac CTS because the customer was on a very tight budget. The struts went on ok but the rear shocks were not an exact fit and required an additonal 20 min a side for me to adapt them to work. The ride was fine, not sure the ultimate outcome because it's only been 6mos but so far the customer is happy...she got new dampers all around for around 700 installed.
Supposedly Sensen or FCS is the supplier for MasterPro(O’Reilly) or Duralast(Autozone) so that also gets you a “lifetime” warranty but with more markup that Rock.
I’d rather install Monroe or Gabriel than either of those IMO.
I’d rather install Monroe or Gabriel than either of those IMO.
