General strut/shock questions

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Originally Posted By: brelandt
However the spring rate maybe different. This will cause all sorts of issues not to mention tire wear from neg camber this may cause. Not sure if this is true or not with your car.


Yes, some of the sites like Rock Auto show that the quick struts for 6 cyl. Caravans fit the 4 cyl.. But when you go to the mfg. websites, they state "not for 4 cyl. models". That's why I confirmed it with e mails to the companies (still waiting to check Gabriel).

The struts/shocks are the same for 4 cyl. vs. 6 cyl.. I am guessing brelandt is correct about spring rates (handle different engine weights).

In fact, some sites claim that a vehicle might have up to a dozen different spring options and that quick struts are a compromise that may not match the OEM.

Thanks everyone.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: brelandt
However the spring rate maybe different. This will cause all sorts of issues not to mention tire wear from neg camber this may cause. Not sure if this is true or not with your car.


Yes, some of the sites like Rock Auto show that the quick struts for 6 cyl. Caravans fit the 4 cyl.. But when you go to the mfg. websites, they state "not for 4 cyl. models". That's why I confirmed it with e mails to the companies (still waiting to check Gabriel).

The struts/shocks are the same for 4 cyl. vs. 6 cyl.. I am guessing brelandt is correct about spring rates (handle different engine weights).

In fact, some sites claim that a vehicle might have up to a dozen different spring options and that quick struts are a compromise that may not match the OEM.

Thanks everyone.

Yep, even in the lowly Neon they sorted springs by length at the factory to try to ensure all trim levels had the same ride height.
For nursing along 10+ year old vehicles for another couple years, it doesn't matter too much...
I'd almost like to try the V6 quick struts as you could probably toss the front sway bar and you could hammer over bumps without a care. When I was a young punk we had an 89 Caravan with a "tow package" that had it sitting almost 2" higher than normal and probably had stiffer shocks too. I had it flying over a couple hilltops on a nearby cottage road and it seemed to love it.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Originally Posted By: brelandt
However the spring rate maybe different. This will cause all sorts of issues not to mention tire wear from neg camber this may cause. Not sure if this is true or not with your car.


Yes, some of the sites like Rock Auto show that the quick struts for 6 cyl. Caravans fit the 4 cyl.. But when you go to the mfg. websites, they state "not for 4 cyl. models". That's why I confirmed it with e mails to the companies (still waiting to check Gabriel).

The struts/shocks are the same for 4 cyl. vs. 6 cyl.. I am guessing brelandt is correct about spring rates (handle different engine weights).

In fact, some sites claim that a vehicle might have up to a dozen different spring options and that quick struts are a compromise that may not match the OEM.

Thanks everyone.


Just go for it. To [censored] with using a spring compressor. And all the other components are on their way out anyway.

Using 6-cyl springs on a 4-cyl is probably better than the other way around. The quick struts will certainly outlast your transmission!

Gabriel struts supposedly ride softer than Monroe or KYB. aybestos quick struts are rebranded Monroe (although they are usually cheaper--I don;t know why!)

(sorry to threadjack)In the mid-90s Camry, the weight difference between the two engines is only about 10 lb--the 4-cyl is iron and the V6 is aluminum. And anyway new springs for the four is probably equivalent to worn springs for the six. The spring rates are the same, but the V6 has an extra coil (front only). The rear springs are the same. (/end threadjack)

You're supposed to get an alignment done anyway when replacing shocks and struts, even with the correct springs.
 
Originally Posted By: JustinC25
KYB's are the best, I've never had a problem with them.
I can't say the same about the Monroe's. Usually the Monroe's wear out in a year whenever I've used them. I got 7 years out of the last set of KYB's I had in my '95 Camry. Gabriels seem to ride soft to me. But I haven't used their struts, only their shocks. Recently I've heard good things about Sensen's. They are suppose to be a good copy of KYB GR2's but they use Japanesse made NOK seals. I just installed 2 sets of them. 1 in each of 2 different cars, and they ride just as good as KYB's. They are CHEAP money too. ($34 Each).
See if they have them on Rockauto, or apxautoparts.com
Good luck, and let us know how you make out.
Also be VERY careful with the spring compressors. Only get the one's with the lock pins to hold the spring should it break.
You do NOT want to mess with spring compressors, a cheap one can really hurt you if it fails.
 
I recently replaced the shocks and struts on my 92 Cavalier RS and used Monroe sensatracs. They seem to be doing a good job. I bought the Autozone strut compressor, which was rated pretty highly on Amazon, with the locking pins and it did a fine job. Just make sure you keep the threads lubricated. I used antiseize lube which is what they recommended.

Wayne
 
Originally Posted By: tommygunn
The quick struts will certainly outlast your transmission!

Had the tranny rebuilt last year
grin.gif
.....in spite of BITOG type care and the assurance 8 years ago (when bought new) that "they really did fix those tranny issues this time".
lol.gif
 
Using spring compressor is not really that big of a deal in terms of safety. The biggest difficulty I found is actually getting the top rubber seat and bottom suspension mounting point to align. It usually take me a few try to get it aligned right if it is off by some degrees.

I'd definitely recommend 2 people doing the job together.
 
Don't use one of those simple spring compressors, take your strut off the car and bring it to an auto repair shop. Pay the guy about $20 per side for him to use the good spring compressor at the repair shop.
 
twice a year or so Monroe will run a buy 3 get one free type deal. I did this using an Advance Auto coupon code. Since it was over $100, there was free shipping. Got 4 Sensatrac struts for my Cavalier for under $300. DO replace the upper strut bearing plate.
 
Originally Posted By: cbear
twice a year or so Monroe will run a buy 3 get one free type deal. I did this using an Advance Auto coupon code. Since it was over $100, there was free shipping. Got 4 Sensatrac struts for my Cavalier for under $300. DO replace the upper strut bearing plate.



Exactly what I do, wait for the rebate. They usually have one late spring, and early fall. Last year it was towards the end of October.
 
Those rebates also apply to quick struts. Last time I think it was $100 rebate on four quick struts. The rebate coming up this fall should probably be the same.
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
^^^Agreed. Standard equipment on my car and an amazingly high quality piece!

No KYB junk here, had too many fail on our service vans, no warranty service either.

Gabriels new line of HD shocks are awesome, they call them Ultra.

Our work 2007 Grand Caravan has the factory "towing" suspension. I have to say that it's a pleasure to drive that van because the original suspension - even now with 120,000 very hard miles - is just so fantastic. Comfortable yet very competent handling that will do what you want it to.

So I'd vote for the factory parts too.
 
Originally Posted By: MarkM66
Originally Posted By: cbear
twice a year or so Monroe will run a buy 3 get one free type deal. I did this using an Advance Auto coupon code. Since it was over $100, there was free shipping. Got 4 Sensatrac struts for my Cavalier for under $300. DO replace the upper strut bearing plate.



Exactly what I do, wait for the rebate. They usually have one late spring, and early fall. Last year it was towards the end of October.


I do this as well, Amazon had a killer deal on top of the buy 3 get one free, way cheaper than any auto parts store, although they do tend to play with their pricing a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: doitmyself
Both Monroe and KYB have limited lifetime warranties. When I asked about this at Carquest, they "said" that a leaking or bouncy strut/shock would be considered a defect and not wear.
21.gif


This might be a local policy and I am not sure how it would play out. My local Carquest seems to go above and beyond on customer care. Otherwise, I don't think that general wear is considered a warranty cause.


I turned in a full set of Monroe struts to AA for warranty due to wear, damping was gone after 100k miles and they replaced them, no additional questions when I producedd the receipt.
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I use regular Monroe OE Spectrum struts and I love them.
The last ones I bought were even made in USA.

OESpectrum struts are a special line of Monroe struts for foreign names only. They just introduced them recently.
 
OESpecturm replaces Sensa-trac in the foreign applications. The respective quick struts also feature OESpectrum where applicable
 
My Monroe OE Specturms were made in South Africa, I guess that is better than being made in China.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
I use regular Monroe OE Spectrum struts and I love them.
The last ones I bought were even made in USA.

OESpectrum struts are a special line of Monroe struts for foreign names only. They just introduced them recently.


I used OE Spectrum on a 200 Camry. Yes my Escort has some other Monroe type, but not sensa-trac.
 
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