Monroe, Gabriel or KYB quick struts?

[Elkins45]

Rock Auto has all three in stock for my Scion xB. The Monroe is the least expensive ($75) and the KYB and Gabriel are comparable in price ($115, $125). I've heard of all three brands. Are the Gabriel or KYB likely to be better quality and therefore worth the few extra dollars, or should I just get the Monroe and save a few bucks?

 

[Braapdaddy]

KYB

 

[Nukeman7]

Others here may disagree, but IME, the KYB struts are higher quality/more durable than the Monroe and Gabriel units. Some claim KYB's quality have declined in recent years, but I believe they are still better than most anything other than Bilstein and Sachs. Some Toyota OEM struts are supplied by KYB, but not sure about the xB units.

 

[GRUMPYDUDE2]

Others here may disagree, but IME, the KYB struts are higher quality/more durable than the Monroe and Gabriel units. Some claim KYB's quality have declined in recent years, but I believe they are still better than most anything other than Bilstein and Sachs. Some Toyota OEM struts are supplied by KYB, but not sure about the xB units.

. This!

 

[supton]

Attempting to follow this over the years has been a fool's errand. Who was best a few years ago doesn't seem to be anymore.

IMO I'd probably go Monroe (because I have in the past) and realize that I'll probably redo the job in 50k. There's a chance I might not need to (car might go away before the need arises).

Now if it was something I really cared about... I'd probably be paying a shop to install so as to reuse the springs. At that point then I'd be caring about the brand (OEM? something better?).

 

[benjamming]

aftermarket quick struts are almost always garbage

 

[CKN]

I can't understand the continuing recommendations for the teeth jarring KYB..across this forum.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get the KYB quick struts.

 

[Nukeman7]

I can't understand the continuing recommendations for the teeth jarring KYB..across this forum.

Over the years, I have installed 3 sets of KYB struts on various Hondas and one set of KYB (quick) Strut Plus on a Toyota. None of them have been more than 10-20% stiffer than the stock OEM struts they replaced. It seems like the overly-stiff complaints stem from installing aftermarket KYB struts on non-asian vehicles (e.g., Ford) that never came with them as OEM.

 

[CKN]

Over the years, I have installed 3 sets of KYB struts on various Hondas and one set of KYB (quick) Strut Plus on a Toyota. None of them have been more than 10-20% stiffer than the stock OEM struts they replaced. It seems like the overly-stiff complaints stem from installing aftermarket KYB struts on non-asian vehicles (e.g., Ford) that never came with them as OEM.

20% over stock would be
"stiff" for many.

 

[camrydriver111]

I had Monroe about 10 years ago on a Nissan. The ride height was an inch higher than factory, and it was definitely stiff.

I am sure they have improved since then. The quality of auto parts, especially aftermarket is constantly improving, right?

 

[DriveHard]

For my personal taste I would go KYB...but I have put Gabriel QS in three different cars and been overall very impressed for the cost.

 

[camrydriver111]

Over the years, I have installed 3 sets of KYB struts on various Hondas and one set of KYB (quick) Strut Plus on a Toyota. None of them have been more than 10-20% stiffer than the stock OEM struts they replaced. It seems like the overly-stiff complaints stem from installing aftermarket KYB struts on non-asian vehicles (e.g., Ford) that never came with them as OEM.

The problem is not the strtut itself but the spring.

A Chinesium spring isn't going to be the same quality as an OE one.

 

[Passport1]

Monroes get flacid pretty quickly. I've used Gabriel Ultras before and they were a good value shock. Give an OEM ride. KYB always seems to have a sharp edge but they last pretty long.

 

[The Critic]

I can't understand the continuing recommendations for the teeth jarring KYB..across this forum.

They're inconsistent. Sometimes they're 20% softer than factory and other times they're 20% stiffer. You never know what you get.

Thing is, KYB's are generally the least problematic of the group.

 

[meep]

I used to suggest KYB but I’m out of touch.

I installed a set of Gabriel ultra SHOCKS (not quicks) a couple of years back and they were definitely oem tuned, and even a little soft for my taste.

Monroe is hit and miss. I find that their higher end offerings have been pleasing. Monroe Reflex are excellent if you can get them. Sensa-track were 5% stiffer than oem and lasted the most consistently.

 

[Nukeman7]

The problem is not the strtut itself but the spring.

A Chinesium spring isn't going to be the same quality as an OE one.

Three sets of my KYB struts were manufactured in Japan and one set in Indiana. Where the springs were sourced from is anyone's guess.

 

[Urshurak776]

I have never had an issue with KYB. Buy with confidence.

 

[Elkins45]

It would be cheaper to buy the bare struts and a spring compressor tool than the full sets so I think that’s what I’m leaning toward. I’m always up for an excuse to buy a new tool, and that avoids the issue of possibly getting lower quality springs.

This is for the car that was only driven 15 mph in the golf resort so it’s odd that the struts are failing in it. I’ve never replaced a strut on any of my other vehicles in 40+ years.

 

[ka9mnx]

No question, KYB. Monroe are the worst. Lasted 6 months on my van and went super soft. Gabriel used to be a good brand. Not so much now.

Yes, KYB has a very firm ride (the ones I bought anyway). But I don't mind the firm ride with the sure footed road handling it gives. KYB's on all four of my vehicles.