Looking to do new struts on the 2005 Chrysler. This vehicle has the upper control arm as part of the strut assembly. After searching around I found unity struts that come with the upper control arm/ball joint pre-attached. This is a big time saver! So my question is around the quality of these. I find a lot of mixed reviews about them, some say Unity Struts are good, some say otherwise. When looking at price point, they are priced the same as the "economy" GFS Struts from Rock Auto, are they really any worse? This is a car with 140,000 miles, sees 5000 miles/year on a good year and is cosmetically/mechanically in really good shape still. Is it really worth spending double if not more on Monroe when I can go the economy route? The car is mostly an around town car, maybe I will take it out of town 40-60 miles a couple times. The original struts from 2005 are on it, they creak terribly over even the smallest bump in the road and there is a lot of bouncing so I have to do something and don't want to pay much. Part of me feels like this car might be on borrowed time, but the 2.7 runs like a dream, transmission shifts perfectly, AC is cold and the car has no rust.....this car could quit tomorrow or go another 100K, I just don't know.
Question on Unity struts
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If you are going to do it yourself, time is the one advantage you have over a professional.
From what I have read here, I do not trust quick struts. You know they are cheaping out somewhere, most likely the strut mount which may or may not require the strut to be removed to replace it. I have also read on here that the monroe quick struts are not great quality and people who buy them end up using their warranty at least once. Quick struts are to save shops time, not to provide longevity. They do not make sense when you can spec your own components and assemble yourself with a spring compressor.
I think Gabriel ultras were recommended on here? Usually there are promotions like 25% off or something.
From what I have read here, I do not trust quick struts. You know they are cheaping out somewhere, most likely the strut mount which may or may not require the strut to be removed to replace it. I have also read on here that the monroe quick struts are not great quality and people who buy them end up using their warranty at least once. Quick struts are to save shops time, not to provide longevity. They do not make sense when you can spec your own components and assemble yourself with a spring compressor.
I think Gabriel ultras were recommended on here? Usually there are promotions like 25% off or something.
My issue is more around my knowledge and assortment of tools. I don't feel comfortable with a spring compressor to assemble a strut assembly. This car has a design flaw with the upper control arm that requires even a quick strut to be compressed to put the control arm bolts in. The Unity strut having that attached already makes this a project I can likely handle. The quote I got from local shops was in the neighborhood of $600 to do both sides with quick struts. Id love to get the struts replaced at home, save some money and learn something at the same time.
Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Quick answer- Nope!
Know a few who tried....get less than 2 years/12k on them. And pretty much all the china ones are bad....though Monroe's Blues (economy) should at least hold up to about 30k........
The Blue Monroe Econo Matic are garbage. I put them on my car and at less than 20K they are noisy, the ride is getting bad and need replaced. AVOID!
Quick answer- Nope!
Know a few who tried....get less than 2 years/12k on them. And pretty much all the china ones are bad....though Monroe's Blues (economy) should at least hold up to about 30k........
The Blue Monroe Econo Matic are garbage. I put them on my car and at less than 20K they are noisy, the ride is getting bad and need replaced. AVOID!
Monroe has a $100 rebate promo going on right now, and it goes until the end of April. So the set of 4 quick struts ends up being about $300.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Monroe has a $100 rebate promo going on right now, and it goes until the end of April. So the set of 4 quick struts ends up being about $300.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
+1
Monroe has a $100 rebate promo going on right now, and it goes until the end of April. So the set of 4 quick struts ends up being about $300.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
+1
Originally Posted By: slacktide_bitog
Monroe has a $100 rebate promo going on right now, and it goes until the end of April. So the set of 4 quick struts ends up being about $300.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
Thank you! Thats a big help! $300 is in the range of what I am willing to spend to do all 4, Ill look into the Monroe's! Thank you!
Monroe has a $100 rebate promo going on right now, and it goes until the end of April. So the set of 4 quick struts ends up being about $300.
The premium quick struts like Monroe, KYB, and Gabriel are good for at least 50k. The cheap ones like Unity and those other economy struts rarely make it past 10k.
If you absolutely cannot afford the premium quick struts, even with the rebates, at least get the Monroe's Roadmatic quick struts. They now have a 2-year warranty and might make it to 30k.
Thank you! Thats a big help! $300 is in the range of what I am willing to spend to do all 4, Ill look into the Monroe's! Thank you!
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