Quickstrut for Camry

[supton]

KYB or Monroe? I did some poking around and it seems Monroe is recommended... maybe. In a way they all have some drawback compared to OEM.

Shop says my 2011 Camry will need struts next year; they said to wait until after winter. I started to ask about using OEM parts and they seemed to think the car was getting too old to bother. Recommended quick struts to save on labor. Makes sense really, after 10 years and 233k it's all pretty well worn. Take the cheapest path.

I honestly don't know how long I'll keep the car--between a year and 5? I'm starting to warm up to the idea of driving for another 5, then get a new car. But that's a long ways away from now, and the car is getting crunchy underneath. I don't see either of my kids driving it either, so it isn't hand-me-down fodder for newbie teen drivers. So I'm thinking it might be worth quickstruts, just not sure which one to gamble on--the Monroes I have on the '99 seem to be ok, the strut bearings clunk while turning but they've been doing that for a couple of years now.

 

[Imp4]

I've used KYBs several times on an '03 and an '09 Camry and I've been happy every time.

 

[JeffKeryk]

If the budget allows, I would go for the KGBs. I put them on a '93 Lexus ES300; they transformed the car.

 

[supton]

I've used KYBs several times on an '03 and an '09 Camry and I've been happy every time.

I've read they ride stiff? I'm guessing that's subjective and all.

If the budget allows, I would go for the KGBs. I put them on a '93 Lexus ES300; they transformed the car.

Well that's two votes for KYB's. [Or is it one vote for KYB's and a vote to return to the cold war?] It might be nice to wake up the car, it does wallow around a bit on the highway at speed. Never noticed a corning problem--but then again, it's a Camry, cornering is something it watches other cars do.

 

[DuckRyder]

I'd go KYB if you can get them... normally Id say get struts, bump stops and bearings and build them... but ive been waiting on some KYB strut bearings since March - current ETA January...

 

[Shel_B]

I have a 2011 Camry, installed KYB struts and ancillary components but kept the original springs. I don't know how much, if anything, you'll save by buying the "quickstruts" vs what I did, depends on labor costs really.

I found the Monroes to not be much different in price from the KYB units (again, YMMV) and my suspension guy, who did the install and who I've known and worked with since 1984, told me that he'd had more quality issues with the Monroes than he was comfortable with.

I'm pleased with the results ... I did the right thing for my budget and situation. I'd suggest you look carefully at your options.

 

[ruhroh]

I went through this same question a few years back.

Monroe - lifetime warranty even for wear and tear. You're more likely to have to use that warranty though.
KYB - lifetime warranty only for manufacturer defects, specifically says it doesn't cover wear and tear. Slightly stiffer. Typically last longer than Monroe's OESpectrum line - which the Quickstrut line use the parts to assemble.

I went with Monroe Quickstruts, but I would vote for KYB. The Monroe strut mount sucks for my Rav4; the bearing is too tight.

 

[The Critic]

I've read they ride stiff? I'm guessing that's subjective and all.


Well that's two votes for KYB's. [Or is it one vote for KYB's and a vote to return to the cold war?] It might be nice to wake up the car, it does wallow around a bit on the highway at speed. Never noticed a corning problem--but then again, it's a Camry, cornering is something it watches other cars do.

I just installed a set of KYB's on my FIL's 08. They are a hair stiffer than the originals but the ride quality is very acceptable. I reused the factory springs though.

Durability has been a real issue with KYB's struts, IME, ever since they went to the black ones. At most I get 50-75K before the struts feel soft or develop minor leaks. No such issues with OE, on any brand.

 

[supton]

Starting to sound like KYB is the way to go. Maybe I should keep the old struts and swap the coils if it's a problem--I could store for a few months, and if it's somehow intolerable, have them swapped.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Another vote for KYB, who made the factory shocks on your Camry.

 

[zrxkawboy]

If the budget allows, I would go for the KGBs. I put them on a '93 Lexus ES300; they transformed the car.

Let’s leave Soviet agents out of this discussion!

 

[joegreen]

I think kyb makes the factory shocks/struts on some asian vehicles.

 

[Kira]

Ha, because your Monroes 'clunk when turning' you owe KYB a shot.

Q: Is there any breakage data on reused front springs?
Q: Any data on "quick-strut" spring failures?

Fully inspect the strut towers for rust. Finding the bearing plate clean is good.

 

[Hyundai Respecter]

I used Monroe Quick Struts on my older Kia Soul and the strut had a SACHS sticker on it. So far they have been great.

The KYB Strut-Plus I put on my old Elantra had a noisy strut mount bearing, but the replacement Rock Auto sent was ok.

 

[barkingspider]

I went through the same thing recently for my Vibe as the original struts were well done. KYB were more than what I wanted to spend. Monroe would take 2 weeks to be delivered. Autozone had duralasts complete struts in stock for the same price as the Monroe’s so I went w Duralast. Lifetime warranty. So far so good. Rides so much better than the old struts .

 

[WobblyElvis]

My experience, KYB are stiffer than the OE product. Just bought a couple of Monroe premium quick struts, one is good, the other lasted until I left my driveway.

 

[GMBoy]

Based on several experiences across several car makes - I will never use a Monroe OE Spectrum product ever again.

 

[Passport1]

I've used KYB and Monroe. The Monroe shocks get soft quickly. KYB are stiff and stay that way. Makes this old fart think wistfully about that difference.

 

[khittner1]

I've used Monroe Quickstruts on my '02 Camry for the past twelve years, and nearly 200K miles (the car has 308K on it now). It's on its second set of Monroes, but I got them for free from RockAuto on a warranty return after 100K+ miles. I assume that they're a 90-100K mile replacement item. The current (2nd) set is still going strong, though, and the car rides well and with little suspension noise for its age/mileage. If my son (its current driver) wants to keep topping off the oil to get it to 400K, I might try KYBs for the next set of suspenders.

 

[Schandyman]

KYB or SENSEN.