So I picked up all 4 of the Sensen complete "quick struts" for my 2005 Outback since it was still riding on the originals after 14+ years and 128k miles. I was doing this on a budget, and was just looking for something that actually had a "name" brand and their own "real" website, which Sensen seems to check the boxes. Cost was a fraction of the cost of the comparable Monroe quick struts; I did some careful Amazon shopping and got all 4 complete struts (top hats and all) for $325 delivered. I believe when I checked, the Monroes were about $170 each, so essentially less than half price.
So the fun part... as I said these were original struts and the car has been an Ohio/Indiana car since new, so the suspension bolts were ON THERE. I used my 1/2" impact first, then some MAPP gas, then a 3' breaker bar... rear strut lower bolts still not coming off. Here comes the rain storms of this spring... and so the car went back together. Dropped the car and struts off at my local indie who obviously has better tools, and 3 hours and $175 labor later the car is all back together. $500 total investment at this point and a 1500+ mile road trip starting the same day to break them in.
Quick background: 05-09 Outbacks are notoriously soft in the rear and a common "cheater" trick is to order 2000-2004 Outback springs/shocks because they are a hair stiffer and help eliminate bottoming and "ghost walking" (Google Outback ghost walk if interested). Spoiler alert: Sensen 2004 Outback replacement struts are still not stiff enough, so I'm terrified at how bad the "correct" struts would have been if Sensen actually sprung these correctly (it is a different part # from the 05-09 fitment).
"Empty" driving with just me and the wife: Front sits noticeably higher than old OEM, probably 1/2" or so. Rear sits about where it did with old OEM. On smooth surfaces, ride is very nice and controlled, rear end wallowing over gentle undulations is gone. Handling seems slightly improved, but still hampered by OEM 17mm sway bars on a 3500lb car. I have a Whiteline rear bar waiting to go on to help some more, hopefully will be on by the end of this week. Quick dips with rebound seem to overwhelm the rear struts and the car will "whomp" down in the rear but not pogo. Hopefully as the struts wear in a little things will improve?
"Loaded" driving with me, the wife, and about 700lbs of cargo inside the car: Front end seems unfazed by additional load and is actually pitched up from what's going on "out back"
. Rear is begging for mercy sitting still, with what was nearly 5 fingers of wheelgap unloaded shrinking to maybe 2 full fingers (and I've got sausages). Ride is actually impressively smooth on flat roads, expansion joints and cracks are swallowed up nicely. Dips with quick rebounds have the car feeling like it's twurking while driving on US-35 thru Ohio. I know I was probably about 300lbs over the "normal" rating, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and say the Sensen still isn't stiff enough for a "lived in" 2005-2009 Outback. I'm trying to decide to "band aid" it with some saggy butt spacers, or do it right by sticking some increased rate, 0.5" taller King springs in the back.
Anyways, summary of this review: if you're looking to replace all your struts cheaply, these Sensen will get the job done. If you're expecting improved handling performance for pennies on the dollar, you will be disappointed. 1500 mile experience ratings:
Ride: 7 of 10
Springs: 7 of 10 front, 4 of 10 rear
Damping: 5 (meh, it gets the job done with no pogo)
Value:8 of 10 (half the price of Monroe, mileage will tell if this rating is too high)
Overall: 6.5 of 10 (If you expect "sporty" performance keep shopping past these)
So the fun part... as I said these were original struts and the car has been an Ohio/Indiana car since new, so the suspension bolts were ON THERE. I used my 1/2" impact first, then some MAPP gas, then a 3' breaker bar... rear strut lower bolts still not coming off. Here comes the rain storms of this spring... and so the car went back together. Dropped the car and struts off at my local indie who obviously has better tools, and 3 hours and $175 labor later the car is all back together. $500 total investment at this point and a 1500+ mile road trip starting the same day to break them in.
Quick background: 05-09 Outbacks are notoriously soft in the rear and a common "cheater" trick is to order 2000-2004 Outback springs/shocks because they are a hair stiffer and help eliminate bottoming and "ghost walking" (Google Outback ghost walk if interested). Spoiler alert: Sensen 2004 Outback replacement struts are still not stiff enough, so I'm terrified at how bad the "correct" struts would have been if Sensen actually sprung these correctly (it is a different part # from the 05-09 fitment).
"Empty" driving with just me and the wife: Front sits noticeably higher than old OEM, probably 1/2" or so. Rear sits about where it did with old OEM. On smooth surfaces, ride is very nice and controlled, rear end wallowing over gentle undulations is gone. Handling seems slightly improved, but still hampered by OEM 17mm sway bars on a 3500lb car. I have a Whiteline rear bar waiting to go on to help some more, hopefully will be on by the end of this week. Quick dips with rebound seem to overwhelm the rear struts and the car will "whomp" down in the rear but not pogo. Hopefully as the struts wear in a little things will improve?
"Loaded" driving with me, the wife, and about 700lbs of cargo inside the car: Front end seems unfazed by additional load and is actually pitched up from what's going on "out back"
Anyways, summary of this review: if you're looking to replace all your struts cheaply, these Sensen will get the job done. If you're expecting improved handling performance for pennies on the dollar, you will be disappointed. 1500 mile experience ratings:
Ride: 7 of 10
Springs: 7 of 10 front, 4 of 10 rear
Damping: 5 (meh, it gets the job done with no pogo)
Value:8 of 10 (half the price of Monroe, mileage will tell if this rating is too high)
Overall: 6.5 of 10 (If you expect "sporty" performance keep shopping past these)