which strut assembly should I choose?

[fengleim]

I need to change my front strut and decide to buy complete strut assembly for my 99 camry v6
I searched on the forum. It looks that most people believe KYB is very stiff and monroe is very soft

I just would like something around or a little stiffer than the original one. so which one should I choose ( in terms of feeling and quality). I do not want extremely harsh ride since I need drive on highway for sometimes; I do not want to drive a boat either.

so anyone can give me any suggestion? KYB, Gabriel or Monroe ?
thank you guys

[pmesfun]

I'd go with Gabriel Ultra, perfect compromise between comfort and handling. I got mine from Auto Zone with Lifetime Warranty for $107 after $20OFF coupon.

[fengleim]

I am pretty sure someone in the forum mentioned that Gabriel is the worst in terms of quality among these 3.

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I'd go with Gabriel Ultra, perfect compromise between comfort and handling. I got mine from Auto Zone with Lifetime Warranty for $107 after $20OFF coupon.

[capnblinski]

I am pretty sure someone in the forum mentioned that Gabriel is the worst in terms of quality among these 3.

I haven't heard that or read that. After some research I've settled on Gabriel Ultra's for the front on my '00 Camry LE 5sfe.

[pmesfun]

Care to post where that was said?

I have experience with all three brands. Monroes are too soft, handling suffers, they give a boat ride feeling. KYBs, I have them installed on two of our vehicles, great handling, they are a bit firm, nothing annoying. I believe Gabriel's quality is about the same as KYB, they ride a tad softer, handling is about the same and you don't feel as many bumps compared to KYBs.

[fengleim]

Thank you very much for your information.

I wish I could post, but I only copied a couple of sentences from the post I searched and pasted in a word file. so I can only paste it here. sorry I can not remember who post it here.
"
From harsh to soft
tokico>kyb>gabriel>monroe~=oem
gabriel parts are the lowest quality of the 3 brands. lower grade monroe (matic, some sensatrack. depends on the car too) stink too, upper grades are ok. KYB is better"

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Care to post where that was said?

I have experience with all three brands. Monroes are too soft, handling suffers, they give a boat ride feeling. KYBs, I have them installed on two of our vehicles, great handling, they are a bit firm, nothing annoying. I believe Gabriel's quality is about the same as KYB, they ride a tad softer, handling is about the same and you don't feel as many bumps compared to KYBs.

[O_loung1]

that was pmesfun in response to me as to whether tokico blues were stiffer then kyb.

Gabriel Ultra Struts Review

ive had tokico blue shocks for about 1500 miles now and i think they are harder then stock,
but not too firm. but with the stock 15" alloys, this car still feels a little soft from the extra sidewall.

[bgmbgmbgm]

KYB Strut Plus is great but a bit pricey.

If you decide on Monroe, consider Raybestos: they are rebranded Monroe quick struts but cost less.

Monroe also makes a cheaper line of quick struts called Econo-matic. They use a Monro-matic strut instead of Sensatrac/OESpectrum.

Gabriel ReadyMount is another option.

I don't know that much about Moog quick struts.

If you want performance, Vogtland makes a suspension kit that lowers the car 35mm.

Avoid off-brand junk like Leacree, Dura Intl/Pro/Pronto/IAP, etc. They only last about 10000 miles.

If you're willing to spend the extra money on KYB go with that. My second choice is Raybestos. Sometimes Monroe, Raybestos, and/or Gabriel will have rebate specials; watch for those. You really can't go wrong as long as you choose a reputable name brand and not cheap Leacree junk.

I wish they made KYB quick struts for the 3rd-gen!

[retiredat44]

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I'd go with Gabriel Ultra, perfect compromise between comfort and handling. I got mine from Auto Zone with Lifetime Warranty for $107 after $20OFF coupon.

I put Gabriels on my 1989 Corolla SR5 about 150,000 miles back.. and they are doing very well, they are pretty stiff the first couple years.. then mellow a bit.. and are built very strong.. I kept the stock springs.

[SilverSoarer]

What about chinese sensen struts (oem to vw/audi) ? - they are 1/2 the price of kyb and use the same NOK seals.

[bolink654]

I know eBay parts of unknown manufacture are typically taboo, but I've been trying lots of this chinese crap from eBay and have so far been impressed. Have I gotten bad parts/parts that dont last? Yes. But at the cost, I've still come out ahead. That said, I put on quickstruts made by http://www.fcsautoparts.com/index/ bought from http://www.ebay.com/itm/190712719992...84.m1497.l2649

Though I only have like 750 miles on em, I'm happy even if they only last like 100k, at the price.

[tedmich]

Autozone has Gabriel rebate that puts total price for 4 at about $270 delivered, although its just insert/housing for fronts on my 93, as they don't sell a quickmounts...

http://econtent.autozone.com:24999/z.../en_US/442.pdf

A Gen 4 can get 4 quickmounts for about $390 delivered after $125 rebate and $90 gift card

there are some hints that Gabriel longevity /quality may be going down as they have to compete price wise with Monroe and thus cut the same corners... My year Gabriels also go on Avalons and I've seen at least one (recent!) post that they only lasted 5000k in that heavier application. It takes about 2-5 years before a marked decrease in quality registers at the consumer level and by then the execs are off to their next gig, caveat emptor!

[SilverSoarer]

Originally Posted by tedmich

Autozone has Gabriel rebate that puts total price for 4 at about $270 delivered, although its just insert/housing for fronts on my 93, as they don't sell a quickmounts...

http://econtent.autozone.com:24999/z.../en_US/442.pdf

A Gen 4 can get 4 quickmounts for about $390 delivered after $125 rebate and $90 gift card

there are some hints that Gabriel longevity /quality may be going down as they have to compete price wise with Monroe and thus cut the same corners... My year Gabriels also go on Avalons and I've seen at least one (recent!) post that they only lasted 5000k in that heavier application. It takes about 2-5 years before a marked decrease in quality registers at the consumer level and by then the execs are off to their next gig, caveat emptor!

That's why anything engineering, scientific, or technical is leaving or has already left the US for China-- the MBAs will chase the bottom dollar...even if it destroys the economy...

[dwebb01]

The Camry has KYB's. They were a bit stiff at first, but after 1000 miles they feel fine. Stiffer than stock, but more controlled and the ride doesn't beat you up. Same with the Avalon. If it were me, i'd go KYB.

['93CamryGuy]

Anyone know anything about the Moog complete strut assemblies?... like who manufactures the struts used in the assemblies since Moog doesn't offer individual struts. Soft/firm? Can't find any user experiences on them.