2003 Struts

[MasterTecInSTL]

So I see a listing at Rock auto for "Sensen" brand struts for $35.79 each plus $16.49 shipping for both (for a total of $88.07 for the pair).

That's a pretty good price for a pair of front struts on this. The question is - should I let my "cheap" side out and take one for the team? Or should I just not waste my time because they'll blow out after a few days?

Hrmm.. decisions decisions...

EDIT: Apparently a place called APXAutoParts has a complete set with both front and both rear struts for $189 with free shipping. These are those "Sensen" struts so if you're on a budget it looks like a good deal - assuming the struts aren't completely junk. They do come with a lifetime warranty though for what that's worth!

[SuperchargedMR2]

Why not speed a little more for a brand you can trust that you know the quality is good?

[MasterTecInSTL]

Because I'm cheap! And we're talking about a couple hundred dollars difference here. It's all probably made in china anyway!

[invader]

Yeah, you'll have a hard time finding superior quality struts that are not assembled in China, Africa, Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, or assembled in USA with foreign parts, even if you go with KYB, Monroe, Tokico, etc... More parts are made in China now, and even trusted brands of any auto parts are switching to cheaper Chinese contracts.

Sensen struts have Japanese made NOK seals, and are covered by a lifetime warranty.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3290301

Zhejiang Sensen Auto Parts Co., Ltd.(China) was established in 1985. As a professional auto shock absorber manufacturer and exporter, SENSEN has developed into a company which integrates research, production and sales of shock absorbers, with an annual production capacity of 7 million pieces, covering close to 5500 items. SENSEN supplies OEM and aftermarket all over the world, including Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Middle East, and Australia. The quality system is certified by ISO9001: 2000, and ISO/TS 16949:2002.

http://www.sensenshocks.com/en/?id0=1

I got a high quality Toyota hat through Ebay from Hong Kong. Tag proudly states "Made in USA".

[invader]

http://www.nok.com.sg/rodseals.aspx

It looks like NOK Japan seals are made by German based Merkel.

http://www.merkel-freudenberg.de/en/...uns/ueber-uns/

[Bob Shiftright]

I've purchased aftermarket Chinese parts for my Volvo (yes, I know Volvo is owned by the Chinese now!), and I was unimpressed by the quality.

It's one thing if a worldwide brand like Apple computer is assembling product in China and another if the part is produced completely under the control of a Chinese company. The quality may be good, or it may not be. I have no way of knowing in advance. It's complicated and labor-intensive enough to replace struts that for a few bucks I wouldn't take the chance.

For a light bulb, I might take the chance!

[extreme one]

Originally Posted by MasterTecInSTL

So I see a listing at Rock auto for "Sensen" brand struts for $35.79 each plus $16.49 shipping for both (for a total of $88.07 for the pair).

That's a pretty good price for a pair of front struts on this. The question is - should I let my "cheap" side out and take one for the team? Or should I just not waste my time because they'll blow out after a few days?

Hrmm.. decisions decisions...

EDIT: Apparently a place called APXAutoParts has a complete set with both front and both rear struts for $189 with free shipping. These are those "Sensen" struts so if you're on a budget it looks like a good deal - assuming the struts aren't completely junk. They do come with a lifetime warranty though for what that's worth!

I would get the High Quality Struts. Let me tell you why. I had a 89 cadillac seville that needed a water pump. I cheaped out and got one for 59.00 dollars with a lifetime warranty. My shop charged me $325.00 to install it cause the have to jack up the motor to install it. I heard its a real PITA to do. Anyway exactly 1 year later the damn rebuilt started leaking. I got a new rebuilt free from autozone and was happy until I called my repair shop. It was now $400.00 Labor to install. Like I said 40 years of car ownership has taught this ole boy alot. I got a honda st1100 motorcycle that uses a special headlight bulb. Its lasted me 12 years so far. The replacement bulb is 28.00 dollars and I'm going with the $28.00 OEM bulb since its a real pita to replace.

[jmazz77]

I would spend the extra $$ for the better parts. Unless you like to do jobs over again for a prematurely failed part. I've learned my lesson over the years and I will pay for quality parts and save on the labor by doing the work myself.
Especially shocks/struts.. I've gotten the cheap monroe's & gabriel's in the past and shortly after regretted it and cost me more $$ in the long run to do it over with good parts.

I don't know if Monroe makes it for the car you are looking to repair, but the "Quick Struts" are awesome and save a ton of time. They are pricey, but you save in labor so it balances out. Don't need a spring compressor either. I had a '98 Ford Windstar a few years ago. Replaced the front struts with the cheapo monroes. 10k miles later they were shot. I did the whole unit with the "Quick Strut" and vowed to only do it that way for now on.

[GREENPUS]

as stated, lifetime warranty don't mean anything. I"d stay away from anything made in china. Products from brazil, japan, germany, mexico are usually top notch but anything made is china is normally crap.

[MasterTecInSTL]

Well it takes me about 30 minutes per axle to do struts on this car - including compressing the spring so this is not what I consider to be a "labor intensive operation".

I'll let you know if I pull the trigger on these after the Christmas season. I probably will.

[endofmankind]

I have learned my lesson over the years of repairing cars. i don't you cheap parts because you get what you paid for. In the long run, you end up paying more because you have to buy new struts to replace the P.O.S. struts. I try to go with eom or name brand (eventhough that are made in china) at least they have a quality control to met.

[SuperchargedMR2]

Originally Posted by endofmankind

I have learned my lesson over the years of repairing cars. i don't you cheap parts because you get what you paid for. In the long run, you end up paying more because you have to buy new struts to replace the P.O.S. struts. I try to go with eom or name brand (eventhough that are made in china) at least they have a quality control to met.

+1

[invader]

http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/ind...howtopic=27665

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...2#post20975102

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/3-s...uts-71693.html

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-f...r-135-a-2.html

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...px-auto-74702/

[MasterTecInSTL]

Originally Posted by invader

http://www.elantraclub.com/forum/ind...howtopic=27665

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...2#post20975102

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/3-s...uts-71693.html

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-f...r-135-a-2.html

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...px-auto-74702/

It's nice to see some real anecdotal evidence here instead of the general "It's made in China and I've never heard of it therefore it must be junk!" attitude. Actually those threads seem to contain generally good news about their performance. I don't think they've been sold here in the US long enough to get any kind of longevity reports but the same would be true with any new product out on the market.

While I can completely understand the skepticism involved the truth is that somebody has to take the plunge. The price definitely seems "too good to be true" for a quality part but then again I doubt they have the marketing and advertising budgets to pay for like the more known brands have. Also you know they get their labor dirt cheap!

I was looking at Sensen's website and they are a legitimate company that makes shocks and struts. They've been around for over 25 years and don't really appear to be any different than other shock & strut companies out there. They have a complete catalog and make a wide range of products so I don't think they are in business to sell "cheap knock-off junk" to make a quick buck here in the US.

With that in mind if they can build a quality product and still beat the pricing of other brands over here then why wouldn't they want to? They just want to make money like everyone else and word-of-mouth advertising is just as important to them than other shock & strut companies... if not more so!

I'll probably pull the trigger on these after the holiday season. The more I read about them the more I actually like them.

[Davezx6r]

I literally just pulled the trigger on a full set for my fiances camry. Shes been driving on blown struts for over a year so they can't be worse than that. Also at 200k we'll be looking at replacing the car probably before they end up blowing. I read all those posts that were linked above before i ordered and i found more positive than anything else. I may just end up plunking down for a set myself in the mean time. I'll post up thoughts in a week or so when they come in.

"edit" lol first post. Btw I'm new here, hi everyone.