Gabriel vs. Monroe shocks?

[skynet1988]

Hey guys, got a question for ya. What brand of struts do you use as replacements in your cars? My shocks have 160k on them so it is time to replace. I want to get a replacement strut that would give me good dampening but at the same time not be too loose for autocross or too stiff and bust in pothole infested Chicago. I am either leaning toward the Monroe SensaTrac or a set of Gabriels because they come pre-assembled with new mounting hardware and spring. What do you guys think?

[Jack Deth]

i just put in sensatracs. definitely not a "soft" ride. the car corners well and the tires hold the road well. but it still doesn't ride as well as my 90 t-bird did. i'm spoiled, i guess.

[johnsons63]

Originally Posted by skynet1988

Hey guys, got a question for ya. What brand of struts do you use as replacements in your cars? My shocks have 160k on them so it is time to replace. I want to get a replacement strut that would give me good dampening but at the same time not be too loose for autocross or too stiff and bust in pothole infested Chicago. I am either leaning toward the Monroe SensaTrac or a set of Gabriels because they come pre-assembled with new mounting hardware and spring. What do you guys think?

i've read a few negative comments about monroe shocks they said that it rides hard. Some shocks that they have recommended are Gabriel, Rancho and Bilsteins you can try it if you want...
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If everything comes your way, you are in the wrong lane.

[avalonian98]

i've read dozens of comments on this forum about suspension parts...particularly struts and there doesn't seem to be any good choices if you DON'T want to lower. "kyb suck", "monroe stink", "gabriel are awful", etc. etc. i know that everybody has their opinions and it isn't likely everybody will be in agreement on 'the best' strut replacement option that gives you a damn good riding car. however, you'd think the many avalon owners who have replaced struts would come to agree on something.

i've got a 98 (with 60,000 mi.) that is in need of front struts, mounts, and all that's associated with strut related parts. it also needs end links and stabilizer bar bushings. i'm really not comfortable with any of my choices. people are ALL over the map. i'm even willing to replace the springs to make this thing ride and handle like a million bucks. guess i'm stuck with monroe quick struts. hmmmmmm

[NRecob]

Dumb question: if all the options suck (and I used to hear Bilsteins and KYB's were good) why not just use OEM Toyota struts etc? Am I missing something? If so, I'd like to know as I'm gonna be in the market for some struts once the weather gets better.....

[avalonian98]

i have absolutely NO first hand experience about struts for gen 1 avalon but i've done quite a bit of reading/research and the best i'm getting is this: bilsteins are NOT available for the gen 1 avalon. (i think i wish they were because i've got a good feeling about them). second, after reading many posts about kyb's....it seems they are fairly well received but a little firm or stiff??? also, from what i'm gathering, i believe i'll be installing Moog strut mounts. jigg seemed to indicate he went with some "el-cheapo's" and had regrets that he didn't use Moog mounts. For me (so far), I think i'll be using kyb struts and moog mounts (complete with bearing)...and i might even install some new moog springs. mind you, i'm only doing the fronts. i'm not inclined to use the "oem" stuff (whatever brand(s) that is.

i'm still waiting for someone to tell me there's a better option than the kyb's w/ moog mounts without doing the lowering thing. i know i could do the "quick struts" (complete with springs/etc/etc but i'm thinking i'd be sorry for using gabriel or monroe. but, who knows?????????? certainly not me!

[fourwheeler]

If money is not a factor, I would agree with your plan and to make sure I replaced the upper and lower spring isolators as well.

For me, money is often tight. I will probably use the Monroe quick strut, it comes as a complete assembly with all new parts. I installed them on my wife's minivan and they work fairly well. Certainly an improvement over the stock OEM's after 130K miles.

This advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

[denverdog]

kyb gr-2 struts are the oem strut. i'm also onthe ls400 forum of clublexus and if you aren't lowering your car, the near-universal recommendation there is the kybs.

[bob2]

i used gabriel "safety struts" (all new, pre-assembled).

year later - no complaints. they have gotten a lot better with the miles were a bit stiff but now jusssst right.

[American Pie]

We bought our car about a year ago and I noticed it has Monroe shocks front and rear. The car has 180K on it and it rides/handles pretty well. It also has a nice stance (no sagging) so I was wondering if the P.O. installed the Monroe quick struts which includes new springs. However the records indicate that only the shocks were changed, and the price paid seems about right for shocks only. I still think someone must have changed the springs at some point. Anyway, I'm pretty happy with the Monroes that are in there.

[bob2]

when i bought shocks monroe had discontinued quick struts.

[denverdog]

just had kybs p;ut on the front of my '98 xls. handling is greatly improved, as is the ride.