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O.K. fellow BB;s. I just got the bad news from my Indy mechanic that I need new front struts and I was wondering if anyone can say something good about Monroe struts. They would save me about $100 on the pair vs. the Boge's.
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posted by
someone claiming to be Mr. Norm.
on
Tue Apr 26 08:57 CST 2005 [ RELATED]
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I have read numerous other posts labeling the Monroe as pos, which concurs with my experience. Do the OEM or get some Bilsteins. $$ upfront but a lifetime warranty. Since my OEM struts were toast at 60k, the Bilstein is cheeper in the long run.
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If you like to save money like me go with the Monroes.
I'll tell you my story. I needed new upper front strut mounts in my V70 and my indie quoted me $350, alignment included, with me providing the parts. That sounded like a lot of dough to me just for mounts installation.
My local Sears had the Monroe sensa-trac struts for sale $99 each installed. I asked the service manager if they would install the mounts for me, and he said YES, no extra charge. So for $250, alignment included, I had my mounts installed and I ended up with new front struts in the end.
I am happy with my choice, ride is soft and confortable, which is what I was looking for. The car's ride now is better that with the old OEM struts.
Whatever brand you decide on, replace the rubber strut mounts.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 John, Tampa Bay
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John:
I am like you and want to save some dough. I replaced the rubebr strut mounts
about a year ago without replacing the struts at that time due to some noise
I thought was the mounts. Now I need to do the struts but do you
think I can get away without replacing the mounts again so soon?
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the strut mounts are good for 70K miles, so you don't need to replace them.
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 -John, Tampa Bay
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Your local indie sounds a little on the high side. I always recommend running factory parts and I only provide warranties with factory parts. Case in point, one of my regular customers decided they would save a few bucks and have the tire store hang a set of Monroes. After hanging the Monroes (not to mention that they didn't replace the spring seats either, what a bargain huh?)anytime the vehicle was at idle the whole L.F. fender would buzz like a hornet. After much inspection and diagnosis I finally threw my hands up in the air and said get those garbage Monroe struts out! I told them that I would stuff in the correct Boges and that they could drive it for a week to evaluate it and if the problem was cured then stop by and take care of their bill and if not then I would reinstall their Monroes at no cost to them and we would continue diagnosing it. Needless to say they came back in a week or two happy as could be and took care of their bill. Spend a little more money and install the correct factory shocks and replace the spring seats.
Mark
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Mark:
From the other posts here it reads as though you work for a Volvo dealer.
That is great and I also value your opinion but some of us who love the
safety and great design of the 850, cannot always afford to take it to the dealer everytime an issue arises.
It sounds from your post that it wasn't so much the Monroe's that were the
issue but the fact that the tire store mechanic failed to replace the spring seats. My car has NEVER seen the inside of a Pep Boys or any other tire store.
In my Indie, I trust. All others pay cash.
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Well, actually I have spent a lot of years in dealerships but I have been running my own independent Volvo repair for the past 6 years.
Nope, not spring seats causing the buzz. With the vehicle at idle, in gear, foot on the brake going 0 MPH the entire left front fender would buzz like a hornet. If you reached up inside the wheel well a put your hand on the spring it was the obvious culprit. The spring seats were not what you would call blown out, but they had started to tear out on both sides. In talking to fellow Volvos techs I found a few that said they had run across it and one of them said that the one he'd seen in fact had a brand new set of Monroes on it. Coincidence? I think not. I even tried insulating the springs with a coil and a halfs worth of rubber hose as this was mentioned in a Volvo master tech note and it fixed the car for almost 10 whole days. I stuffed in the Boges probably 8-10 months ago and all is well.
Tire stores I find to be a necessary evil. I do not have nor do I want the area to stock tires and the prerequisite equipment to handle it.
I hear you about the expense of a dealership, but dammit somebody has to pay for that over head, right? Just kidding. Look at the second post in this thread, that guys indy wanted $350.00 in labor for two struts and align! Ouch, I would've charged 2 hours for the struts (140.00) and another 1.5 for the 4 wheel align (105.00), that is $100.00 less. Looks like his indy is charging somewhere in the area of $100.00 an hour. Good for them if they can get it. I know there is one that is maybe 5 miles from my front door that charges 99.00 per hour and is the biggest indy around.
Mark
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Mark:
I am about to redo the front end on my project car, 94 855. Seems to sit very low and wonder about replacing springs at the same time. I am not a fan of low riding as the scraping sounds irritate. Also was thinking of Bilstein HD's as I like a firm controlled ride. Any suggestions appreciated.
dick
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If it is sitting too low you may want to replace the springs. I have not seen a set of factory 850 springs sag like the old 240's were prone to doing but there is a first time for everything. I have had excellent results with the IPD overloads in both the 700 and 200 series cars. I would take a look at what they have to offer. I recently put in a full set of Eibach springs and Bilstein shocks in a customers car. He was going for more of a lowered look and a stiffer ride. If my memory serves me correctly I think he was doing it on a recommendation from IPD. Anyhow it seemed to have worked out choice, his car was an '01 V70. If you are looking for a firmer ride the Bilsteins should provide that for you. As an aside, I had a need to call Eibach for a little customer support on their product and they were prompt, courteous, and knowledgeable.
Mark
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Thanks, Mark. Perhaps the spring seats are pulverized and causing a lowering. Anyway, it does need help as it wallows. I have played with Volvo's since '67 and this is my first FWD, in fact I swore never to get a FWD Volvo, but son and son-in-law convinced me to try them. Having fun so far---
dick
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I enjoy reading your posts and have learned from your expertise as a volvo master tech over the years, BUT I have to disagree with you on this one.
The Monroe sensa-trac are not the "cheap" monroe struts you read about, these are decent struts and come with life warranty. Heck they even comes as OEM in the S40 volvos.
Regards
--
'88 240, '92 745, '98 v70 -John, Tampa Bay
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John,
Yes, that kind of blew my mind when I saw the Monroe label hanging underneath a Volvo fender! I have no doubt that Monroe has the ability to make a good strut and if they are making them to factory Volvo specs then I am doubly assured that they are ok. However, being a product of the dealership circuit until I see a reason to deviate from the factory parts I am going to go with original equipment. How long do boge shocks last? I can't tell you how many 200 series cars are out there that probably went to their grave with the originals in them. I have been known to change mine out because I felt bad. I mean good god at 200K they have to be bad right, even though they handle fine and the tires are wearing fine and they still soak up a rough road like they used to. That being said I know that Boges are some fine stuff and if they cost a little bit more then I feel that they are worth it.
Not that there is not a case for aftermarket parts on Volvos. Lord knows I install enough urethane bushings and Nissen metal radiators in earlier red engine cars. But if it works, like Bosch injection/ignition parts and Boge struts and shocks, then why change it?
Regards,
Mark
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