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 Post subject: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 11:18 am 
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I have 171k miles on my KJ and the shocks and struts are.....well rough. So as soon as the weather warms up, I'll be underneath replacing them. Pep Boys has a special on Monroe shocks and struts until April 1st. But I'm not sure what the difference is between the Sensa-Trac and the Monro-Matic Plus. I get the Monro-Matic is the more budget line. But is there a huge difference in ride quality and performance to warrant getting the premium Sensa-Tracs? Is there a reliability difference? What are people's experience with these two?

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 1:19 pm 
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If you can, Bilstein Shocks are very good shocks for the Jeep as proven by many members on LOST. :wink:

This is a good place to purchase them as well as other shock brands including Monroe:
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Feb 28, 2018 2:19 pm 
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I've never been a fan of Monroe shocks.
But one of the nice things is that you can get the "quick struts" where the shock and spring come pre-assembled. Which makes it super easy if you intend to do it yourself.

If you want the best, get Bilstein 24-139168 for the front ($92 each on amazon)

Last time I did my front shocks I went with Gabriel G51728 and have been pleased.

If you absolutely have to go with Monroe, get the sensa-trac.

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 6:05 pm 
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Thanks for the response guys. Helpful as always :) Kinda where my mind was at, and why I was going to go with Monroe, is because with 171k miles, I'm not sure how much longer my Libby is going to last so I feel a little reluctant about going premium. But I do take care of my Jeep and try to stay up on the maintenance as much as possible. She hasn't given me any reason to think she might be going anytime soon. And I went on a road trip a few months ago with zero issues :D

I'm doing the rear shocks myself but gonna have a mechanic do the struts. But, seeing those Bilsteins, I'm extremely tempted and full disclosure, leaning towards them ;) And they aren't much more and I'd rather pay more for quality and a better ride. I also love the look of them and with my black Libby with the yellow shocks showing, that is a nice look. And for a little more and get a better driving experience, I might just have to, lol. A set of 4 Monroes will come to shy of 300 where as I get these for 360. For 60 bucks more, why not.

Now, when I have a mechanic do the front struts, do they reuse the old spring? Does the Bilstein kit come with new mounting brackets? Or do mechanics just typically use the old ones?

Thanks guys!

EDIT: Scratch that. I found a set of all 4 for $328 and Prime shipping! Are these the correct ones?
https://www.amazon.com/Bilstein-replace ... ep+liberty

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Sun Mar 04, 2018 10:45 pm 
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Great that you are upgrading to a better shock! :wink:

Unless you are changing springs, they will reuse your springs, mounting plates etc...
The only thing that is changed is the shock assembly itself.

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 12:14 am 
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WWDiesel wrote:
Great that you are upgrading to a better shock! :wink:

Unless you are changing springs, they will reuse your springs, mounting plates etc...
The only thing that is changed is the shock assembly itself.


Awesome. Thanks! Fingers crossed they're still in good shape after 12 years.

That link I posted from Amazon are the correct parts, right?

After I get this done, then I need to replace the glass supports in the back (tired of getting beaned in the head whenever I try to load something in the back), fix my shifter and replace my spark plugs (they fire fine, just have been in for a while. And at 12 bucks for NGKs, why the hell not?) and PCV hose (noticed it was not in the best shape when I changed my PCV valve a couple weeks ago). Then I should be good for a while. Either way, I'll post a follow up :)

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Mon Mar 05, 2018 12:43 am 
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Yes, those are the correct part numbers. :wink:

Part Number Position Qty
24-139168 Front 1
24-139175 Rear 1

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Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited :JEEPIN:
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount

98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve


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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 5:30 am 
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Another vote for Bilsteins. A bit pricey but can improve ride quality and handling.


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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Tue Mar 06, 2018 11:41 am 
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I heard a lot of good things about Bilstein, might try them in about 10k miles.


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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 7:53 pm 
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If you do not replace the springs and shocks not even worth doing
Weak springs will wear out the new shocks a lot quicker

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:52 am 
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Man. I never thought that getting struts put on was such a p.i.t.a. I bought the parts and took it to a shop. I called them ahead of time to make sure they can do the job. They were like "oh yeah, we can compress the spring and put it on, no problem." Woke up early and dropped my Jeep off right when they opened. They called an hour later and said "yeah, we don't have a spring compressor small enough to do the job. You'll need to pick up your car". What's funny, is before that, they called before that and said that I gave them the rear shocks and they need me to drop off the fronts. I was holding the rear shocks in my hand on the phone with them, lol. A flag went up and I knew this wasn't going to end well. Annoyed, I contacted a mechanic I've known for years, and in retrospect, should have contacted him first. Asked if he could compress the spring and he too said he's not tooled for it and I should find a speed shop. Man, I thought this was a straightforward job. I don't want to have to return the Bilsteins. Any advice guys and gals?

EDIT: Called a couple shops for estimates. One wanted 620 to just put the parts on. Seemed very overpriced to me, considering another shop quoted me less with parts included (Monroes) when I first decided this job needed to be done. So found a very well reviewed mechanic down the street from me. They said 250-275 with an alignment included. They said they'll need the car all day due to their current workload. Fair enough. I can borrow a car which isn't a big deal.

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 10:50 am 
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Any shop that has a decent spring compressor similar to the one pictured below should be able to perform the job. :juggle:
It is no different than many other vehicles on the road today! :roll:

Image

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 11:09 am 
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WWDiesel wrote:
Any shop that has a decent spring compressor similar to the one pictured below should be able to perform the job. :juggle:
It is no different than many other vehicles on the road today! :roll:

Image


That's what I thought! I figured it was pretty standard. It seems like a lot of shops do the easy route and just put in the Quick Struts. At least the chains do it seems. Last time I go to one. Full disclosure, I went to Mavis. Normally I avoid those chains unless I get a good deal on tires (even then, I have a fantastic story about Pep Boys putting on my tires if you care to hear it :) ) and usually go to small reputable mechanics. But a good friend of mine is a mechanic there and he's good with cars so figured I'd give it a shot. Lesson learned :) If this new shop I found does a good job on my struts, they're my new mechanic.

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 11:33 am 
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I took my "struts" off and brought them to nearby TireKingdom along with my new shocks and OME 790 springs. They did the swap for under $100.
The tech said those OME springs were really stiff and almost too much for their spring compressor. But he got the job done.

Reinstalled the new "struts" myself without any issue. Just had to go back for an alignment.

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 6:43 pm 
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Be lots better off going with OME springs and at least Bilstein shocks all around.
I have a full set of Monroe springs and shocks laying in my shop. Been around for over two years , rode like crap for the guy I installed them for. Tried to warn him, ran them a week and we did full OME upgrade

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03 OVERLAND EDITION /Kilby-Skidrow-Mopar-4XGuard skids/ 2.5 inch TOTAL CONTROL JBA coilovers -JBA Arms/MOABS-31 FALKEN WILDPEAK AT3W / 4.10's etc, 04 Kilimanjaro Edition loaded, plus 05 KJ limited


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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:40 am 
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Just an update. Finally got them in. Gotta say, what a difference. Glad I asked you guys first before making a purchase I'd regret. I'm loving the front struts. It's going to be a nice weekend in my state so I figured I'd kick off the spring and enjoy the 80 degree weather by putting in the rear shocks. Perhaps go crazy too and change out the spark plugs? :-)r

Also, really happy with the mechanic I went to. I moved a year ago and have been looking for a mechanic to do the things I can't do or not tooled for. This guy was highly rated online and was down the street from me. When I walked into the shop, I was impressed. Custom and classic cars were there, shop was spotless and he was well equipped. He obviously took huge pride in his business. Best of all too, he did the install for 200, less than he quoted me. I think I found my new mechanic ;)

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 Post subject: Re: Monroe shocks and struts. What's the difference?
PostPosted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 10:04 am 
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Glad you finally got er done!
Happy trails.... :JEEPIN:

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Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited :JEEPIN:
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount

98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve


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