FAQ: Shocks & Struts Options

The KYB mounts I used lasted over 100k miles. Guess what I used the 2nd time around?

It's an autozone part so it's there general limited lifetime. They basically take everything back so is this a no brainer?

I see "limited lifetime" warranty mentioned on autozone site. Reading further, I'm not sure it's quite what you think? How can Autozone stay in business if they'll warranty any repair part at any time after the sale? If they fail after 5 years, due to normal wear and tear, I have my doubts they'd be covered.

I will admit, I have done very little business with AZ over the years. I have shopped them, but always find myself back at local NAPA stores instead.

The bigger question in my mind - will you be willing to remove the struts and replace them if the bearings fail, even if they're provided for free? At that time, might you want to replace the struts, too? My mounts were doing fine when I replaced them, but after 100k miles, I felt the need for fresh parts. I replaced the struts with new ones as well. I paid for all of these parts, because they performed their jobs well over a long life. The KYB parts will last. We do not know how long the Duralast parts last.

werdstrave wrote:

It's an autozone part so it's there general limited lifetime. They basically take everything back so is this a no brainer?

I have had several parts for AZ and advance go bad prematurely. I have not, however used their mounts.
1.I bought a crank pulley from advance and within 6mo the metal center cracked shearing the crank key and made for 5 days of hell and headache. never buying that part from anywhere but gm.
2. bought "lifetime" rotors from AZ and had them warped and heat cracked within 3 months. Hawk pads generate a lot of heat and i drive hard, but i did not do any track runs. They would not give me my money back for them bc the manager said i used them "off road" (which wasnt true.)
3. i do a lot of side mechanic work for friends and i will not even but AZ/advance parts for their cars.

Only business i give AZ if to buy items like wax and name brand products i know.
maybe i'm biased, but im just speaking from personal experience with their parts line.

oh, and i used monroe top mounts b/c they came with top washers.

I would not use Duralast anything in an important part, especially like strut mounts. Don't do it. Unless you like repeating your work, which is worth much more than their "free replacement".

werdstrave wrote:

I know how you guys like your KYB products but.....what would you recommend for strut mounts given the following information?

KYB SM5286- $66.98 w/ 1 year warranty

or

Duralast 142411- $77.99 w/ Lifetime warranty


The warranty is kind of pushing me to the Duralast but I wanted to ask first.

...neither, I'd get the Monroe Strut-Mate mounts. They come with all the odd hardware you might need to replace (including bearing) and an 800 number to call for assistance if you needed it (which you probably don't)

Albert,

What is the difference between:

Monroe Strut-Mate Mounting Kit 902930 and
Monroe Strut-Mate Mounting Kit 903973?

One is clearly cheaper than the other. I'm getting clicking on slow turns and I'm pretty sure it's the strut mount bearing. Which kit should I get?

They both fit 95-97. The 902930 is the strut mount and the 903973 is the coil spring seat and isolator. Not the same part.

Ok. I've had the clicking and popping going on for about 8 months. Do you think any other parts have worn? I am currently going to replace the strut with the KYB-GR2s and the mounts with these monroe mounts. Should I replace anything else?

That's all I did with mine was replace the strut and the mount.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

They both fit 95-97. The 902930 is the strut mount and the 903973 is the coil spring seat and isolator. Not the same part.

Be sure to look at the photos on rockauto.com - odds are your coilspring seat is fine but the isolator is squarshed, or at least has taken a set from the constant pressure of the spring. 903973 is not that pricey, so you may want to get it just to get the replacement isolator and just in case you discover a problem with the spring seats you already have.

Albertj

Just reached my finger in the suspension and could feel the current isolator flaking off. I just modified my order to include the new isolators. Good lookin out!

werdstrave wrote:

Just reached my finger in the suspension and could feel the current isolator flaking off. I just modified my order to include the new isolators. Good lookin out!

Yeah, you can't control weathering or deterioration and it's cheaper to get them and not need them (can post in the For Sale section and wait for a buyer) than it is to not get them and need them (your struts are apart and you're sitting in the garage wondering what to do now 'cause the old parts crumbled on dis-assembly). Myself, I've never had a failed isolator, the OE isolators were pretty good stuff. But I replaced mine on my '98 with parts from a Monroe kit when I put on my KYB struts. They had flattened a bit.

So, you're welcome of course.

Albertj

I'm ordering Monroe MA822 because my shocks are leaking. Anyone in the market for new rear shocks should check out autopartstomorrow.com they have a good deal of $49.12. Free shipping with orders of $50 so i added in the hose kit for about $6. Just thought i would post this because i thought it was a good deal.
Here's the link.
http://www.autopartstomorrow.com/part_numbers/269835-rear-max-air

Do you happen to know which shocks i would buy for a direct fit? And where to get them?

The ones that seem to be the most trusted (and the ones I have one my Bonneville SSEi) are the Monroe MA822.

Snag them at www.rockauto.com. Good price and quick shipping.

Thanks!

The Roadmaster wrote:

BTW, I bought my Monroes from this guy ... FREE SHIPPING ... $61.99 for the pair and he shipped FAST.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/280822427545?item=280822427545&viewitem=&vxp=mtr

Roadmaster, thank you for the link. I bought a pair from that link and they were delivered to my house in just two days... pretty incredible. I just got done doing a test drive with the new MA822's on and wow, I feel like I'm driving a new car, with the combination of the Caddy STB and the shocks. The ride is somewhat stiff, but that will probably wane away over time. I was getting a pretty horrible shake and wobble when at high speeds on the highway, but after installing the shocks and STB, I can't even remember how the shake used to feel.

Happy to help ZEP. Those guys are awesome. Never expected such fast shipping.

And you're right about the feel. I went through a drainage trough (dip) at 40 MPH and the rear just floated nicely through it. No noise, no clunk, just float.

I am fortunate that the compressor didn't burn out with the shape the old shocks were in.

im seeing that kyb makes rear airshocks for our cars.. anyrecommendations or stick to monroes

I suppose they are good product, not sure. Their front struts are very good, IMO. If you're sure they fit your car, worth a try. Don't know if anyone else here has tried them.

They didn't use to make them... will have to take a look. Though I already have a 2nd new set of Monroes in the garage.

SR1002 from KYB. Summit sells the pair for $89.

1998 Riv wrote:

They didn't use to make them... will have to take a look. Though I already have a 2nd new set of Monroes in the garage.

I just got a set of the KYBs from CarQuest and plan to report.

The pic of the Sachs on the RockAuto site look like the OE Delcos and the Gabriels.

The KYBs don't look like anything else, they look similar to the Monroes.

Just for grins look up p/n 19257784, which should fit, look them up on Amazon you will find a pair for about $140. With the mounts attached. I think this is the best bet, I would a got them except I already have a pair of new mounts I bought closeout NOS and a pair of KYBs from CarQuest was about $85. Putting them on now.

What did Carquest charge for the KYB's? I can get them at $82 + shipping. I'm still going to install the new Monroes again, since I have them already.