Monroe - Quick-Strut Complete Strut Assembly

AA wrote:

Make sure your tire pressures are consistent. If that's not the issue, I would take your car back to the alignment shop and ask them to correct it. Struts shouldn't cause a pull.

they might have installed the strut bearings (those big plastic donuts) upside down... there is a thread on this somewhere...

charlieRobinson wrote:

Ok. So should I go with the Moogs or get those STS Eibach lowering springs? Monroe is buying. Kind of a joke, but not really!

Personally I would get the correct spring from GM, since we've seen how the aftermarket has lumped the PA and Riv together... or else see in the listings that PA and Riv has different part numbers!!!

They used to be so specific on springs they would need to know, for example, which engine was installed, whether or not the car had AC, etc. For the Riv the only question would be SC or not - because that would change the front end weight a little bit. I would be willing to bet GM has different part numbers for the SC vs NA motors... so bring your VIN to the dealer.

deekster_caddy wrote:

charlieRobinson wrote:

Ok. So should I go with the Moogs or get those STS Eibach lowering springs? Monroe is buying. Kind of a joke, but not really!

Personally I would get the correct spring from GM, since we've seen how the aftermarket has lumped the PA and Riv together... or else see in the listings that PA and Riv has different part numbers!!!

They used to be so specific on springs they would need to know, for example, which engine was installed, whether or not the car had AC, etc. For the Riv the only question would be SC or not - because that would change the front end weight a little bit. I would be willing to bet GM has different part numbers for the SC vs NA motors... so bring your VIN to the dealer.

Good point. Every spring listed for the Riv at Rockauto is also listed for another car. And we all know, one spring does NOT fit all. I will check with the dealer and see what they can do.

Here's what a Riv looks like with Monroe quick struts after sitting on the springs for 3 weeks. (on the right) Normal Riv stance on OEMs on the left.

With added clarity:

Doesn't look like the Moog springs made much of a difference. At least it drives better now.

I was going to say it, but you've been through a lot already.

If I ever replace my springs for the STS lowering kit, which I currently have no plans of doing, you will get my stock springs, I promise!

Maybe mine is at OEM specs and the other car is what a sagging 13 year old OEM suspension looks like?

But for real, my ride is so much better now. I have my traction back and the stance is balanced. I am satisfied, for now...

I would still like a full set of those STS relic springs.

The older Riv looks correct. You can tell the wheel arch is concentric with the outer edge of the tire. Compare the distance from tire tread to wheel well near the moulding and at the very top of tire.

FWIW, a buddy of mine once put Monroe quick struts in his bonneville. He kept them in, but I always thought it looked comical how high the front sat. Like he was going to Dakar rally it or something. Perhaps the moogs, while handleing a bit better and not being quite as bad, are also just another "universal" part designed to sort of cover as many cars as possible.

hey i got a solution for all yalls problems!

Update:
Took a road trip to Chicago this weekend. I was getting 29 mpg on the turnpike. I think it's safe to say the springs have restored my fuel efficiency.

I don't know what stock traction should feel like so it's hard to compare what I have now to what it should be. But I think my suspension is where it should be. All is well.

Lesson here is, don't get the monroe quick struts unless you plan on using your stock or OEM springs.

Glad you're seeing improved economy, but doubt the springs have much to do with it. With cruise control engaged at 65 mph, a stock Riv should see at least 30 mpg on very long trips, so you're right there. Remember when you were considering driving down for the strut install? Wouldn't have cost very much!

AA wrote:

Glad you're seeing improved economy, but doubt the springs have much to do with it.

The Moogs have everything to do with it. With the monroe springs I was lucky to get 20mpg on the highway! Fuel fills were expensive those couple of weeks!

I had cruise set at 75 mph and I was getting a solid ~29-30mpg. The ride was smooth and solid and I was satisfied with the handling. I wish I knew what stock oem traction felt like though. I really want to see how the ride feels if I can tip just a little more weight up front. I am really thinking about hooking up the manual air line on the shocks and lift the back a ~1/4".

also, I was wondering.. I have 30psi in all 4 tires right now. what if i pumped only the back up to 31? I think i might try that too.

Wow, it really didn't look like much difference between your monroes and the moogs in the pictures. You were high in front, and still pretty high after the moogs. I could see how the monroes might hurt your mpg a tiny bit, but not 8 mpg worth - that's a big hit. Ecomodders have slammed cars to the ground and done extensive aero mods only to see less than a 5 mpg difference.

I think driving habits play a big role. I've noticed it myself many times. Whenever you do something to the car (like new springs), we tend to test things/push more, to see how the new mods perform. This usually means more accelerating and braking = worse mpg. Just sayin'.

You probably won't see much difference with 1 PSI. I run 45 PSI up front, 40 in rear. Have run as high as 50 all around, didn't notice any significant mpg gain. 30-35 should be good enough!

There's no doubt in my mind that the weight distribution brought on by the lifted front is what affected my fuel economy. Actually my traction and fuel economy both suffered dramatically.

I had 35 psi all the way around and lowered it to 30. The ride was much smoother and more forgiving compared to 35. I cannot imagine what 45/40 feels like. Kinda want to try it and see.

charlieRobinson wrote:

There's no doubt in my mind that the weight distribution brought on by the lifted front is what affected my fuel economy. Actually my traction and fuel economy both suffered dramatically.

I had 35 psi all the way around and lowered it to 30. The ride was much smoother and more forgiving compared to 35. I cannot imagine what 45/40 feels like. Kinda want to try it and see.

Probably not so much weight dist as much as aerodynamics. Mid-90s Fords with active suspensions (Lincoln Continental series) lower about an inch at highway speeds to increase MPG, it works (own one, measured). Sorry but I don't recall details about why this works. So lowering the car should have improved MPG just not for the reason you surmise.

I cant be sure but i feel that im getting better mileage with my new springs. It makes sense.if there is less deflection there is less squish in the system therefore less dynamic momentum the engine has to compensate for to overcome.

Lowering reduces frontal area, minimizes exposed tire area, and lessons drag under the car (the most non-aerodynamic part of the car). But, the resulting gain has a minimal effect on MPG. Driving style and route have a much bigger effect.

The people who know are the ecomodders, who test and tune for MPG. They will tell you the only way a stiffer spring can improve MPG is by enabling the car to take corners harder, preserving inertia. But the speings are only one part - you must do your part as the driver and start taking corners harder!

i can take corners so hard now it aint funny. hard enough to wear my tires to the core in a couple afternoons. ill slow down tank you very much!

Going fast doesn't hurt your MPG as much as slowing down does. Avoid braking and hold the corners hard, keep your inertia, and try to be safe doing it! Preserving fuel economy can be a lot of fun (and a good excuse to the wife/GF for installing suspension mods)!

yer rite AA.I wish you could sample my Rivs updated handling. with the rear mod coming in next week the package will be complete.

thank goodness robo lol

robotennis61 wrote:

yer rite AA.I wish you could sample my Rivs updated handling. with the rear mod coming in next week the package will be complete.

I want to check out everyones' riv suspension set up. I don't even have to drive. Lets have a meet up and you can all take me for rides and show me how your riv corners. Let's meet in Toledo, OH., Saturday, March 30th, 2013.

charlieRobinson wrote:

robotennis61 wrote:

yer rite AA.I wish you could sample my Rivs updated handling. with the rear mod coming in next week the package will be complete.

I want to check out everyones' riv suspension set up. I don't even have to drive. Lets have a meet up and you can all take me for rides and show me how your riv corners. Let's meet in Toledo, OH., Saturday, March 30th, 2013.

How about interested members to set up a parking-lot slalom near themselves, and set up a camera at a standard angle to video their cars cornering at an agreed speed (say 30 MPH)? Then post all the videos on youtube or some such...