Monroe Sensa-Trac Struts on my Volvo

louty · Post by **louty** » 22 Feb 2010, 15:25

thanks,
Ill look into those
am running billy sports and eibach springs on my 91 bmw but the ride is too stiff for my wife, for her car

randrews80 · Post by **randrews80** » 22 Mar 2010, 08:34

Have a 98 V70 AWD with 150k and just put Monroe Sensa-Trac's on. Replaced the original OEM Sachs which had no rebound at all. Have only put about 1000 miles on the but am very happy with the ride. The jury is still out on durability. We don't do any performance driving just typical around town stuff. Looked at Bilstens and Koni's but at $50 each just had to try the Monroe's. Put new spring seats and upper bearing mounts. I know most of the purists out there will probably be aghast but I really could not find any good arguments against using them - just a lot of support for Bilsten and Koni.

Good luck.

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 22 Mar 2010, 10:34

Over the years I've never had any luck with Monroe/Gabriel parts. On the brutal streets of NY, They always seem to lose effectiveness after a year or so.
Three of the OEM Motorcraft struts/shocks in my Thunderbird were still good at 90K when I replaced all four with Gabriels. They started bouncing within 2 years.
My work van was in Midas all the time for various (Monroe)shock replacements.
My Ford Escort wagon I bought with 70K on it. The previous owner had Motorcrafts in the front Monroes in the back. The fronts (still good) might have been factory, They still had washed out paper parts stickers on them. The backs, absolutely NO resistance or support.
When it comes to struts and electronic sensors I am a firm believer in spending a few extra bucks on original equipment. I got a pair of front Sachs struts and mounts for $225 free shipping. Isn't that cheap enough for unquestionably premium quality stuff?

randrews80 · Post by **randrews80** » 22 Mar 2010, 13:57

98 V70 T-5 AWD 150,000K

Thanks for the Monroe info. I already have mine installed and will try to provide updates over the next couple of months. If I had not just spent over $3000 on repairs and Preventive Maint. (new turbo, radiator, air pump, PVC system, timing components, water pump, hatch struts,tires, brakes etc.) I would have loved to have gone with the Bilstens but had to draw the line somewhere.

Robert

Volvofix1 · Post by **Volvofix1** » 22 Mar 2010, 16:31

Being a semiretired Volvo tech and former owner of a large independent Volvo shop in Westport Ct. I would reccomend KYB shocks .I have used them for many years and have them in my 4 Volvos

Dick K.

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 24 Mar 2010, 09:33

KYB's are way too stiff for me. Definitely not a pleasant ride broken city streets.

Volvofix1 wrote:Being a semiretired Volvo tech and former owner of a large independent Volvo shop in Westport Ct. I would reccomend KYB shocks .I have used them for many years and have them in my 4 Volvos

Dick K.

Can you help me out wiyh this one?
https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... =1&t=28093 -Noisy mounts

chernobyl1 · Post by **chernobyl1** » 02 Apr 2011, 09:46

After reading through this forum (and a few others), I chose the Bilstein TC's to replace my wifes 145K OE struts on her '99 V70. Big mistake. The ride is definitely better than the worn out struts, but way too firm for a family car on busted up Michigan roads. I've driven them about 7k miles since install so any breaking in would've happened by now. I wish I had thought about this factor a little bit more and saved myself $70 for each shock.

Now its time to replace the shocks on my 150k 98 V70. I chose the Monroe's for the front and OEM sachs for the rear (I haul around a full load sometimes). I personally prefer a sporty ride, but after the experience with my wife's car I'm starting to think that I prefer my spine a bit more.

These shocks should be in by the end of the week so I'll make sure to post my observations when the job's done!

KEWROCK · Post by **KEWROCK** » 02 Apr 2011, 10:37

chernobyl1 wrote:After reading through this forum (and a few others), I chose the Bilstein TC's to replace my wifes 145K OE struts on her '99 V70. Big mistake. The ride is definitely better than the worn out struts, but way too firm for a family car on busted up Michigan roads. I've driven them about 7k miles since install so any breaking in would've happened by now. I wish I had thought about this factor a little bit more and saved myself $70 for each shock.

Now its time to replace the shocks on my 150k 98 V70. I chose the Monroe's for the front and OEM sachs for the rear (I haul around a full load sometimes). I personally prefer a sporty ride, but after the experience with my wife's car I'm starting to think that I prefer my spine a bit more.

These shocks should be in by the end of the week so I'll make sure to post my observations when the job's done!

I don't know. I went with OEM Sachs struts looking for a softer ride. It didn't happen. The car still has a punishing ride. I also put on a set of Michilin tires, the same model that came factory installed on my '88 Lincoln Town Car. That didn't help much either. The only thing I could think of changing now are the springs. But the car sits properly and doesn't bottom out, so I don't think they're bad. I think it's just the way the car is designed with extremely stiff springs.

Maybe some cheap aftermarket springs would do it. But they would have to be taller to be softer, otherwise the car would bottom out. But then the car would no longer sit right (hight wise).

I've tried Monroe/Gariel struts on some other vehicles. They don't last more than a year or two in NYC. They let my Linclon bottom out the first time I pulled in my driveway apron. My work vans, two years tops for the Sensatracs.

Don't do it!

Post by **matthew1** » 18 Aug 2011, 06:35

I'm going to close this topic because it's a duplicate subject. Please use this newer Monroe Sensa-Trac forum topic if you'd like to read more or comment.