gapboi210

I have a 2000 i30t with 160K. I think I blew out a rear strut, it dips excessively in the rear and bobs side to side. The front strut mounts have started making noise too. I work at a repair shop but we are so busy it is hard to get my own vehicle worked on. I just want to do a quick strut on all 4 corners. I am not looking for performance but just basically an OEM ride. I have heard that Monroe Quick Strut will make it bounce like a Cadillac, Gabriel is trash, and now I am considering FCS.


Any input?

a33nismo

KYB struts are a very good choice and well recommended on the forum. There valved nicely for the maxima and give sport feel without being harsh.

www.rockauto.com has them for a good price and you can normally find a set of 4 on ebay for a decent price also.

gapboi210

yeah but i am looking for quick struts. i need a complete unit ( mounts, bellows, etc) something I can install in the garage, get new tires on and then aligned.

a33nismo

AH i can't comment on good quick struts i've never liked the idea of them sorry.

AH i can't comment on good quick struts i've never liked the idea of them and i have heard many horror stories about them clunking on bumps after a few thousand miles since the strut mounts that come with them are poorly built.

Just search monroe quick struts breaks.

You might have better luck with them but its a gamble.

gapboi210

I think I might be the guinea pig and try the FCS quick struts. I am still toying with the idea of Monroe but I hear I am almost guaranteed a soft bouncy ride.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Quick struts are not recommended IMO. The FCS ones are garbage.

gapboi210

just asking why a quick strut would not be recommended and why are the FCS garbage?

rebelhell

iTrader: (1)

You're looking at what $450 for a set of four? Why not save up a few extra bucks and pick up a set of Megan Coilovers? They can be had for $650, and would offer a lot more versatility as far as ride stiffness and ride height.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Imagine you were a company making an assembly. Your selling point is that it's an assembly and you're the first to offer one. Given the selling point, wouldn't your business basis / cost-benefit be to source low quality components, put them together, and then bank on the fact that you're the only one to offer an assembly?

eg: The mounts are not Moog mounts. The boots are not OEM. Who knows how prone the springs are to breaking, and no one has a clue what Chinese factory made the struts.

The same exact concept exists with their 'suspension renovation kit' - the one with control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar links, etc. All garbage components, conveniently arranged into a kit.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

A proper core suspension (springs and installation excluded) should cost roughly $500-$550 for GR-2's, Moog mounts, OEM boots. If you're reusing your springs, then that's the end of your cost. If you're lowering, then you wouldn't get lowering springs in the FCS assemblies anyway. That's pretty close in price to $450 for the assemblies....

I stand by my recommendation of sourcing higher quality individual components yourself.

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

I'm glad you are happy. If you remember, please keep us posted every 20-30k miles.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

The Monroe SensaTrack quick struts is what you want. They ride and handle much better then the stock Monroe Matic.

gapboi210

Thanks for the info. I just called and spoke directly with FCS. Not gonna go that route. There is not enough info on them for me to feel comfortable. Their website is rather vague and mostly non-functional. The guy I spoke to at FCS just made it sound like the FCS were so-so products. They may be great but due to time, money and space restraints I am going to look for the sensa-trac quick struts.

I was also going to ask if there were different Monroe quick struts and it appears there are.

gapboi210

It looks like the Quick Strut for my car only comes in the Spectrum series strut.
They started this in Feb of this year. According to Monroe, the OESpectrum series strut is their premium top of the line strut. They said it is much better than a Sensa-Trac and blows the Monroe-matic out of the water. Looks like I'll be ordering 4 of them. Any surprises I need to know about when swapping out the strut assemblies on a 5th gen?

djipka

iTrader: (9)

+1

gapboi210

people keep saying to go the Sensa-trac route. According to Monroe they do not make Sensa-tracs for a 5th gen anymore. Just OESpectrum.

yankeefan13

I JUST put these Monroe Quickstruts on mine yesterday. So far its much better, but Im having a slight problem with my alignment (dont think its Monroe fault though). Its a pretty straightforward installation though, except on mine passenger side axle seemed to pop out , but all fixed now.

yankeefan13

No they weren't. I actually just started a thread about my alignment on here. I think the thread might be right under this thread if you wanna check it out.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

For the people that has the Quick Struts, did ride height increase?

gapboi210

I would expect a small ride height increase since you are replacing worn components.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

Thanks Good to know, i just blew a strut hitting a pot hole and putting quickstrut on my i35

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Don't just replace one. Make sure you install a matching pair.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

well of course a pair lol

mschflbn

I just got a pair of quick struts in for my 02 SE the other day. Putting Em on in a few days, but there's a warning in my instructions that says the ride height will be increased until the components settle. So we should expect the ride height increase FYI. I'll post my results here after I'm done.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

I hope it drops, my i35 is at a height that i like on the stock springs. I should be getting mine this week and installing right away so i will post my results too

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

You never know. Always have to confirm.

mschflbn

Got my quick struts put in today. Very easy install and very straight forward. Took me about 2 hours for both front struts. My height from floor to top of wheel well was 27.5 inches at start with original struts at 98,000 miles. Height was 28 3/4 after install and back down to 27.5 inches after I took her for a 10 minute drive to see how she felt. Compared to the busted up crap that was in there these felt super crisp. I know they're not the firm performance struts but for the daily driver they feel great. No more noise from the front end anymore either. I can't attest to durability but they feel great right now.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

That sounds super! Can't wait to get mine tomorrow. I can't stand a harsh ride anymore, maybe im getting old lol

gapboi210

Mine came in. Looks like I'll try getting them in tomorrow

mschflbn

And just for kicks because i like photos...here's the struts in the box, one of the old blown one removed and one of the new ones put in.

MerlotMaxima

Are there any lowering springs that could be paired with these Monroes? I'm lookin to get these but the wheel gap
(between tire and fender) is gonna get even larger with the install.

Amerikaner83

iTrader: (17)

wheelgap shouldn't get larger...these are supposedly OEM replacements.


but anything with a MILD drop like H-techs or H&Rs would work...BUT...since they're OEM equivalent, drops are not recommended, as the struts will blow.

And the price of thse plus springs you're looking at a strut that you can drop on anyhow, like KYB or Tokico. Better to get those from the get-go.


In other words, this is an OEM REPLACEMENT, not meant to be dropped.

coolsun

iTrader: (10)

I got mine in today too, there was no ride height difference at all for me. They Ride Pretty darn nice and im going to order for the rears too since it seems too bouncy in the back lol

mschflbn

I got an alignment on mine this afternoon and I must say she is feeling great on the road now. No height difference from stock still.

yankeefan13

Here is my current alignment after the quickstruts: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B-0p...hienYyNm8/edit . Everything is good except the caster. Idk about fixing that one since you cant adjust it.