Hi.

Has anyone ever used Monroe oe spectrum struts?

Thanks

 

Or any aftermarket struts (non performance)

 

I've used them, good strut. They are similar in ride quality to the originals but not quite as good. If you want to duplicate the Lexus ride you have to buy the Lexus struts, if you want a firmer ride then get KYB. Very high quality units but don't expect the "Lexus glide".

 

I would go with KYB. I used to sell and install OE Spectrum, and I can tell you first hand that they are very generic and low quality. So much so that I forced Napa auto parts to eat the warranty and put it towards KYB struts which they also carry.

 

Honestly I would recommend original OEM struts, my dad had his replaced with the Monroe OE struts on his ES330 to save money and I have new OEM's on my car and I can tell a huge difference. If you enjoy a softer ride, KYB isn't the way to go. I think the OEM's are worth the extra money for the quality and ride difference. Sometimes you can find them on eBay from dealers for cheap, that's how I got mine.

 

Shoot. What about monroe's upper end? Man I always thought shocks/struts were for eliminating bounce and the ride quality was from the springs and suspension engineering.

Thanks for your advice, all. I prefer to feel nothing and float down the road. 1977 Cadillac smooth. So oem it is. I do enjoy a stiff, German ride but only if I could have it in a second car for when the urge came. Not in my every day car.

I can't afford Struts now. Mine are 66,000 and 12 years old. So I should be ok for a while. Flex pipe first.

 

I have a used a higher end Monroe, and not again. I put the Sensa-Tracs in an Acura and they were fine for about 15k miles but then softened up unacceptably. High end or low, I will never buy a Monroe again for any vehicle.

The KYB fitment for your car is in no way 'German ride.' The aftermarket KYB (who are the OEM for Lexus) is slightly stiffer than the stock fitment, but not radically so. It's more like the difference you'd feel in an ES vs. a Camry XLE of the same year - not a heck of a lot in the big scheme. If you want it totally stock, then a dealer OE KYB is your only choice. What I have found is that after ~2k miles on the aftermarket KYB, they have settled in nicely and are smooth and pleasant; no one could ever mistake them for a Bilstein equipped BMW or Audi.

 

I think Monroe makes a quality product, I put them on a Lexus SUV and it has a great ride. The quick-strut was made in the USA. Some of their stuff is actually made in Japan. I just think you need to avoid the bottom barrel "economy" labeled line that's like $19.99 for a strut.

KYB is definitely not the company it once was, I hear lots of issues since they started outsourcing their products. Also, some people complain the ride can be on the stiff side. Personally, I want a ride on the softer side.