evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

im looking at two different sets of struts, one are the monroe matic plus shocks, and the others are the monroe sensa track struts. i have the monroe matic plus shocks that i just put on today and they seem to ride good. they replaced the stock dead shocks and my struts are the stock ones too. which of the monroes ride better? im thinking of getting the matic plus's because they match the rear and are blue :]/ what do you guys think?

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

ttt

Drew

iTrader: (58)

I've used Monroe Matics or Gas-Matics a few times. I've also driven a few cars with Sensa-tracs. In my opinion, either are fine for rear shocks in a beater. For anything really nice, I'd spend more money. For both, I'd say they make lousy struts for cars with stiff springs. On a V6 you might be fine, but a V8 thirdgen really needs a quality strut to control the stiff springs.

I've got Monroe matics on my 4cyl Mustang, the ride is rough as hell. For the dirt cheap price I paid (Rock Auto close out) they're ok, but I think they handle worse then the old used up struts they replaced. In my case I had to change them because I upgraded the front brakes/spindles, which in Mustang land means different struts.

Carlos773

iTrader: (3)

As Drew said, if its a beater then just go with what you want. Obviously ride comfort/handling/durability is out of the question if you are looking into these struts/shocks.

I put Monroe Sensa on my 95 Jimmy and the ride quality was the same as the 60k Worn out Bilsteins they replaced. My GTP had Monroe's and it rides ok. Gonna swap them out for Bilsteins later down the road.

evilemokid94

iTrader: (6)

So does anyone know which one rides better/smoother? Being that I'm just getting ready to turn 17 I really don't have the extra for kohnis or blistins. I might be able to swing kyb but that's a big maybe so really Monroe is the only one in my budget besides Gabriel. I just can't decide which one would ride smoother. I think my rear handles and rides better now so I might go with the matic plus just because I can tell how they are on the rear.

nomind

I have Monroe on all four corners of my 85, I don't hate them, but I don't love them. I would stay away from the sensa-trac, it didn't fit right on the front. Traded them for Monroe Matics, they fit just fine. I think they could use some better valving, but I don't have any problems out of them, and I'm driving the car 110 miles a day.

Pablo

iTrader: (1)

Smoother does not mean better.

Project 3.4 Camaro

Monroes are a cheap replacement imo, nothing more, nothing less, they work fine if you are just looking for a replacement and not an improvement, if you want an improvement, get the wallet out at and look at bilstein, koni etc.

cal30_sniper

iTrader: (16)

I've had Monroes on multiple vehicles over the years, and I've never been impressed. I had Monroe struts on the front of my old '87 T/A, and they were done for after about 20k miles. That being said, they never handled good to begin with. I had KYB shocks on the rear. They were much better in the handling department, and showed minimal reduction in effectiveness after 20k miles. Of course, then I switched to Koni Yellows all the way around and will never go back.

From my experience, DON'T go with the Monroes. They will show minimal to no improvement over the stockers (even worn ones), and will wear out much quicker than the stock struts. With the effort involved in changing shocks and struts on these cars, it's just not worth the shortcut. If you have to go cheap, at least go with the KYB. Bilsteins and Konis are of course, always a better idea if you can swing the cash. For something in between, look into Tokicos. I've heard good things about them.

-cal30sniper