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Any recent experience with the Monroe OESpectrum/Sensa-Tracs?

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Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:28 PM
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Any recent experience with the Monroe OESpectrum/Sensa-Tracs?

Does anyone have actual experience with the Monroe OESpectrum/Sensa-Trac struts in the last 2 or 3 years? Mostly all I can find in previous posts is comments like "ewwwwww" and "uggghhh", and seems most comments with details are pretty old.

They probably *were* crap, and may still be. But, I wanted to leave open the possibility that- maybe- improvements could have been made over the years.
Old Jan 2, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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Monroe makes a good long lasting strut. High performance it is not though
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 12:40 AM
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KYB GR2's and be done with it!
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 12:41 AM
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kyb agx and be done with it
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 04:24 AM
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Originally Posted by JC93SE
Does anyone have actual experience with the Monroe OESpectrum/Sensa-Trac struts in the last 2 or 3 years? Mostly all I can find in previous posts is comments like "ewwwwww" and "uggghhh", and seems most comments with details are pretty old.

They probably *were* crap, and may still be. But, I wanted to leave open the possibility that- maybe- improvements could have been made over the years.
I've had them on my Civic for a year or two now and they are just fine. I have them on my black VE but don't have the car driving yet so I can't give any input just yet but I suspect and fully expect they will be just fine. I got them at a fantastic price that I just couldn't pass up and actually bought an EXTRA set too that I'll store in the attic.

What was the complaint against them? Or are we talking about people using them while lowered? My black VE will be bone stock so I'm not worried about them at all, though I certainly wouldn't use them lowered.
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 05:41 AM
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About 2 years ago I replaced the struts in my 96 corolla with the Monroe Sensa-Trac... to be honest I am really happy with my choice. The ride quality is better that the OEM and so far close to 30,000+ miles of my brother delivering pizza with that car the ride is still the same nice and smooth... by all means they are great for a daily driver probably the cheapest alternative when it comes to replacing struts and keeping the nice comfortable ride... I know a lot of people say go with KYB but in my option those are just to stiff for a daily driver, I had those on my accord (my daily driver) and I hatted them...
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by CMax03
KYB GR2's and be done with it!
Yeah, yeah... I know. The beloved Tokicos are no more, and I'm just trying to do "due dilligence".


Originally Posted by ShocknAwe
kyb agx and be done with it
KYB doesn't list any AGX for 3rd gen. Am I missing something?
Old Jan 3, 2012 | 07:59 PM
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I ask about the Monroes to see if they really *were* crap or if it was more a matter of taste.

Also, Monroe introduced their "OESpectrum" product line late 2010. The 3rd gen Maxima's part numbers are no longer in the SensaTrac line, but the same p/n are now OESpectrum. There are some indications that there are general differences between the two lines, but I can't tell if they actually made changes to the Maxima struts or if they just rebranded them. I can see- maybe- why they wouldn't change part numbers though.

I spoke with a non-tech "CSR" at Monroe today. After being put on hold while he was getting answers to my questions, the best he could tell me was that as long as I got two of the same kind I should be OK. Not helpful.

So, I was just askin' if anyone knew what either kind were like. I'm staying on stock springs, btw.

Last edited by JC93SE; Jan 3, 2012 at 08:02 PM.
Old Jan 4, 2012 | 04:24 AM
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2 VE's are better than one!
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Also, FWIW, Monroe = Gabriel. They are both manufactured in the same plant and the boxes come dual labeled with both Moneoe and Gabriel part numbers
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