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Just received the Monroe Sport Struts 71488ST and Shocks 39047ST. Apparently the only difference are the fronts struts on the Sport Suspension Package per my VIN.
I was going to go Bilsteins but the Monroes were too good of a deal to pass up. Turns out to be less than $110 per corner with Monroe $60 rebate plus Life Time Warranty at Clark's Discount Auto Parts. Ask for Carl in their Online Department, rebate is good until end of April.
No affiliation, just a real happy customer
I will report back after install and test drive.
Changing because the front is bottoming out and actually damaged the right sway bar linkage and the bolt hit the plastic dirt shield making a horrible "Plastic CLUNK" sound. I have straightened out the plastic and it no longer makes noise but I can feel the bottoming out affect.
I replaced the 4 shocks. The car is a little "better" but not perfect. I still hearing the "toc toc"on the front suspension . It got 64.000 km /39.000 miles . Do you guys have any idea what is that? Bushing, etc?
Sure would like to know how this turned out. Thanks.
Originally Posted by DRACO
Thanks Bill.
Just received the Monroe Sport Struts 71488ST and Shocks 39047ST. Apparently the only difference are the fronts struts on the Sport Suspension Package per my VIN.
I was going to go Bilsteins but the Monroes were to good of a deal to pass up. Turns out to be less than $110 per corner with Monroe $60 rebate plus Life Time Warranty at Clark's Discount Auto Parts. Ask for Carl in their Online Department, rebate is good until end of April.
No affiliation, just a real happy customer
I will report back after install and test drive.
Changing because the front is bottoming out and actually damaged the right sway bar linkage and the bolt hit the plastic dirt shield making a horrible "Plastic CLUNK" sound. I have straightened out the plastic and it no longer makes noise but I can feel the bottoming out affect.
I replaced the 4 shocks. The car is a little "better" but not perfect. I still hearing the "toc toc"on the front suspension . It got 64.000 km /39.000 miles . Do you guys have any idea what is that? Bushing, etc?
Take a look at the sway bar linkage bolts, they sit very close to the wheel well plastic covers. It is very possible with the old struts, if dipped far enough, it will hit the plastic wheel well liner and if like mine, bent it outward and caused it to hit the end of the sway bar linkage bolt. It even left a scrap pattern showing exactly where the "non-metalic clunk" came from. Mine deformed so I used a heat gun and shaped it back.
I actually replaced both linkages because passenger side was damaged due to sever dip of the strut and bent the top portion.
I have an appointment to swap the struts/shocks out this Thursday at my buddy's shop he has a coil compressor and I will post the results.
Take a look at the sway bar linkage bolts, they sit very close to the wheel well plastic covers. It is very possible with the old struts, if dipped far enough, it will hit the plastic wheel well liner and if like mine, bent it outward and caused it to hit the end of the sway bar linkage bolt. It even left a scrap pattern showing exactly where the "non-metalic clunk" came from. Mine deformed so I used a heat gun and shaped it back.
I actually replaced both linkages because passenger side was damaged due to sever dip of the strut and bent the top portion.
I have an appointment to swap the struts/shocks out this Thursday at my buddy's shop he has a coil compressor and I will post the results.
Monroe Sport Strut and Shock replacement, Success!
WooHoo
Update:
So went to my buddy's shop today, he is an indy MBZ shop Factory Certified, but he made me do all the work . I loved it, learned allot and corrected a few items while I was in there, poop the POs/wrench Dickered
Here are the Factory Sachs Sport Package Struts/Shocks. Upon removal, verified fronts were definitely SHOT, I was able to compress with my hands with no effort at all while holding it up. Passenger side was much worse than the driver side. Probably due to the accident POs was in.
Sachs:
On the Coil Compressor, so much easier and safer than the two bolt system death trap.
Monroe, Sport Struts and Shocks $111 per corner
Rears are standard, even the Sachs
Notice, Monroe's do not have the Heat Sinks on the lower assembly. Hell, what do you want for $111 per corner. Fronts are made in Spain and the rears were made in Belgium. I was expecting China made and was pleasantly surprised. So was my buddy. He will be getting these for his clients to save them money, if they choose to do so.
Mounted:
NOTE: You absolutely need this if you plan to DIY! The front strut requires it to remove/install the coil cap.
THE RIDE
Freakin Awesome, for me, DAY AND NIGHT. No more severe dips and bottoming out on speed bumps. Takes corners like it should and no more bouncing around on the freeway. Honestly much better response and feel. After 82K miles, I guess it is about time.
One thing of note, as it was on my 911, new struts/shock will raise the car about 1/2". Now, to get her aligned again :-)
Jim
Last edited by DRACO; Apr 21, 2015 at 12:23 AM.
Reason: typos
Good job with the fix! We might be able to help you out next time with some DIY Tech Articles. If we don't have what you need, you can post in here and a technician may be able to help you, which also helps us update our DIY content with more DIY fixes for you.
Oh no, been a Pelican for over 10 Years now :-P almost 9K of posts. Dabbled a bit in the Peach when I had the 190E. My wife won't let me work on her car :-( unless supervised by my indy MBZ wrench buddy.
Oh no, been a Pelican for over 10 Years now :-P almost 9K of posts. Dabbled a bit in the Peach when I had the 190E. My wife won't let me work on her car :-( unless supervised by my indy MBZ wrench buddy.
We appreciate the business! haha well hopefully your indy is teaching you some good stuff about working on her car.
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Monroe Sport Strut and Shock replacement, Success!
. I loved it, learned allot and corrected a few items while I was in there, poop the POs/wrench Dickered 
