RockAuto Choices

"Snuze: Needs another Swede" (markg)
03/17/2020 at 11:46 • Filed to: None

I’m thinking of ordering some shocks and struts (full assemblies) for the Cruze. It would give me something to do for a day if work decides to close down (but that’s another story ) . So I’m looking on Rock Auto and my choices are:

FCS - $70

Monroe - $85

Gabriel - $105

KYB - $115

AC Delco - $110

AC Delco would be the OEM part and I’m fine with that, but saving money is also good. Anyone have any experience with FCS or Monroe, or should I just bite the bullet and get the OEM. Or are the KYB or Gabriels going to be a better choice at that price point?

DISCUSSION (19)

HammerheadFistpunch > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 11:53

I would buy KYB if they are new assemblies and not just re-cartridged OE ones.

CalzoneGolem > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 11:55

Monroes would be comparable in my experience as long as they aren't econo. Personally I'd go KYB.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > HammerheadFistpunch
03/17/2020 at 11:57

The KYBs are the “Strut Plus” which includes a “KYB Excel-G Gas Strut which is built on the same KYB OE assembly lines”. Sounds to me like it’s an OE one.

Long_Voyager94 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:06

Monroe is junk, unless you like replacing struts every 3-5k miles.

I put API on the Acclaim when I redid the suspension because they were $20/each. 35k miles later they’re still going strong.

I usually go for KYB or Koni for struts and shocks on stuff I care about, both have given me quality products with good life.

Aremmes > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:13

Are the current springs in need of replacement? If not, you can save some more money and get just the struts, and RockAuto seems to have a little bit more variety there.

facw > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:14

No help to you, but I couldn’t keep myself from going fancy:

Kinja'd!!!

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Long_Voyager94
03/17/2020 at 12:18

I have no experience with Monroe, but now I have 2 different opinions on the,.

The KYBs are the base models, which apparently are made in M exico and are rebadged Gabriels. After HHFPs post above I did some googling and I read that KYBs used to all be made in Japan and they were all stellar, now their basic stuff is same as Gabriel, but the higher end stuff is still made in Japan and still good.

I’ll look to see if Koni makes anything for it.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > facw
03/17/2020 at 12:23

Nice!

The Cruze isn’t worthy of Bilsteins. And at this point any strut would probably be an improvement.

facw > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:31

I have no idea how it will be for my S60, maybe it won’t be much better than before, maybe the’ll be too stiff and ruin highway cruising, and hopefully they’ll be good, but regardless I’m excited to find out (assuming I don’t kill myself with a spring compressor) .

Long_Voyager94 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:48

I’ve had KYB Excel-G strut assemblies on my van for almost 50k miles now. They’ve even put up with my abuse off road without complaint.

They replaced 2 different levels of Monroe struts, neither of which made 5k miles before clunking worse than my 200k mile factory struts.

Long_Voyager94 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:51

If you don’t need Springs you can get Bilstiens for the Cruze for $82 each.......

ChevytoMazda > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 12:58

What year do you have. I had a 13 and got Bilstein b4 for the back and got the kyb assembly for the front. Overall I liked the kybs. The car does have plastic stabilizer links so I got the upgraded moogs.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Long_Voyager94
03/17/2020 at 13:22

I need the upper mounts, too. I was pricing it out and it’s close so I figured I’d get the whole assembly and save myself some time and energy.

Captain of the Enterprise > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 13:30

When I do my Camry I’m going to go KYB, they make some of the one Toyota stuff according to online forums. AC Delco being another oem could be a good choice. I wouldn’t use Monroe, I put some on my old crown Vic and they only lasted like 6 months before leaking.

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Aremmes
03/17/2020 at 13:38

I considered that option but I also need new upper mounts. Pricing it all out, getting the assemblies only costs a few bucks more and saves me a lot of time and hassle.

dogisbadob > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 13:38

The ACDelco quick struts are NOT the OE struts! T hey are reboxed Gabriel

You have to be careful when buying ACDelco parts because they have three lines: GM Original Equipment, Professional, and Advantage. Only the ones marked GM Original Equipment are the OEM parts. The Professional line is made of mid-grade aftermarket parts,while Advantage (Disadvantage) is cheap scrap shit. Some filters and spark plugs labeled Professional are OE parts, but those are about the only ACDelco Professional parts that are OE

My choice out of your options would be the KYB quick struts

Snuze: Needs another Swede > Captain of the Enterprise
03/17/2020 at 13:39

Thanks for the advice. I’m definitely getting the vibe that Monroe are junk, so I will avoid those. I will probably end up going KYB or AC Delco.

Aremmes > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 13:47

Yeah, that makes more sense.

Long_Voyager94 > Snuze: Needs another Swede
03/17/2020 at 16:04

When I did the car I got only the pieces I needed, so struts/upper mount bearing/Spring Seat Rubbers, I was able to order them individually for about $50 less than getting cheap quick struts.

I went that route as I always hate the “higher” ride height until they break in, plus I had time. Normally I just get quick struts, get an alignment after changing them, drive for around 1k miles to let everything settle, then get another alignment.