Monroe?
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
Monroe?
Just trying to see what everyone feels about Monroe shocks. I just ordered 4 to replace the stock ones on my truck that are long due for changing. Should have them in in a week and a half or so. I have time before I get a free day to change them and if Monroe isnt a good shock I will send them back and get the Gabriel Ultras. Which ones would you guys choose?
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Tehachapi, CA
I've got Monroe Reflex on my 1/2 ton and so far I'm happy with them. Quite a few folks on the forum recommend Bilstein. They're more expensive but are supposed to be really good. I haven't had any personal experience with them. Good luck.
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Postmaster
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From: Southern Louisiana
thanks guys. one of the reasons i have picked the monroes as my first choice is because the name is well known and i have never heard of gabrial. the reason i have picked between these two is the price with the lifetime warrenty. of course if i put a broom handle in place of the current shocks i would probably notice a diffrence as these are the factory shocks. i am not going to use the truck for any hardcore stuff besides some light towing every once in a while so i am not picky as far as shocks go, and these two seemed like the safest surest bet. they have a lifetime warrenty so i dont mind changing them every 30000 miles or so, it will just give me something to do as i lead a fairly bored life.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: USA
I have 6 Monroe Reflex's on my Bronco - I definitely like those shocks. I had Rancho RS-5000s before... way too stiff for a Daily Driver - I put the RS-5000's on my beater bronco - much better on that rig.
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Postmaster
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From: Southern Louisiana
i got my 4 monroes and will change them either later on today or tommorrow. ill let you guys know how it goes. the last few days i have been crawling under there and dousing everything with wd-40 to try to loosen up the bolts as i have heard how they cold weld them selves.
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Surprised you have never heard of Gabriels. I thought everyone had heard of Hijackers. Course I'm an old fart that's been driving since 68.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Southern Louisiana
never really gave much thought to shocks period. never kept a car long enough to do anything about them. i now have a new problem. i just did the front shocks, but how in @#$@ do you get to the upper rear bolts?
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Well after doing them once on my 98 and once on my 01, I can definitely say get a ratcheting box end wrench. If what happened to me on my 98 happens to you, you may end up getting out the hack saw. I could only get the one nut part way off. Had to put the blade thru a hole on the frame and the saw frame over top the truck frame and hack saw it off. I played with that one nut for over an hour and hack sawed it of in 5 minutes.
Make sure you put some antiseize on than upper post threads for the future.
Make sure you put some antiseize on than upper post threads for the future.
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Postmaster
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From: Southern Louisiana
thanks kingfish. that hacksaw is sounding good. i looked and tries all over and cant get my fat hands no where around there. the fronts were easier than i thought, i thought i would have problems with those but it only took about 20 mins a side. after playing with one rear i decided to give up and ask if there was an easier way. tommorrow, the hack saw is coming out and metal shavings will be flying all over the place.
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Just remember, a nut has to go back on. That ratcheting box end wrench will help there too. After I had my problem, I realized they can be a knuckle saver. I now have a decent set of SAE and MM. Makes workin on a nut in tight places a lot easier.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: USA
Here is a trick I have been using for years.... and it works GREAT!!!
Once you finish installing your shocks - take some grease - wheel bearing / chassis / ball joint grease and COMPLETELY coat the threads on the shock stud.
I check hold the grease is holding up everytime I lube the chassis - since I have my grease gun in hand anyhow...
Since doing that... I have NEVER had a hard time removing shocks - give it a try!
Once you finish installing your shocks - take some grease - wheel bearing / chassis / ball joint grease and COMPLETELY coat the threads on the shock stud.
I check hold the grease is holding up everytime I lube the chassis - since I have my grease gun in hand anyhow...
Since doing that... I have NEVER had a hard time removing shocks - give it a try!
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Postmaster
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From: Southern Louisiana
i found an easy way to get in there but couldnt get the hacksaw blade in there positioned to cut the nut off. i did however find a way to get a ratcheting box end in there but the whole darn shock turns. when my brother comes home from his job monday he will come over and i will use his torch and cut the darn thing off. the fronts turned a little but nothing a pipe wrench couldnt take care of, but the back one is the only one i am having trouble with. all the other nuts and bolts came off with no problems but these. i am anxious to do the back ones cause the fronts made it ride a whole lot better and i cant wait to see what a diffrence the back ones make.
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Were you trying to just cut the nut or the upright bolt? I cut the bolt below the nut. Unfortunately, I don't remember there being anything to put another wrench on to keep it from turning. Monroes I had in the past either had a nut at the bottom of the upright or the end was flat spotted. I don't think the OE's had this.