Monroe vs KYB vs Moog strut mounts

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Hey guys,

I am ordering strut mounts for my father's 92 Toyota Previa. The site that I'm ordering from has 3 options: Monroe, KYB and Moog - from cheapest to most expensive, in that order.

Which one would you choose and why?

The KYB mounts are about $35, and the Moog mounts are about $52.

Thanks.
 
Originally Posted By: MBS500
in such old car--cheapest?


With my luck, I would probably be doing the job twice if I went too cheap on the parts.
 
Originally Posted By: Dakota1820
They all have been [censored] on my saturn


Link?
 
I am preparing to replace struts because 1 or 2 of them are leaking oil, one makes a crunching sound in cool weather and three sound loose. Why is strut mount replacement needed?
 
Originally Posted By: jorton
I am preparing to replace struts because 1 or 2 of them are leaking oil, one makes a crunching sound in cool weather and three sound loose. Why is strut mount replacement needed?

Noise from the mounts.

Originally Posted By: bourne
we use KYB at work through CQ , good stuff.

Thanks.
 
Personally, KYB, but I've never owned a vehicle with strut mounts and have never bought strut mounts.

I have however bought parts from all three of those brands. KYB is the only brand that has not yet dissatisfied me.

I had Monroe Sensa-Tracs on my Explorer and they were okay, but nothing to write home about. Honestly, I couldn't tell much of a difference between the Sensa-Tracs and the rotted out OE shocks.

I put some Monroe cheapies on my current truck when I figured it could use some new shocks. Nope, bad idea. The Monroe's were terrible, and one of the rears blew out completely. There was oil literally dripping down the outside of the shock. They had a lifetime warranty, but I didn't bother. I replaced them with Motorcrafts in the front and KYB Excel Gs in the rear. The current setup works well, I am satisfied. No leaks, pretty firm ride, but good handling.

As for Moog, when my OE sway bar bushings started creaking, I decided I may as well put new end links on. Again, bad idea. The Moog bushings are fine, but the end links loosen up after a while and I have had to re-tighten the nuts a couple of times. I never had to do that with the OE end links. Good thing I saved them, because I am thinking of throwing the OE end links back on the next time the Moogs get loose, or buying a different brand.

So for those reasons, I'd probably roll the dice on KYB. SteveSRT8 has had KYB shocks break on his vans though, so I guess all three are a gamble.

How long will your dad be keeping the van?
 
Lately, I've been hearing bad things about KYB strut mounts. Many of them are coming in with broken bearings, rolling around the box.

I'd probably go with the Monroe, if OEM parts were not available.
 
I seriously doubt that KYB's will commonly break, but I have had it happen. In their defense it was on a 9000 pound plus heavily loaded van. But they would not guarantee either of our two failures (another blew its nitrogen out) so we will not buy again.

Gabriel Ultras are our fleet choice now, cheap and very good damping.
 
I prefer KYB struts to Monroes but I had a BAD experience with KYB mounts.
I had a clicking, ratcheting sound after installing them om my Saturn Ion.
I called the online place where I purchased them and he sent a new set. After installing them I had the same annoying sound. That's 4 out of 4 defective mounts.
I finally purchased Monroes and the sound went away. I wasted time and money installing junky mounts twice.
The KYB's were made in Thailand and the Monroes were made in Taiwan for what it's worth.
 
I just bought some Monroe mounts, and they are worked great and otherwise were perfectly fine, did not look cheap, etc. I would buy them again. I used them to replace rusted out OEM ones that were 17 years old and had around 210K miles on them:

escortleftbackupperstre.jpg
 
Of the 3 choices, I'd go with Monroe mounts. That they're also less expensive is a bonus. I've heard of more problems with the KYB mounts than with Monroe.
 
Thanks guys.

After spending some time on rockauto and figuring out how to most cost-effectively ship the items I needed, I found a way to get the Moog mounts for about $42/ea. So, that's what I'll be going with. It sounds like it's basically luck of the draw with these aftermarket parts. If the car was newer, I would spend the $100/ea on OE mounts, but it is difficult to justify on a 20 yr old van that is in less-than-perfect shape.

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Can you look at them in person and see which one is good enough?


They probably all look and feel fairly similar.

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

How long will your dad be keeping the van?


Probably as long as possible. He likes being able to haul items at a moment's notice.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Thanks guys.

After spending some time on rockauto and figuring out how to most cost-effectively ship the items I needed, I found a way to get the Moog mounts for about $42/ea. So, that's what I'll be going with. It sounds like it's basically luck of the draw with these aftermarket parts. If the car was newer, I would spend the $100/ea on OE mounts, but it is difficult to justify on a 20 yr old van that is in less-than-perfect shape.

Originally Posted By: PandaBear
Can you look at them in person and see which one is good enough?


They probably all look and feel fairly similar.

Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl

How long will your dad be keeping the van?


Probably as long as possible. He likes being able to haul items at a moment's notice.


Are you replacing the factory installed mounts? It is a 20 year old van, but if your dad likes it, the OE mounts lasted 20 years, and they are only $100 each...maybe go for it? It's not a 20 year old Caravan. A Previa has some uniqueness to it, it might be worth it. Even if it's not a perfect example, it's probably free of rust and in much better shape than the average 20 year old car. [censored], the average 20 year old car is in Pull-A-Part. I've seen old Previas with coffee stain carpet go for more than a couple grand on eBay.

Kind of a tough call. I guess if the Moogs suck you can always replace them, so give them a shot first, but I wouldn't rule out OE just because of the car's age. Some vehicles are worth keeping on the road.
 
Originally Posted By: 01rangerxl
I guess if the Moogs suck you can always replace them, so give them a shot first, but I wouldn't rule out OE just because of the car's age. Some vehicles are worth keeping on the road.


I think you must have jinxed me.
grin.gif
 
OK guys, I received the Moog strut mounts today. As many of you criticize me for my recent love for OE parts, there's a reason why.

Not sure what to do about this. Here we go:

Mount #1:

37CB26A6-909B-431A-BA99-7D10D2559FC2-9877-00000AD988A64273_zps2b578d31.jpg


Not so sure about the visible bearings, though the bearings would be facing upward. However, if you stick your finger in the hole and twist, it feels clunky...not smooth.

56B73E0B-BDD4-409B-9680-E1FBB7DD0861-9877-00000AD98EC76979_zpsd7f7ee41.jpg


Looks OK from the other side.
Note: The appearance of Mount #1 matches the Spicer/Raybestos mount on Rockauto.com.
Also, the bearing says "NHG - Japan."

023C5723-BC11-4C03-90C0-2CB1D966C2F8-9877-00000AD991B1693E_zpsbe0695c6.jpg


This is not the part # for a Genuine Toyota mount, that's for sure.

Mount #2:

97580042-AA0C-48B0-B582-DBEB370D1AE1-9877-00000AD994AB6308_zps13a7bb8c.jpg


This one looks completely different than the first one, and matches the picture on RockAuto.com. This one is made in thiland.

No visible bearings on this one, however. And this bearing spins silky smooth, unlike the other one. Thoughts?

3D23FB25-E432-49EB-B74C-893F44159F8F-9877-00000AD997D7B742_zps27cf3fbd.jpg


No name on this bearing, but it seems to have grease residue. Maybe it was just overpacked.

020B9B7D-0936-4E12-9603-15F44BA4FEBB-9877-00000AD99AFFFB70_zps1941a6cc.jpg


No difference in production dates between the two.

What do you guys think? The appearance itself doesn't bother me, but the clunky, not-smooth mounts on the first one sort of bother me...even if it's the made in japan mount. Thoughts?
 
odds are with some preload it will be quiet, but who really knows?

I absolutely despise the variations though, as I look at the parts carefully and it really sets off my radar based on years of experience.

You just KNOW that there will be a difference in the performance of those two pieces.
 
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