Hi guys, I am looking for some new quick struts for my 2014 with 120k miles. What brand would you recommend? Monroe, KYB(kind of pricey), or any other ones that will last another 50k at least?
CX-5 Strut Brands
- Thread starter Bitterlemon
- Start date
Stay away from Monroe. Search the web and you'll find they don't have a great reputation. I had them twice on previous cars and it took about 3-4 weeks before they settled in (rode high and a bit firm). At about 20-25,000 miles they started going soft. It's not a money saving proposition by having to keep changing them. The labor costs alone would be more than the extra expense of buying better struts in the first place. Also, cheap quick-type strut assemblies have garnered complaints about developing clunks due to failing strut mounts (the top part of the assembly that bolts to the body ---open the hood and you'll see 3 nuts on the protruding studs). If you are planning on keeping the car then struts are not an area to go cheap on.
That said, some members here have reported satisfaction with KYB so that seems to be the consensus and those would be my first choice when the time comes.
Maybe some other members will add their thoughts and experiences.
That said, some members here have reported satisfaction with KYB so that seems to be the consensus and those would be my first choice when the time comes.
Maybe some other members will add their thoughts and experiences.
Okay, if Monroe really only last for 20k miles, it is obviously not worth the effort.
It wasn't as if the Monroe struts suddenly failed or turned to mush, it's when they got "softer" and leaned more in turns and lost some damping ability. It was around that mileage that I noticed and it wasn't an overnight change. They weren't suddenly horrible but were degrading faster than I expected. I ran them another 2-3 years until buying my CX-5 (oh what a difference in ride and handling). If I'm spending the money for struts then I want struts that maintain consistent ride and handling for a long time, like struts on a new car do. So a good replacement strut will cost more.
As an aside note in case you aren't aware, without getting into the exotic; the starter, alternator, sensors, wheel bearings, cv axles, water pump and struts on a new car are generally the best quality and longest wearing. That's why I always want to verify any of those parts are indeed faulty before replacing (even with OEM Mazda parts) with an aftermarket part. Aftermarket parts can be a real crapshoot.
Long answer I know but wanted to explain better.
I've heard mixed reviews on the Monroe.
However, many of the positive reviews for aftermarket struts in general seem to be shortly after installation, and it's obviously long term reliability we want to know.
I already got my front KYB quick struts in the mail, and am waiting to have them installed at the end of this month.
I have 312,000KM on my original struts on my Mazda 6. They are in great shape considering their age. All other major front suspension components have already been replaced and are tight. I could have continued to drive on my original front struts with no major degradation in ride and handling, had I not regularly cornered the vehicle aggressively on rough roads in the past.
At your mileage, I am confident you still have lots of life in your original struts, and they very well may outlast many aftermarket options. Make sure all other suspension components are tight such as tie rods, control arms, end links before you decide for certain.
However, many of the positive reviews for aftermarket struts in general seem to be shortly after installation, and it's obviously long term reliability we want to know.
I already got my front KYB quick struts in the mail, and am waiting to have them installed at the end of this month.
I have 312,000KM on my original struts on my Mazda 6. They are in great shape considering their age. All other major front suspension components have already been replaced and are tight. I could have continued to drive on my original front struts with no major degradation in ride and handling, had I not regularly cornered the vehicle aggressively on rough roads in the past.
At your mileage, I am confident you still have lots of life in your original struts, and they very well may outlast many aftermarket options. Make sure all other suspension components are tight such as tie rods, control arms, end links before you decide for certain.
I totally agree. I had a Mazda 3, and the aftermarket wheel bearings, CV axles, etc., didn't last more than 2-3 years. I had to replace them again and again.
312k on original ones are awesome! Yes, I have replaced all other suspension components except for the struts, and lately the struts started making clunking sounds when driven locally, guess it's about time. But you are right, other than the somewhat annoying noise at low speed, they still work.
Well, keep us posted on how the new KYB work, thanks.
It is highly unlikely that the clunking you hear is coming from your struts.
I heard a clunk in my suspension. It was an end link. Had it replaced. Almost immediately after, the other end link developed play. Then a control arm. Now the sway bar bushings cause an occasional clunk.
Definitely check all your other suspension components again before deciding to change your struts. A mechanic can lift it up in the air and easily pinpoint it for you (Just have them show you what is loose.)
End of this month, once they are installed, I'll report back with my impressions right after they're installed, and again once they have broken in.
I changed front sway bar end links at around 60k mile mark because of a clunk when going over even small bumps. Was very noticeable. With the wheels off couldn't detect any vertical play (maybe due to tension still applied from sway bar) but pushing and pulling in/out on the ball and socket end had play. Due to torn bushings, new control arms followed 6 months later.
SO I literally have replaced sway bar links, bushings, lower control arms, wheel bearings and CV axles in the past years, now the only thing I can think of is the struts, any thoughts?
Tie rods? Make sure to get the suspension checked first.
I don't see how the struts could be clunking, unless it's the strut mounts, which I doubt
Strut mounts do indeed clunk, especially after a lot of miles. There is a bearing inside because the strut rotates when the wheels are steered. Even though the strut dampens, some road shock is transmitted right up the strut to the mount That's why it's prudent to install new mounts with new struts (not talking quick strut assembly here which includes mount). It'd be kind of a bummer to install new struts only and then have the old mounts start clunking later at which point you live with the annoying clunking or take it apart again and finish the job correctly.
I see, didn't know the strut mounts clunked too, thanks!
So the clunking does not sound like the bad end links, it is more minor and with a higher frequency, like if you tap with your nails on the table quickly when going over bumpy roads.
Are the struts still salvageable if this is the case?
@Bitterlemon, @GFrosty
I drove about a mile back from the mechanic after finally getting my original front struts replaced. (332k km)
Doing some light cornering at low speed through my neighborhood, handling has improved drastically. Steering is a bit heavier, much more responsive at turn in (will need to get used to it), carries speed through the corners effortlessly compared to before, and also feels smoother. They are firm - still need to be broken in.
I sure could have gotten more life out of my original struts. I wore them out quickly from hard cornering.
I can do another update about performance at higher speeds, different types of corners, etc. if interested.
Yeah, I hate a wallowing suspension. While the CX-5 is no thoroughbred, it does have fairly sprightly handling if the parts are all to-spec.
Am currently at 127Kmi on my 2016.5 CX-5, and I'm anticipating that after 150Kmi on the clock I'll be swapping-in new shocks front and rear, along with whatever control arms and anti-sway links are showing the need for new.
Last summer, I did the front lower control arms and tie rod ends, to erase an increasingly-loud clunk in the front right corner. Handling got right back to 'factory', after that fix. But the shocks are clearly losing some of their 'zip' and will get replaced within the next ~30Kmi or so (more than a couple years' of driving for me). Keeping ahead of the maintenance curve, basically.
Likely going with the Koni Special Active shocks.
8745-1346L
KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.
8745-1346R
KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.
8045-1347
KONI is the world leader in adjustable shock absorber technology with over 50 years of worldwide racing success.
