Rear shocks Monroe Gas-matic #5995

[MMSuperFan]

Monroe now lists a shock from their gas-matic line for the Marauder. Their item # is 5995.

Any thoughts on Monroe shocks. BTW they cost less than $35 each, not the $80 the LM dealer asks for the OEM replacement.

[Krytin]

Monroe has always been a "good" replacement shock. I have no idea how they compare to the OEM - but at 30k miles it is time to think about replacements front & rear on mine!
Anyone w/opinons or facts?

[gilby04]

Monroe has always been a "good" replacement shock. I have no idea how they compare to the OEM - but at 30k miles it is time to think about replacements front & rear on mine!
Anyone w/opinons or facts?

Monroe is owned by Tenneco.
The Tenneco factory in Cozad, Nebraska, manufactures both aftermarket and OEM shocks, including the Red Ryder used on the F-150.

[Mike Poore]

Monroe now lists a shock from their gas-matic line for the Marauder. Their item # is 5995.

Any thoughts on Monroe shocks. BTW they cost less than $35 each, not the $80 the LM dealer asks for the OEM replacement.

You get what you pay for. I've been buying Koni from Tire Rack. They're 4x in cost, and worth every cent, IMHO.

[MMSuperFan]

You get what you pay for. I've been buying Koni from Tire Rack. They're 4x in cost, and worth every cent, IMHO.

In the "get what you pay for category....nuts to Fomoco....LM dealer wants $110 per shock, Ford dealer only wants $80.

BTW exactly which Koni are you buying from Tirerack, part #...they don't seem to know my MM exists on their lookup tables for shocks.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

You get what you pay for. I've been buying Koni from Tire Rack. They're 4x in cost, and worth every cent, IMHO.

I agree. I've used Monroe shocks on an old Cavalier. I had to replace them after a year or so. They started to leak and bottom out. I'm pretty happy with my Bilsteins so far. Driven for almost 2 years and even autocrossed in 3 events. No problems so far. They are only about $70-80 each. Harder ride though but I like the responsiveness.

[Mike Poore]

[QUOTE=BTW exactly which Koni are you buying from Tirerack, part #...they don't seem to know my MM exists on their lookup tables for shocks.[/QUOTE]
Don't know about the MM, since mine's new, and 4,000 mi. I'd guess the ones for the service Crown Vic, but there's guys here with the correct info. My latest install was on an '02 F-150 Sport 6 1/2 Flairside, (Lightning look alike). Night & day difference. A word of advice though: don't get carried away and adjust them to the highest setting. It gives new meaning to the term, stiff. There may be a better price than Tirerack, but I like the fast service and expertise, plus, they're a sponsor here.

While I'm at it, some advice to everybody. You're driving one of the world's best performance sedans, and, no matter, if it's Bilsteins or Koni, perhaps others, shocks are the best bang for the buck, when it comes to performance enhancements. Oh, yeh, I think you're going to need an 18mm mid-length socket.

[SergntMac]

I didn't anticipate early wear and tear from my OEM shocks and struts, but once I replaced them, my SOTP thought "control, where have you been?" Control slips away from you slowly when shocks and struts wear, it's more an erosion than instant awareness. But, once control is gone, you'll know it.

Take a serious drive in your MM and be hypercritical with your impressions. Moving 4500 pounds through twisties causes early wear, I'm on my second set of OEM Tokico gas shocks and struts, and I'm expecting them to last 12-15K at the most. I looked high and low for options and found none. The OEM cost was stiff, but not steep, call our friend Ray "The Dealer," he's a supporting vendor here.

As I recall it, the front struts were more expensive at 79 bucks each, and the rear shocks were 71 bucks each. The ride is priceless, as they say, it will take a hard sell to draw me away from the Tokico's.

When you do replace them, get a 4 wheel alignment too. Major difference in handling, and you may see better tire wear as well...IMHO.

[Zack]

I have 17k on my car now and my shocks on all 4 corners are completely shot. Ill be replacing them over the winter, havent decided what brand yet.

[BillyGman]

Just my opinion here folks....I think the stock shocks or maybe even the Monroe shocks would be just fine as a replacement. For guys like me who want to retain atleast a little bit of ride comfort, I'm sure that the Bilsteins and the Koni's would just be too stiff. If I wanted a car that will pull a 1.00 G around turns then I would've purchased a much smaller and lighter car than the Marauder. I wouldn't have purchased a sedan in the first place.

[Merc-O-matic]

buying New Monroe shocks for 1997 merc 5967 and 5969

[CRUZTAKER]

Mmmm....listening...absorbing. ... ...more please...

[GordonB]

411,
Had the pleasure to meet the Tokico rep at the Motor City Marauders outing to the Ford Proving Grounds in June '04. According to this rep, our Tokico shocks (no struts in the MM) should be good for a LOT MORE than 15K to 30K miles.
If you believe that you have `worn' shocks, I would suggest we contact Tokico and send them a set of 4 (Front & Rear) to test on thier equipment to see how much they have `lost'. These people (Tokico) relly believe in thie product and stand behind it. Just a suggestion to the membership here.

GordonB

[SergntMac]

(no struts in the MM)

Agreed. Front shock and spring are individual parts, but thery are preassembled into a strut before restoration to the car. I wasn't aware of this until I replaced my shocks, the front end has to come down and the spring unloaded and reloaded in a spring compressor, then reinstalled in the car. It's not like the old days, or, as easy as changing the rear shocks. It's a real PITA, and IMHO, not a DYI project.

If you believe that you have `worn' shocks, I would suggest we contact Tokico and send them a set of 4 (Front & Rear) to test on thier equipment to see how much they have `lost'. These people (Tokico) relly believe in thie product and stand behind it. Just a suggestion to the membership here. GordonB

Agreed, great product, great company. Good idea too, send the failed parts back for examination. Unfortunately, mine are in the trash already. Any 411 on how someone could contact this guy?

[O's Fan Rich]

Seems to me that under 36k and needing replacement results in a warranty claim.
I'd take the freebie route.