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Monroe vs Bilstien Shocks

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
Just wondering what you folks are using on your trucks. I've got 89k miles on my Dodge one-ton and know I'll be due for new ones at some time (Monroe's are currently in my truck). I recently had one shock removed and it appeared serviceable for now (of course, the other three could be bad).

In pricing new shocks I found Bilstien's are not quite twice the price of Monroe's. Questions:

1. Are Bilstiens worth the extra cost? ($73 vs $44)

2. About how many miles are you getting before shock replacement?

The original Monroe's have held up pretty well IMHO but if there are good reasons for changing to Bilstien please let me know.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)
38 REPLIES 38

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
apr67 wrote:
Buy from a national chain, Sears, Firestone, Goodyear and then you should be covered pretty much nation wide.


Yep, I had a Firestone dealer perform the work today. So far I'm pleased with the results. The Monroe shocks (yellow) were a good choice. I was charged about $120 for the installation. Another shop quoted $85 but he was so busy I couldn't get in (he didn't take appointments). So it was worth it to spend a little more to get in and out right away.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)

apr67
Explorer
Explorer
Buy from a national chain, Sears, Firestone, Goodyear and then you should be covered pretty much nation wide.
2017 Thor Hurricane 34J
Gone-2014 Chevy Express 3500
Gone-2016 Jayco White Hawk 32DSBH
Gone-2013 Keystone Bullet 294BHS
Gone-2007 National SurfSide 34DE
Gone-2006 ForestRiver Sunseeker 2900LTD
Gone-1994 Fleetwood PaceArrow
Gone-1978 Kit RoadRanger

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:
mr. ed wrote:
Well, I ordered the Monroe gas shocks today from Advance Auto. I contacted a local shop that will install them for est. $85. I was leaning towards Bilsteins a little after reading the various posts but decided the Monroe's will be satisfactory for my needs. Thanks to all who responded...

I'm also interested in the Monroe steering stabilizer. There is only one model available which evidently fits a variety of Dodge trucks.


If your not going to install them yourself you would be better off to have the shop installing them also order them. Yes you will be paying a little more but when it comes time to replace them again under warranty you won't have to pay for the install. Monroe will reimburse a shop for labor but not an individual. Something to think about.

Don


Thanks for the info, Don. The shop I'm using is in an area I'm visiting and I'll be moving on to another location after the work is done. That being so, it's a moot point since I won't be anywhere near the original shop.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
mr. ed wrote:
Well, I ordered the Monroe gas shocks today from Advance Auto. I contacted a local shop that will install them for est. $85. I was leaning towards Bilsteins a little after reading the various posts but decided the Monroe's will be satisfactory for my needs. Thanks to all who responded...

I'm also interested in the Monroe steering stabilizer. There is only one model available which evidently fits a variety of Dodge trucks.


If your not going to install them yourself you would be better off to have the shop installing them also order them. Yes you will be paying a little more but when it comes time to replace them again under warranty you won't have to pay for the install. Monroe will reimburse a shop for labor but not an individual. Something to think about.

Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

mr__ed
Explorer
Explorer
Well, I ordered the Monroe gas shocks today from Advance Auto. I contacted a local shop that will install them for est. $85. I was leaning towards Bilsteins a little after reading the various posts but decided the Monroe's will be satisfactory for my needs. Thanks to all who responded...

I'm also interested in the Monroe steering stabilizer. There is only one model available which evidently fits a variety of Dodge trucks.
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
Life is fragile. Handle with prayer.

2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG (sold)
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition (sold)

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks Don, I'm about ready to order a set of Monroe Reflex shocks from Advance Auto Parts. I'd prefer the Monroe Gas Magnum but Monroe doesn't make them for the rear of my truck for some reason.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
From what I was told your vehicle car or truck should not bounce or rebound more then one and a half times over any bump. A shock dampens or controls the bounce, sway and dive during braking.

By the way a light oil film at the top near the piston is not a sign of a leak! If you have oil and dirt along the tube then you have a piston seal failure and your shocks should be replaced.

Steve with HD 250/2500 and up trucks it is hard to tell as the springs on these trucks are stiff. I use the 50,000 mile rule and just replace them there, unless I see oil/dirt all over the shock or strut.

Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
I remember that Don. How do you determine when your shocks are done? My truck still rides stiff. It doesn't porpoise or bounce but it sure is getting jiggly. That's the only indication I'm getting that they may be worn out.
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
.
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

Perrysburg_Dodg
Explorer
Explorer
Cummins12V98 wrote:
spike99 wrote:
I previously bought Monroe shocks and "at best" they lasted 12 months. Will never buy their brand again.


I have had Monroes on trucks in the past. They got weak but never leaked so they would not warrant them.


Who told you they wouldn't replace them, Monroe sure didn't. Parts store managers want to make money as their pay is tied to the sales of the store or stores they manage. Do you think maybe just maybe he slipped you the ole greased willy and not Monroe? I have bought a lot of shocks over the years and have never had any problems with Monroe.


OK this subject came up back in April and Hannibal had an issue with his Monroe shocks were the parts manager told him he could only get "one replacement set". I had told him that was incorrect and even called Monroe based out of Monroe Mi 40 miles north of me. This is what I sent him in a PM.


"Talked to a Monroe customer service rep and was told their coverage is to the original owner for as long as you own that vehicle and they manufacture that product. She said if anyone has been told differently have them contact Monroe directly.

So if you had to pay for a replacement set call them and see about getting a refund. I would have the manager call Monroe himself to verify this and then ask for a replacement set if your do. And yes you can get a new set every 50,000 miles or any time a shock is leaking."

Since we were unable to make our Outer Banks trip it looks like I will be replacing the shocks sometime in October. You should replace your shocks every 50,000 miles not 100,000 or more. Funny how you can become use to the poor ride of your vehicle. Then post I replaced my OE shocks with brand XYZ and they ride 100 times better then the old shocks. Well :S the old shocks where warn out, and if your towing they will wear out sooner just like EVERYTHING else on your truck.

Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.

Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Explorer III
I replaced my shocks with the Monroe LT Sensa Trac's2.5 years and 25,000 miles ago (half of which were serious towing miles on my 06 F-150. The ride and performance improvement have been nothing short o awesome. They came with a Lifetime warranty. I would buy them again in a heartbeat :C

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
srt20 wrote:
The blue and yellow Bilsteins ride better empty? I'm not worried about loaded ride, I very very rarely have the truck loaded anymore.


On my Ram 3500 Dually they perform MUCH better than stock in ALL conditions.
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

srt20
Explorer
Explorer
The blue and yellow Bilsteins ride better empty? I'm not worried about loaded ride, I very very rarely have the truck loaded anymore.

Hannibal
Explorer
Explorer
Here's a video from the Bilstein website. It looks to be from the '70s. He sayeth they last 100k miles and have a lifetime warranty.

http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/filme/vintage_howitworks/vintagebilst...
2020 F250 STX CC SB 7.3L 10spd 3.55 4x4
2010 F250 XLT CC SB 5.4L 5spdTS 3.73
ex '95 Cummins,'98 12v Cummins,'01.5 Cummins,'03 Cummins; '05 Hemi
2017 Jayco 28RLS TT 32.5'