Monroe Reflex struts - Terrano

[rosek]

Hi Guys,

I have a 99 Terrano Regulus which has a leaking front strut. I am trying to weight up my options for replacement. I would like to improve the onroad handing as it rolls and dives considerably compared to say a Surf (obviously influenced by the strut). I realise that the Terrano naturally is a bit more "rolly-polly" that a Surf but I want an improvement.

I dont need anything too heavy duty as my offroading is limited to farm + track access. I also want to keep cost down as I may sell it towards the end of the year.

I am currently looking at replacing the front struts with Monroe reflex.

So I have some questions;
- Opinions on Monroe Reflex?
- Do i need to replace springs as well? How much difference will this make?
- Other brands / options, keeping in mind I want to limit my spend?
- How do others compare onroad handling between Surf and Terrano?

Thanks in advanced,

Kim

[4wdnuts]

hi kim

i to am looking into replacing the suspension in my 95 terrano. i have the smae problem as you by the sound of it with that "rolly polly" feeling. ive priced up springs and shocks and for the whole lot looks like it will be just under $1000. if you do go ahead with the munroes let me know what difference they make.

cheers

scott

[radar21]

monroes will stiffin it up a little and for cost arn't a bad shock but i think gabreil shocks arn't to bad on price and quality ether ive got monroes in my surf and they serve me well

[albundy]

Have you considered Old Man Emu fom ARB?

[rosek]

I am open to all suggestions. The reason I am first looking at the Monroe Reflex's is that I have the opportunity to get them at trade.

Of the top of anyones head, what sort of price could I expect for Old Man Emu or Grabriel front struts? Who stocks these brands in Auckland? I have heard alot more about Old Man Emu than the Monroes so I assume they perform better?

Cheers Guys.

[rosek]

I have done a bit of ringing around and these are the prices I've come up with in Auckland:

- Pedders struts $238 inc gst ea
- Old Man Emu ~ $160 + gst ea
- Monroe Gas Charge $440 + gst pair
- Monroe Reflex I can get at about the same cost of the Old Man Emu

Do these prices seem reasonable? I am more and more interested in the Old Man Emu as most seem to recommend them over the Monroes and price looks good. Any comments?

Cheers.

[tweake]

how much lift do you have ?

if its lifted then go something like the old man emu etc. if stock proberly better to stay with the likes of monroe.

do the terrano's have rear antisway bar ? been looking at one for the navara to cut out the roll in the rear exspecially when i have a load on.

[rosek]

I am not looking at a lift at this stage as it would mean investing in the rear suspension too. However, I am going to have a good look at the springs this weekend because I think it is sagging ~ 30mm in the front . I have noticed alot of the terranos look as though they sit down in the front so I am not sure If I am being picky or not. If the springs needed replacing too then I would look at a lift.

Hmm, I am not sure about the swaybar I will have a check.

Cheers.

[4wdnuts]

just to carry on with this topic i have gone ahead with

kyb front struts $116 at super cheap when they had 25% off
a set of lifted heavy duty coil springs from chamberlains in chch at $500 for the set

its gone from this


to this


this set up has given me 80mm of lift in the rear and 70mm in the front. i realise its a bit bum high at the moment but with all the camping gear in it and with me always towing a boat or a trailer for the quad bike then im pretty sure this will settle down a bit.

when talking with the guys at chamberlains they said that the rolly polly feeling comes from the trailing arm bushes going soft. if you replace them apparently it makes a big difference. this is next on the list to do along with new rear shocks.

[floatingkiwi]

Ohhh - KYB's? How do you find them? My father had some installed on his 3L surf (Excel-G's)
We HATED them... Donky donk over all the bumps..

[4wdnuts]

they seem to be fine so far. they are alot better than what came out thats for sure. only time will tell i guess

[rosek]

Hey Guys,

I went for a set of Monroe Reflex in the end. Just got the shocks all round and left the springs factory. Handling has improved 100%, although after removing the shocks it was obvious how shattered they were. Its still got the "new shock" feel at the moment and i'm pretty happy so we'll see how long that lasts.

The front springs are sagging a wee bit but the front still seems stiff. I may look at springs at a later stage if I decide to hold on to it for a while.

4wdnuts - that seems like a good price for the setup - how is she on the road after that work?

[4wdnuts]

a billion times better! just need to get those bushes done and she will be all good