Monroe Reflex shock absorbers

Ross R75 · 7th December 2013, 11:05

As part of my ongoing upgrade of my car's mechanicals and running gear, I'm thinking of replacing the front and rear dampers and springs. They're 12 years and 105000 miles old now and will be way past their best.

Has anybody fitted Monroe Reflex shock absorbers? They seem to be similar to Koni FSDs and are around the same price as the original Delphi items:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390539204246

SD1too · 7th December 2013, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross R75

Has anybody fitted Monroe Reflex shock absorbers?

I've fitted Monroe struts to another car. They were identical to the OEM parts and Tenneco's technical department were extremely helpful when I discovered that the car had side loaded springs; a development I had not seen before. Years ago I fitted Monroe inserts to my SD1's Macpherson strut front suspension. They were the only ones which fitted properly. So that's a recommendation from me.

Simon

Roverite · 7th December 2013, 14:37

Rover always fitted Monroe S/A during the 1950s and 60s; Rover never skimped on quality. Things probably changed once British Leyland acquired their 'soul' in the late 1960s. Monroe were/are, a very reputable supplier.

Roverite.

75driver · 7th December 2013, 17:10

Ross, Sorry only seen this thread just now.
As part of a recent suspension overhaul, I had fitted Monroe reflex's to the rear. I just wanted to have a set available to hand if the old ones were kaput.
Turned out that the originals were ok, but had new monroes fitted anyway.
Drive was fine on smooth roads, but very harsh on pitted road surfaced. You could really feel the thump of the wheel going into every road imperfection. After doing approx 3k in them, started to feel a small bit better.
Still wasn't satisfied, so changed back to originals today with help from father in law.
The drive back was much better.

So no, I couldn't recommend monroe reflexes as they are a bit too "stiff", and spoil the ride.
Guess it might depend on what type of road you normally drive on though.....
If I find I have to change in the future ill be going to rimmers.
Edit: if my experience turns out to be a one off, and you hear more good reviews than bad, I'll have a 2nd hand set that I'm not quite sure what ill do with yet....

Ross R75 · 8th December 2013, 13:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75driver

Ross, Sorry only seen this thread just now.
As part of a recent suspension overhaul, I had fitted Monroe reflex's to the rear. I just wanted to have a set available to hand if the old ones were kaput.
Turned out that the originals were ok, but had new monroes fitted anyway.
Drive was fine on smooth roads, but very harsh on pitted road surfaced. You could really feel the thump of the wheel going into every road imperfection. After doing approx 3k in them, started to feel a small bit better.
Still wasn't satisfied, so changed back to originals today with help from father in law.
The drive back was much better.

So no, I couldn't recommend monroe reflexes as they are a bit too "stiff", and spoil the ride.
Guess it might depend on what type of road you normally drive on though.....
If I find I have to change in the future ill be going to rimmers.
Edit: if my experience turns out to be a one off, and you hear more good reviews than bad, I'll have a 2nd hand set that I'm not quite sure what ill do with yet....

Sean, that's great feedback. Thanks, you've saved me from an expensive mistake.

OEM Delphi shocks, OEM springs and top mount bearings it is then.

75driver · 8th December 2013, 14:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross R75

Sean, that's great feedback. Thanks, you've saved me from an expensive mistake.

OEM Delphi shocks, OEM springs and top mount bearings it is then.

I'd say that is the correct descision.
For what it's worth, I had been using the monroe dampers in conjunction with kilen springs on the rear. Not sure if the (poor) ride would have been any different if using the Monroe dampers with oem springs. At this stage I'm sticking with kilen springs staying on with re-fitted oem dampers.
Glad to be of help.

bl52krz · 9th December 2013, 23:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

I've fitted Monroe struts to another car. They were identical to the OEM parts and Tenneco's technical department were extremely helpful when I discovered that the car had side loaded springs; a development I had not seen before. Years ago I fitted Monroe inserts to my SD1's Macpherson strut front suspension. They were the only ones which fitted properly. So that's a recommendation from me.

Simon

Fitted these to my SD1 3500. I have still got a brand new one for the SD1.Not saying how i got it though.

DMGRS · 9th December 2013, 23:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross R75

Sean, that's great feedback. Thanks, you've saved me from an expensive mistake.

OEM Delphi shocks, OEM springs and top mount bearings it is then.

It's worthy of note the genuine top mount bearings currently supplied by Rimmers and other outlets are SNR branded, the exact same as I stock.
That's a good few quid saved, as the OEM items aren't cheap!

I ordered a set of OEM items after hearing of issues with cheaper items; this was some time ago well before I had started the Shop. I'd saved the pictures taken before fitting, and all markings/part numbers are identical.
OEM Top Mount Bearings

It's a good idea to go for the OEM suspension parts, too - one of the KYB shock absorbers fitted to my last 75 as part of it's MOT work was leaking after just 3,000 miles.

Jarnoplum · 16th December 2013, 17:34

Hi,
I'm looking for the right part number of the monroe reflex for my zt cdti (if there is any)
The piston of the E4969 is too long for my ZT, apparently this one is only for the 75.
i've found out the hard way.
Anyone?

bl52krz · 16th December 2013, 22:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by SD1too

I've fitted Monroe struts to another car. They were identical to the OEM parts and Tenneco's technical department were extremely helpful when I discovered that the car had side loaded springs; a development I had not seen before. Years ago I fitted Monroe inserts to my SD1's Macpherson strut front suspension. They were the only ones which fitted properly. So that's a recommendation from me.

Simon

I agree with you about the quality of Monroe Struts. I fitted them to my SD1 3500 Van Den Plas, and i have still got one from that era that i bought off someone for posterity thinking it would come in handy for later. Unfortunately the car was written off by some idiot who came out of a side road at some ridiculous speed.

7th December 2013, 11:05	#1
Ross R75 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,535 Thanks: 137 Thanked 229 Times in 156 Posts	Monroe Reflex shock absorbers As part of my ongoing upgrade of my car's mechanicals and running gear, I'm thinking of replacing the front and rear dampers and springs. They're 12 years and 105000 miles old now and will be way past their best. Has anybody fitted Monroe Reflex shock absorbers? They seem to be similar to Koni FSDs and are around the same price as the original Delphi items: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390539204246 __________________ Copperleaf R75 CDT 160

7th December 2013, 17:10	#4
75driver Posted a thing or two Rover 75 saloon, manual. Rover 75 Tourer, Auto. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Newry Posts: 1,783 Thanks: 574 Thanked 443 Times in 371 Posts	Monroe Reflex shock absorbers Ross, Sorry only seen this thread just now. As part of a recent suspension overhaul, I had fitted Monroe reflex's to the rear. I just wanted to have a set available to hand if the old ones were kaput. Turned out that the originals were ok, but had new monroes fitted anyway. Drive was fine on smooth roads, but very harsh on pitted road surfaced. You could really feel the thump of the wheel going into every road imperfection. After doing approx 3k in them, started to feel a small bit better. Still wasn't satisfied, so changed back to originals today with help from father in law. The drive back was much better. So no, I couldn't recommend monroe reflexes as they are a bit too "stiff", and spoil the ride. Guess it might depend on what type of road you normally drive on though..... If I find I have to change in the future ill be going to rimmers. Edit: if my experience turns out to be a one off, and you hear more good reviews than bad, I'll have a 2nd hand set that I'm not quite sure what ill do with yet.... __________________ 2006 75 Contemporary SE diesel manual (#1) 2003 75T Connoisseur SE diesel auto (For Comfort) 2005 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (Marmite duotone ) 2006 75 Connoisseur SE diesel auto (The last one?) 2009 E220 (For a change) 2018 L200 (For Big & Heavy Things) 1976 W114 250 Manual (For Sundays) Last edited by 75driver; 7th December 2013 at 17:41..

7th December 2013, 14:37	#3
Roverite Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Telford Posts: 1,083 Thanks: 653 Thanked 307 Times in 159 Posts	Rover always fitted Monroe S/A during the 1950s and 60s; Rover never skimped on quality. Things probably changed once British Leyland acquired their 'soul' in the late 1960s. Monroe were/are, a very reputable supplier. Roverite.

16th December 2013, 17:34	#9
Jarnoplum Newbie MG ZT 135 CDTI 2003 LHD Saloon Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Leusden, Netherlands Posts: 14 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Hi, I'm looking for the right part number of the monroe reflex for my zt cdti (if there is any) The piston of the E4969 is too long for my ZT, apparently this one is only for the 75. i've found out the hard way. Anyone?