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Strut Choice: Sensen vs KYB vs Monroe

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jzchen, Jun 15, 2020.

  1. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    The Sensen complete strut assembly is much lighter than the KYB version. I kind of ruled out Sensen based on that, equating heavier with stronger/sturdier. (I don't think you're going to get special metal with the pricing on the Sensen units).

    Monroe has a limited lifetime warranty that DOES COVER WEAR OUT. But does not list a complete assembly for the v. It does list 172683 and 172682 for a Scion tC. Interestingly KYB's SR4520 and SR4521 are listed for both the tC and the v. So thinking it may be safe to use the Monroes on the v.

    Thoughts? (Brought the idea up at lunch with my son and he said to contact Monroe with that info and ask).

    Thanks for reading!



    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #1 jzchen, Jun 15, 2020
  2. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Still waiting for a response from Monroe. GAWR on the tC is higher than the Prius v.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #2 jzchen, Jun 16, 2020
  3. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Finally decided to call them. Monroe does not advise to use them on the Prius v. No warranty if they don't work out for you....

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #3 jzchen, Jun 20, 2020
  4. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    I wouldn't put Monroe shocks/struts on any car I own even if they were giving them away along with a free gas card.

    I'm not familiar with Sensen, but I'm sure they're just the cheap no-name crap. Additionally, you'd be replacing quality OEM Toyota springs with more crap.

    So yes, I'd recommend going with KYB -- they will be excellent.
     
    #4 tvpierce, Jun 23, 2020
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  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Sensen is junk.

    Monroe is not wonderful.

    KYB is fine, as far as I know they were the OE builder anyway.
     
    #5 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jun 23, 2020
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  6. flexthatdx

    flexthatdx Junior Member

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    I was looking into the Tein EnduraPro shocks/struts. This is a new product from Tein and not much used in the states yet.
     
    #6 flexthatdx, Jun 24, 2020
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  7. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Thanks guys for sharing your knowledge. And thanks for sharing the Tein options. Looks like they have an adjustable damping style as well, like KONI Sport, which doesn’t make anything for the v.
     
    #7 jzchen, Jun 24, 2020
  8. flexthatdx

    flexthatdx Junior Member

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    If you want the dampening option then you can get the EnduraPro Plus. The benefit I see to these Tein shocks is that you get a better shock than OEM and you can still use your stock springs to retain the OEM height.
     
    #8 flexthatdx, Jun 24, 2020
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  9. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Searching the v part of the forum for "strut" brings up some interesting info. There is a concern regarding the KYB strut making some noise when in reverse. There are two cases where the poster noted they used Monroe OE Spectrum struts, but never came back to update how they worked out. I found absolutely nobody mention they tried the Sensen units.

    I really like the idea of the adjustable damping Tein, but when I read their warranty terms I felt the length is short. Still hoping for a more complete assembly, but I'll comment on my search for that further down.

    SiennaChat has some KYB concerns in the Gen 2. Someone noted that the springs for the Gen 2 complete assembly have an extra coil, which makes for some issues, coil impacts itself on compression causing wear. Solution was to add a rubber hose or the like as a cushion, but in wet weather that starts to squeak. I guess no manufacturer is perfect.

    Regarding the three manufacturers in the thread title, only KYB lists the same complete strut for the similar year Scion tC and Prius v. Sensen lists a complete strut for the Prius v only. Monroe lists for the tC only as I mentioned. KYB lists the exact same upper mount for both applications, but Monroe lists different part numbers for each....


    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #9 jzchen, Jun 27, 2020
  10. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Prius v shocks totally different front and back from Hatchback.
    And the wheel bearings are different.
     
    #10 Tim Jones, Jul 2, 2020
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  11. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    Thanks for that info. I wasn't considering Prius hatchback parts in substitution, but Scion tC front struts, which KYB sells the exact same for both.

    I ended up throwing in the towel on this choice for now. I found a caster adjusting bushing set from SuperPro Bushings Australia and have them on order.

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #11 jzchen, Jul 2, 2020
  12. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    Just put that in for anybody else reading these posts.
     
    #12 Tim Jones, Jul 2, 2020
  13. OpalCorsair

    OpalCorsair New Member

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    I was told at my last oil change that my left front strut is leaking. I have a 2014 Prius V with the Two package. I'm getting the impression I should replace with a KYB strut. Can someone tell me the differences between the various types of struts? Advance Auto Parts has a "Gas Strut" and a slightly more expensive "Excel-G Strut".
     
    #13 OpalCorsair, Jul 30, 2020
  14. Tim Jones

    Tim Jones Senior Member

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    I wasn't either...... but that's how they came. Just make sure the parts are for v..... I had to send back for the correct ones. Soon as you get them take out of the box and check. It's a hassle if you've already tore your car apart.

    Plus: Seems like quite a few prius have one of the rear wheels not correctly aligned with the front....
     
    #14 Tim Jones, Jul 30, 2020
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  15. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Excel-G is a model name used by KYB for their gas struts. I can't tell you what they meant by "gas strut" as a different item.
     
    #15 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jul 30, 2020
  16. jzchen

    jzchen Newbie!

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    @OpalCorsair -. The more expensive one has a 1 yr warranty and the cheaper one has lifetime. They both mention Excel-G.

    @Tim Jones - Still waiting for the darn bushings. Seems like it's going to take a long time...

    moto g(7) power ?
     
    #16 jzchen, Jul 30, 2020
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