Another shock advise thread

[cabri]

09 Grand Cherokee 3.7L (gas) has 130K and I believe that it is time to replace the shocks/struts. Average 25K miles a year - mainly highway.

I do not have the tools/resource to do it myself; but a shop that I trust will install.
They have stated that they can get Monroe for me (probably from NAPA/AutoZone/etc) however, from observing here in the Garage, I think that I can get better quality for an equivalent price.

Simple questions:

• Should I try to get the front struts with the coil springs. Having problem finding one outside of Monroe.
• What guidelines should I use for the capability of the shocks/struts.

I do not do off road driving outside of dirt/gravel. No need for performance and/or heavy duty.

I have looked at Rock Auto and they only seem to have Monroe.
Brands and capability recommendation assistance is greatly appreciated

Brands noticed
Monroe
Gabriel
KYB
Sensen
Rancho

TIA

 

[Vetterin]

Struts up front, shocks in rear. Autozone has Gabriel with rebate which will be just fine for your type of driving. Total cost of parts AR should be around $200. Use your current springs.

 

[Jimzz]

I like KYB for a mid level shock/strut. Monroe is ok but a little lower IMO. KYB also has a rebate now. I just put on some KYB GasAJust on my 2007 Dodge Dakota. Much better and mine only had 80k on them.

Also you mean a 3.7L motor? That's all I see for a V6, outside the 3L diesel.
The rear shocks are easy to replace on your truck, regular wrench's and hand tools will be fine if you want to do yourself. The front struts are more difficult though but I just reused my spring and mount.

 

[Raizinman]

Most shops will not allow you to bring your own parts, as you mentioned that you cannot do this job yourself. For your type of driving, Monroe is just fine and better than OEM. Monroe comes with a lifetime warranty. They will likely last longer than your vehicle. Going too radical will give you a bumpy ride (which your vehicle pretty much already has).

 

[richardycc]

I have a 06 GC with 108k miles, just replaced the rear shocks last night with Monroe Reflex and the ride is a lot tigher as in not all over the place after going over potholes, etc. I wait I did this a lot earlier. A lot of people go with Bilstein, but the Monroe were cheaper, about $110 for both from Advance auto parts. I could've gotten them cheaper from pepboys with the 25% off online code, but didn't want to wait since my local Advance had them in stock. The Bilstein would be about $30 more and probably give a stiffer ride. I didn't want to sink more money into this, so I got the Monroe.

I had to get an electric impact wrench from Lowes to get the lower bolts off, took me about an hour to get both done. The ride is a lot better, almost like when it was new, but now I am thinking about replace both of the front struts, Monroe has a quick-strut all in one kit for our GC, with coupon, I can get it for around $105 each, and I can do that myself without the danger of using and buy a spring compressor. I don't really plan on keeping this SUV for much longer, maybe another yr, so I might not do it.

 

[silicon]

Most shops will not allow you to bring your own parts, as you mentioned that you cannot do this job yourself. For your type of driving, Monroe is just fine and better than OEM. Monroe comes with a lifetime warranty. They will likely last longer than your vehicle. Going too radical will give you a bumpy ride (which your vehicle pretty much already has).

and I am pretty sure your vehicle will need a wheel alignment after the replacement of the struts. Find a small independent shop and let them do the job...i find these chain stores often will take any guy off the street to do a job...thats my experience only though.

 

[richardycc]

just got an email from Advance auto parts with a 35% off max $50 code, so I placed 2 orders for each of the L + R Monroe quick struts...$102/each + tax shipped.