Monroe Reflex Shocks?

[davidx2000]

Has any one installeld the Monroe Reflex SUV shocks? I'm looking to use these to replace stock. I have about 73,000 on it, just bought it with 59,000 in June 2004. I have a rear shock leaking and want to replace all 4 corners with new.

I see most here recommend the Bilsteins. The guys I've talked to selling shocks suggest the Monroe's and say they have the variable valveing compensating for on and off-road driving.

Seeking opinions!

[Schludwiller]

Originally Posted by davidx2000

I see most recommend the Bilsteins.

Yes, you usually get what you pay for. Wish I could help on the Monroe's but you're the first Xterra owner I've heard mention them in 4 years. Lifetime warranties don't connote great ride/performance as far as I'm concerned. It's kind of like 100k warranties on tires, basically you get rock hard rubber which is why they last so long and have terrible traction and response.

[davidx2000]

All I've seen in here and other Xterra groups, is Bilstein Bilstein and Bilstein. However, when I've called to locate Bilsteins for my X, everyone recommends the Monroes. I've asked why and the their 1st response is the lifetime warranty, harshness of the the Bilstein ride and cost.

The shops I've talked to say the Reflex's ride nice and have variable valving like the Bilsteins. Smooth on pavement and takes the bumps well of road. So I'm looking for some solid answers those that have had X's a while. I've only owned my since June 2004.

My gut says buy Bilstein!

'm just looking for a second opinion from guys that know X's and can suggest that best value. I'm not a hard core 4x4'er, enjoy getting "her" dirty now and then, but most driving is hwy or city. I don't mind the bumps and jolts of the stock shocks, so I'd probalby buy the OEM Bilsteins or the 10% valving.

Thanks for any input or feedback!

[davidx2000]

Well, I installed the Monroe's this weekend and am happy with the ride and performance on road so far. They ride tight like a new factory shock, you feel the road as expected in this truck. It corners very well with little body roll, much like a sports car, and better than my factory shocks with nearly 75,000 miles on them. It's easier to drive on the mountain roads near me. I'm happy with them so far.

[superblackxterra]

I have a question about the shocks.. how is the quality of calmini shocks? I'm looking to replace my cause i have the ARB bumper and i'm thinking it a little to much weight and i just dont want it to drag. Plus my tires rub when i turn sometimes... any ideas?

[Schludwiller]

Originally Posted by superblackxterra

I have a question about the shocks.. how is the quality of calmini shocks? I'm looking to replace my cause i have the ARB bumper and i'm thinking it a little to much weight and i just dont want it to drag. Plus my tires rub when i turn sometimes... any ideas?

that's not a shock issue. Your problem is with your torsion bars. Either you need to adjust them up more, or replace them with heavier duty bars. Do a search for "t-bars" or "torsion bars" and you'll find tons of info as this is a common issue with people who've either lifted or put additional weight on the front of the vehicle.

Regarding Calmini, I'm not sure who makes their shocks for them. They just paint them blue.

[superblackxterra]

Really? The shocks wouldn't be a problem if even they were the orginal shocks? it only rubs when i turn right, so does that mean my right torsion bar need adjusting? or left? if so it is easy or should i bring it to someone? I was looking into getting bilstein B46-1099-HO for front and be3-6422-HO for the rear? no good?

[Schludwiller]

Originally Posted by superblackxterra

Really? The shocks wouldn't be a problem if even they were the orginal shocks? it only rubs when i turn right, so does that mean my right torsion bar need adjusting? or left? if so it is easy or should i bring it to someone? I was looking into getting bilstein B46-1099-HO for front and be3-6422-HO for the rear? no good?

What rubs? The tire? Where does it rub?

The OEM shocks are shot in about 15,000 miles. They're crap, which is why you see so many people raving about the ride improvement after getting Bilsteins. You could measure your frame height on level ground from the lower control arm pivot bolt to the ground to check if the t-bars are out of adjustment. There's a more precise way, but it should be fine for what you're looking for. T-bars control ride height not shocks. There are lots of installation tips here. I have an old how-to on my web site www.xterra4x4.com, but there is a more up to date description on www.nissanoffroad.net. Read it and see if you feel comfortable doing it yourself.

I doubt you'll want anything other than the stock replacement Bilsteins unless you offroad.

Here's part numbers for the shocks.

Bilstein P/N's
Front:

B46-1099-H1 4X2 (+10% for 4X4)
B46-1099-H2 4X4 (stock equivalent)
B46-1099-H0 4X4 (+20% valved for extra weight of winch) yellow cylinder body only for this part number

Rear:

BE5-6253-H0 (+20%)
BE3-6422-H0 (stock)
F4-B46-2126-H0 (+20% for use without rear sway bar and with 3 inches of lift)
F4-BE5-6242-H0 (+20% for use without rear sway bar and with 3 inches of lift) silver cylinder body only for this part number

[superblackxterra]

Man, i was up all night trying to find something about trosion bar on an xterra. That sit is very helpfull. I"m going to look at my adjustment bolts and see if i can turn them tigher. but the weather is a little bit chilly now but i'll give it a try. What happens if i tighten to much? cuase all i need is about an inch.


Again thanks for your help, i wouldn't have even known or think about trosion bars. I'll take a pic from before and after and try to post them.

As far as shocks go i'll still going to replace my old ones. WHen my tire rubs it rubs behind the tire as it turned, so hopefully tighten the bar will do it.

[Schludwiller]

Make sure you take weight off the tire before adjusting the torsion bar (jack up that side of the frame). It can just be barely off the ground, but will make things much easier. Also make sure and back off the adjuster a decent distance before you start tightenting.

If you have to adjust an inch in your suspension you should consider getting an alignment afterwards. If it was me, I'd get the shocks and install them and adjust my t-bars all at the same time and have an alignment scheduled for Monday morning after I got the work done on the weekend.

[superblackxterra]

Ok, you were right. Tighting the torsion bars did the trick. My trucks was 14 1/4 from the ground to the frame just behind the wheel. I got it up to 14 3/4 and the rubbing stopped. I tired to get the alignment done today after the ajustment but the place could lossen or tighten my tie rod, cuase i swayed to the left. He tried to fire them up but it was a no go. I have to order new tie rods in order to get the alignment perfect. Do you know of any good places to get them?

As far as the shocks go i'll be ordering slowing i think cause i'm a college student ... ( broke) so i'm going to get the front ones first then get the rears. What do you think?

[Schludwiller]

www.spencerlowracing makes some very solid ones. But you would be fine going with Nissan ones to save money (although I haven't priced them lately). Maybe cruise the new nissan parts suppliers on-line and see what they've got.