Monroe Struts Oem Replacement

[R.Holmes]

I am new to the forum and I am trying to post a topic but seem to be having trouble. Here is another try to post.

I just replaced my struts on my '98 Lexus es300. I replaced the OEM's with Monroe Sensatrac. I have noticed that I have a swishing sound from the struts when I go over speed bumps or over a dip like a street water drain or whenever the struts are compressed and decompressed. Has anyone experienced this with Monroe struts? I also have noticed that the ride is stiffer than the OEM's.

Any help will be appreciated. If the problem can't be solved, I will replace them with OEM struts, (Which I don't want to do if I don't have to)

[The Tall Guy]

I don't know about the sound coming from the struts. If it is LOUD, im sure its abnormal, but as for making some kind of noise (slight) i bet is normal. About the stiffness of the ride I think you might be used to the old, worn struts you just replaced with brand new ones. My 2 cents. Sorry I couldnt help more :)

I am new to the forum and I am trying to post a topic but seem to be having trouble. Here is another try to post.

I just replaced my struts on my '98 Lexus es300. I replaced the OEM's with Monroe Sensatrac. I have noticed that I have a swishing sound from the struts when I go over speed bumps or over a dip like a street water drain or whenever the struts are compressed and decompressed. Has anyone experienced this with Monroe struts? I also have noticed that the ride is stiffer than the OEM's.

Any help will be appreciated. If the problem can't be solved, I will replace them with OEM struts, (Which I don't want to do if I don't have to)

[R.Holmes]

I don't know about the sound coming from the struts. If it is LOUD, im sure its abnormal, but as for making some kind of noise (slight) i bet is normal. About the stiffness of the ride I think you might be used to the old, worn struts you just replaced with brand new ones. My 2 cents. Sorry I couldnt help more :)

I am new to the forum and I am trying to post a topic but seem to be having trouble. Here is another try to post.

I just replaced my struts on my '98 Lexus es300. I replaced the OEM's with Monroe Sensatrac. I have noticed that I have a swishing sound from the struts when I go over speed bumps or over a dip like a street water drain or whenever the struts are compressed and decompressed. Has anyone experienced this with Monroe struts? I also have noticed that the ride is stiffer than the OEM's.

Any help will be appreciated. If the problem can't be solved, I will replace them with OEM struts, (Which I don't want to do if I don't have to)

Thanks for your input. My original problem was I bought new tires and the ride was terrible above 70 MPH. Dealer told me that I needed struts so we replaced them. Still had the same problem as with the oem struts. After a couple more rebalanceing of the tires, problem was solved and the ride was like gliding on air. This was the same ride that I had before changing the struts. A friend of mine has a '97 with about the same mileage and his Lexus does not have the swishing sound that the monroes have. He still has the oem struts. I have an appointment with the installer to replace the monroe's with a set of new ones. Hope this solves the problem. Ps: I can put up with a little swishing but not this loud.

[lenore]

The swishing sound sounds bad to me, Good shocks dont do that, I would have gone with KYB shocks personally, I put them on my RX300 and they are great...

[Toysrme]

Call them up & say you think the gas is leaking out & see if they'll do it again.

Another mechanic told me when I was about to get some put on that even the third tier high end monroe struts are inferior to the OEM's. Commonly the first or second tier are used to replace the OEM kyb's so... :\ I skipped it & just kept my old blown struts. hah

[Lexlogic]

Thanks for your input. My original problem was I bought new tires and the ride was terrible above 70 MPH. Dealer told me that I needed struts so we replaced them. Still had the same problem as with the oem struts. After a couple more rebalanceing of the tires, problem was solved and the ride was like gliding on air. This was the same ride that I had before changing the struts. A friend of mine has a '97 with about the same mileage and his Lexus does not have the swishing sound that the monroes have. He still has the oem struts. I have an appointment with the installer to replace the monroe's with a set of new ones. Hope this solves the problem. Ps: I can put up with a little swishing but not this loud.

I replaced the OEM's with Monroe Sensatrac front end. Went over bumps no loud sound with my car. Lifetime warranty shocks change them again, hope you do the work? In two more weeks, I will be replacing the rear shocks ( alot of work back there) have to remove the seats! I hope it isn't the forward or rear engine mounts? My lower ball joint went bad cost $48.00 each with warranty. Let us know if you fix the problem.

[R.Holmes]

This is roymyboy with an update. Went to the installer yesterday. Took a test drive with owner. He said he coulc not hear the swishing sound. (He was driving and did not go over any dips. Just around the corner of the shop, we found a series of dips and sure enough, the first dip, Swissssh. Mechanic lubed all the components (Ball joints, tie rod, struts etc. etc.) 50 to 60% swisssh reduced but still there. Disassembled and reinstalled left strut. 99 % swissh reduction on left side. Did the same thing to the right strut. 99 % reduction. At least on the dips we drove over. I am going to find some residential speed bumps where it showed up the most before. Will keep you informed when I am satisfied. I want my Lexus RIDE!!!!! back. Note: All of my other suspension components are in good shape. 135,000 miles on the car.

[R.Holmes]

Concluded my test drive on residential speed bumps yesterday and am happy to say that I have my Lexus RIDE!! back. Found several different sizes of bumps and not a swish or squeak of any kind. Ride on rough road was good and on the freeway (Especially on San Diego Freeways) was like an air cushion ride. (Even at high speeds)

My advice to others who might experience an unusual ride or handling, (Vibration, Shemmy, sounds, etc,etc.) and suspect struts are the problem, check tire balance and inspect and lub the suspension components. Also, if you replace the struts, (if you do it yourself) is to make sure it is aligned,(not binding in the mount.) I talked to a friend and he told me that he had the same swisshing sound I had and his mechanic came to the conclusion that the struts were mounted with a bind and the swisshing sound was unevern piston movement. (binding on one side.)

Thanks for all of your inputs and I hope this helps others with this type of problem!!!