Koni FSD cheaper alternative- Monroe Reflex shocks

I reused the originals. Even with 178k on them they were fine. Springs will continue to work as good as the day they were made providing they haven't been over-stretched or compressed. When measured mine were still exactly the same length as specified from new.

Part of the reason for re-using SE flavour springs is that I'm fitting 17" wheels soon, and didn't want to have the triple whammy of firmer suspension + firmer springs + low profile tyres equalling a boneshaking ride. Hopefully, the allegedly slightly softer Monroe's with SE springs will mean a bearable ride....
 
I think I'm also going to go for the Monroe reflex shock upgrade. My nearside front standard shock is on its way out so I figured that as I've got to change it I may as well go for the upgrade considering the price. To start with I'm just going to upgrade the front two. Please could you confirm if the following is what I need to order to upgrade only the FRONT two :):

8Z0 412 301 - front bump stop (2 pieces) £10.97 + vat each - the black plastic part of mine were split.

6 N0 412 249 C - strut bearing (2 pieces) £11.88 + vat each- the originals broke apart as the strut was being taken apart.

N 102 078 03 - screw (4 pieces) Supersedes to N10207804 £1.95 + vat each ***note- the original list recommends 4 of these- you only need 2 as it's the bottom front shock bolt and there's only one for each front shock***
N 101 064 02 - nut (4 pieces) £0.84 + vat each- the nuts for the above bolts.***again, the original list recommends 4 of these- you only need 2***

N 019 530 3 - screw (6 pieces) £1. 41 + vat each- these are the front strut top mount bolts- worth replacing as the old ones were a little corroded. You don't HAVE to replace these but if you're putting the new strut back in on your own as I did it's tricky to hold the strut in place with one hand from underneath and get the first couple of bolts in from above with the other. New bolts just went in easier.
Also, I'm planning on fitting to new SE springs. Are you still happy with the right height using your SE springs with the Monroes? I see you believe the ride height is even all round but I noticed nuttinnew commented that when he did the change he thought the car was raised at the front just like the FSDs?

I'm also going to fit the Meyle HD drop links at the same time.

I'd be greatful if you could advise on any of the above, I will then proceed and order the kit :)

Cheers Rob.
 
chumsofmanutd said:
I think I'm also going to go for the Monroe reflex shock upgrade. My nearside front standard shock is on its way out so I figured that as I've got to change it I may as well go for the upgrade considering the price. To start with I'm just going to upgrade the front two. Please could you confirm if the following is what I need to order to upgrade only the FRONT two :):

8Z0 412 301 - front bump stop (2 pieces) £10.97 + vat each - the black plastic part of mine were split.

6 N0 412 249 C - strut bearing (2 pieces) £11.88 + vat each- the originals broke apart as the strut was being taken apart.

N 102 078 03 - screw (4 pieces) Supersedes to N10207804 £1.95 + vat each ***note- the original list recommends 4 of these- you only need 2 as it's the bottom front shock bolt and there's only one for each front shock***
N 101 064 02 - nut (4 pieces) £0.84 + vat each- the nuts for the above bolts.***again, the original list recommends 4 of these- you only need 2***

N 019 530 3 - screw (6 pieces) £1. 41 + vat each- these are the front strut top mount bolts- worth replacing as the old ones were a little corroded. You don't HAVE to replace these but if you're putting the new strut back in on your own as I did it's tricky to hold the strut in place with one hand from underneath and get the first couple of bolts in from above with the other. New bolts just went in easier.
Also, I'm planning on fitting to new SE springs. Are you still happy with the right height using your SE springs with the Monroes? I see you believe the ride height is even all round but I noticed nuttinnew commented that when he did the change he thought the car was raised at the front just like the FSDs?

I'm also going to fit the Meyle HD drop links at the same time.

I'd be greatful if you could advise on any of the above, I will then proceed and order the kit :)

Cheers Rob.
Click to expand...

The list of parts above was all I needed for my car. As far as ride height goes, the struts are exactly the same length as the original factory units, so as long as you're buying original spec SE springs the ride height will be the same.

I also fitted new Meyle droplinks at the same time...
 
Thanks Jason and Pompeydave. Shocks now ordered and I've purchased the Meyle droplinks from AVS. Hoping to fit later this week :)

Cheers Rob.
 
For reference I've just had fitted new Monroe Reflex shocks all round and new Audi springs, Meyle drop links etc. Replaced 150k, 10yr old original suspension (inc broken rear shock), including all parts as suggested earlier in this thread. Local garage did it for £270 labour. (they did say it was a pain...). Approx total cost = £167 for dampers + £240 for springs + £26 for droplinks + £110 for Audi parts + £270 labour to fit = £813.
It does feel tighter than it did before, and I can go over speed bumbs slightly faster but I can't honestly say it feels any comfier, if anything I'd say the damping is actually marginally worse. They may need time to bed in a little. If anyone around Manchester wants to do direct comparison with FSD's then please feel free to PM. I don't drive like a spanner anymore as 90% of the time there's 2 nippers in the back, so I can't comment on what it feels like at maximum attack.
Slightly deeper rubber going on next (185/55/R16's) to replace the 185/50/R16's to see if that aids comfort at all.
Dave, a bit thanks anyway for listing doing the leg work and listing the part numbers etc...
Russ
 
Hi, sorry about the delay in replying, I've been busy with a new job and also wanted to give the new shocks time to 'bed in' before reporting back.

So far I have only replaced the front shocks with Monroe Reflex Heavy duty sport for my 1.4 petrol. My experience slightly contradicts the above which is interesting! The springs were replaced with Audi SE's and I also replaced the ARB links with Meyles HD's and carried out the polo ARB bush mod, as the originals had been slipping on the bar . The results are good, so much so that when I get chance I plan on also upgrading my rear shocks. The ride quality is very noticably improved and the roll on corners is also a lot less. The ride height is unchanged so this supports what you had already stated from your own experience.

Overall, I am glad I took the plunge and made the change. I look forward to even more improvement when I upgrade the rears! :)

Thanks for your advice and review of the Monroe's as without it I would never have gone ahead with the upgrade.

Cheers Rob.
Pompeydave said:
Rob, how did you get on with the Monroes?
Click to expand...
 
Hi All

I'm just waiting for the last couple of parts to arrive to fit my Monroe Dampers front and rear. Weather and last few parts parts permitting or course. I’m hoping to get them on at the weekend.

Monroe Front E4998
Monroe Rear E1309
Meyle front links from AVS
Meyle Strut bearings and top mounts 100 412 0029/S (£20.10 per set + £7.99 delivery) from Amazon
Bump stops nuts and bolts from Audi

I'm collecting a set of 1.4 petrol springs(for OSS) that I bought from Fbi. Hopefully with Schnelletrecker advice this could work for the shocking roads in Edinburgh cobble’s and all. I will update you once fitted and they have settled down a little.

Happy Daze when the sun shines

TDI 90 SE with OSS
 
tdige said:
Hi All

I'm just waiting for the last couple of parts to arrive to fit my Monroe Dampers front and rear. Weather and last few parts parts permitting or course. I’m hoping to get them on at the weekend.

Monroe Front E4998
Monroe Rear E1309
Meyle front links from AVS
Meyle Strut bearings and top mounts 100 412 0029/S (£20.10 per set + £7.99 delivery) from Amazon
Bump stops nuts and bolts from Audi

I'm collecting a set of 1.4 petrol springs(for OSS) that I bought from Fbi. Hopefully with Schnelletrecker advice this could work for the shocking roads in Edinburgh cobble’s and all. I will update you once fitted and they have settled down a little.

Happy Daze when the sun shines

TDI 90 SE with OSS
Click to expand...

Any news Tidge?

I'm about to press the order button on the Monroes based on Dave and Rob's feedback so far. Any views you have would be welcome.

Cheers

Simon
 
Hi Simon

I have fitted it all it took a bit of patients but its all on and working. I have not really completed many miles in yet. But so far so good a the dampers are excellent and cope very well with the cobbled streets. It's always going to be hard to try the right balance with comfort and handling. If I was to change anything else it might be slightly lower Springs as there is still a bit to much roll for me on the corners or maybe 17' wheels might help I not sure. But I know before I do it will affect the comfort. It's a tough balancing act based on personal preference. I would recommend the Monroes as far as dampers are very good. I remember a lecturer once saying shock absorbers should not be named so as they dampen the oscillations the springs take the shock how true this is I doing know but it makes sense but the Monroe's do the damping stuff very well.

Good luck if you go for them. I would go for them again if it was me but like I say though it's a personal choice and there are lots to choose from.

Cheers

Tdige (sent from phone on the train to Paralympics)
 
tdige said:
Hi Simon

I remember a lecturer once saying shock absorbers should not be named so as they dampen the oscillations the springs take the shock how true this
Click to expand...

tdige - yes you are correct, the spring should really be called the shock absorber as it absorbs the initial shock of the wheel hitting a bump/pothole and it's the dampers job to damp out this initial movement and subsequent rebound.

And as you also correctly say suspension is often a choice as to what side of the comfort/handling line you want to be.

Andy B
 
After saying only two weeks ago that I didnt plan to spend money on things like suspension changes I then read this thread and bought a set of Monroes today. As my car has only done 36k miles I plan to stay with the SE standard springs (unless the experts think that is a mistake). What are the implied benefits of switching to the Meyle front links, strut bearings and top mounts over sticking with the standard stuff? Got a set of 16 inch wheels to come too (moving down from 17") - still undecided on what size tyre to go for though as a balance between ride comfort and handling, any experiences would be welcome...so much for not spending money!
Keith
 
huytonman - I'd think the Monroe's should work pretty well with the standard springs as that's what they've been made for although I couldn't comment on any front end lifting they may impart.

The Meyle links will tighten up the steering feel and and any on/off throttle slack you may have and at ~£25 a pair not too much of an expense either. The bearings/top mounts are standard and a like for like replacement and will noticeably smooth out any slack/noises etc that occur with wear. And again at £25 a side not too pricey either, see http://www.vwspares.co.uk/a2suspension.php

Both are just wise things to do, with no extra fitting cost as these items will have to come out anyway when replacing the shocks, and you will notice a difference.

Cheers,

Andy B
 
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