i don't usually complain about the little things, but these monroe shocks pissed me off - all over a 1 cent manufacturing component, and an obvious lack of testing their product installation in the real world.

i bought a new set of shocks for the wifey's 98 explorer from amazon for about $30 each. Monroe Sensa-Trac.

the fronts have the top stud, and to hold the stud stationary, you have two choices: the little flat at the top of the stud, or the welded-on nut at the top of the top cylinder. depending on your application, you should be able to use either.

to remove the old shocks, i removed the rubber inner fender skirt, put a wrench on the top nut, and then a deep socket and long extension on the top stud. removal was simple, just like it was supposed to be.

to install the new shocks, i installed the rubber washer and cap on the stud, positioned them in the hole, attached the bottom bolts loosely, cut the strap, and let them rise into position. installed the top rubber washer, cap, and nut and went to tighten them up. should be easy.... wait, why won't his fit??????? what's this - NO USABLE NUT.

the nut that's welded on the top of the cylinder is only about 1/8 inch tall, which might barely be enough - EXCEPT !!!!!!! IT HAS A FAT RING OF WELD BEAD AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE SKINNY NUT.

the nut is completely unusable. cheap chinese crap !!!

its such a thin area, no normal wrench, pliers, or vise grips will fit in the little space. so now you have to resort to either some kind of shim, needle nose vise grips, strap wrench, or something else, all because they don't weld on a decent 2 cent nut. or test the installation of their product.

if they tested their product, they'd know that the average shade tree Joe is no longer having fun...

now before you say, just use 2 wrenches on the top stud. one large and one small and do all your work from the top side. nope. can't be done. there is no room inside the engine bay at that top stud to even get one hand and one wrench, much less two.

OEM vs Monroe.

 

All I can say it that sucks! What did you end up doing?

 

needle nose vise grips.
i rooted around the tool box and found a solution, but it pissed me off that they don't provide a welded on nut that works. $30-40 shock and they spend 1 cent on a nut that doesn't work instead of 2 cents on one that would.

cheap-*** 1/8 inch tall nut..

 

I looked on RockAuto and there are many different part #'s for sensa tracs for a 98 exploder. You sure you got the right ones? After all they are from Amazon. I would be curious to match them up at a parts store , and see if what you bought on Amazon were not seconds that did not pass QC.

 

yeah, i'm sure its the right part number.
i checked several sites, including Rockauto, Advance, O'reilly, and the monroe web site application guide. the reason for the numerous part numbers is 2wd vs 4wd, and electronic ride control vs not.

i don't think they were seconds. new boxes, sealed, not marked special in any way. I'm just pissed at them for cheapening it down to a ridiculous level.

 

I hear ya bud. I've used Monroe shocks for a long time on all my vehicles and others, and have never had an issue. But this is a different world now, and sorry to say as you know, it sucks.

 

I've used Monroe and Gabriel for over 40 years and never had an issue. But to save a few pennies, it is offshore manufacturing and redesigning to save materials. Have not run into that problem, but I will make a habit of continuing to open the box at parts store and look at part. Online ordering, I will quickly return as "improper match" for an issue such as that. Guess we are in a "buyer beware" world.

Glad you were able to find a work around - hate to think of removing them later....

 

Write a letter to Monroe (someone high up) and include the pictures. Not an e-mail, but an actual letter. Don't use terse language, but express your displeasure at how they are currently cutting corners and explain how you've been a satisfied customer up until now. Also mention that you've been spreading the word on the automotive forums you frequent.

Chances are you will get someone's attention who will rectify the situation.

 

I just use an impact to tighten them.......