Monroe Load-Adjusting Shocks - Installed

[Rower4VT]

(I thought I would post this on the Pilot board, even though this is an MDX, in hopes this would help someone here.)

I happened to find a pair of "Monroe 58645 Sensa-Trac Load Adjusting Shock Absorbers" on Amazon in "used/like-new" condition for $39 (shipped). I thought that even if it didn't work out, it wouldn't be a huge loss. They arrived today, and of course I couldn't wait until tomorrow to install them. Pretty easy install. Well under an hour. Jack up rear, remove wheels, remove old shocks, and shimmy the new ones in there....that was the toughest part. I needed to line them up as best as possible, and then hammer the lower mount on to the lower stud (mounting point), jack up the spindle about half an inch, then install the upper bolt. Definitely no rubbing or clearance issues after installed.

Here are before (stock) pictures of fender spacing measurement (all measurements were taken from the lower edge of the rim to avoid any inaccuracies due to tire deformation):

Front driver and passenger fenders for reference (odd how the driver fender is a half inch lower than the rest; my '97 RL sits the same way):



Rear driver and passenger fenders (stock):



Monroe load-adjusting shocks installed:



Rear driver and passenger fenders (after install); overall about a 5/8 inch lift:



Side view (after install):


I did drive the MDX around for a few miles on bumpy roads to try and settle the coils on the shocks a bit before I took those "after" pictures. I will post later if I find that the shocks/coils have settled additionally.

One thing I did notice is that the MDX seems to handle marginally better now. I took a few corners hard (though I don't usually drive that aggressively) and there seemed to be a little less understeer and the MDX felt a bit more solid and composed. My guess is that it's due to the slightly stiffer (effectively) rear coil/shock combination.

Overall, very happy with the install. I will be towing the largest U-Haul enclosed trailer halfway across the country in the spring, so I guess that will be the real test.

[94eg!]

Interesting.

But yeah, adding more spring rate (in parallel) will raise your ride height. By how much depends on how stiff the new spring is, and how much pre-load they assembled it with. I wouldn't expect it to sag. Especially with the main springs still in place.

[Nickp]

I put 56820's in about 2 months ago on my 07 Pilot. I also got them from Amazon in the warehouse. There might be a slight penalty in ride quality, but the sag I used to get when loading up with passengers is gone. I plan on doing the sub frame brace mod as well.

[tangotango99]

Originally Posted by Nickp

I put 56820's in about 2 months ago on my 07 Pilot. I also got them from Amazon in the warehouse. There might be a slight penalty in ride quality, but the sag I used to get when loading up with passengers is gone. I plan on doing the sub frame brace mod as well.

How stiff is the ride?

[Rower4VT]

I have noticed a slightly stiffer ride, bit it is more of an additional "controlled/stable" feeling and not at all "harsher"....if it was I would know it...Nebraska roads suck.

[tangotango99]

Originally Posted by Rower4VT

I have noticed a slightly stiffer ride, bit it is more of an additional "controlled/stable" feeling and not at all "harsher"....if it was I would know it...Nebraska roads suck.

I checked Amazon 56820 will not fit, did you use 56820?

[Rower4VT]

I used 58645, though Monroe and Amazon will not show those as "fitting" the Pilot or MDX. They are made for the Odyssey...which actually has a pretty similar suspension and overall build. They will fit though, and they are pretty easy to put in yourself. If you look up the specs for Pilot replacement shocks and the 58645 they are pretty similar. Judging by the ride-height and the ride, I would say they are a very good fit.


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

[rocky]

Just for reference an old short thread on the Monroes Monroe Load Adjusting shocks