GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

So I have the 2009 Base 1.8 and before purchasing the car my mechanic and I did a full inspection. Upon inspection we noted the following

The previous owner lived on a dirt road and the bellows on the front struts were ripped and deteriorating

That being said I would like some advice in regards to a replacement. My previous vehicle always had non OEM suspensions installed and I always noted the travel distance was much less and the ride was always stiffer.

Since I want to stay with the stock feeling I would like to replace the front and rear suspension with the OEM parts. Even though it will cost more I know that I will be better off.

Is this a worthwhile investment?

Typically, only when a car has aftermarket performance suspension installed does the travel distance change and cause the ride to suffer.

Monroe "OESpectrum" and KYB "GR-2" struts are direct replacement parts for the stock struts. Reuse the stock springs.
You will also want to replace the front "Strut Mounts" at the same time as the struts. If they aren't replaced it's common for the factory strut mounts to fail after replacing the struts. Then installing them is just as expensive as replacing the struts, and the car would need to be aligned again.

Checkout Rock-auto.com they have much better prices than the national chain stores/dealers, fast shipping, and good customer service.

Would you happen to know the part numbers of the KYB's?

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:Would you happen to know the part numbers of the KYB's?

I noted that KYB are the original for my 2009 Vibe.....It is stamped on the strut or rear shock.

I would like to use the Monroe OESpectrum as I noted elsewhere. I would assumed that you will get the OEM type ride with the KYB.

ParknVibe wrote:

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:Would you happen to know the part numbers of the KYB's?

I noted that KYB are the original for my 2009 Vibe.....It is stamped on the strut or rear shock.

I would like to use the Monroe OESpectrum as I noted elsewhere. I would assumed that you will get the OEM type ride with the KYB.

KYB Part Rear # 340018 (Right and Left are the same)

KYB Part Front Left# 339115

KYB Part Front Right # 339114

KYB Part Front Strut Mount # SM5638 (Right and Left are the same)

Awesome! Thank you! I will look into getting those!

Quick questions again

Does KYB have Quick Strut Assemblies available?

Could you please tell me the Part Number of the Monroe OESpectrum Quick Strut?

Should I get the Quick Struts? If I do I should have ALL the parts including the strut mounts correct?

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:Quick questions again

Does KYB have Quick Strut Assemblies available?

Could you please tell me the Part Number of the Monroe OESpectrum Quick Strut?

Should I get the Quick Struts? If I do I should have ALL the parts including the strut mounts correct?

Monroe just added the front Struts for the 09-10 Vibe. I only look at the site a few weeks ago. It didn't list the rears yet.. But they are available for the older vibes 2003-2008....

Great! I will keep an eye open on it and see if my mechanic can get any special deals on the OEspectrums

ParknVibe wrote:

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:Quick questions again

Does KYB have Quick Strut Assemblies available?

Could you please tell me the Part Number of the Monroe OESpectrum Quick Strut?

Should I get the Quick Struts? If I do I should have ALL the parts including the strut mounts correct?

Monroe just added the front Struts for the 09-10 Vibe. I only look at the site a few weeks ago. It didn't list the rears yet.. But they are available for the older vibes 2003-2008....

Just to add about the OESpectrum is that the 2009-10 Vibes are a different part number then for the older 2003-2008 vibes.

Well I think I will be jumping on the OE Spectrums

Couple issues, no Monroe Strut mounts, Bellow or other associated hardware and from what they emailed me back it doesn't sound like they plan on making them.

So just a couple more items that are bothering me a bit
I only have once choice for the Strut Mounts which are KYB Strut Mounts (they are the only ones that are complete and have everything in the kit)
For the Bellows and Bumper I have three choices and all the pictures look different, I have Raybestos, Moog and AC Delco to choose from which should I get?
Springs - I am keeping my old ones

Alright folks will these combos work?

Well the day has come! New Struts, Bellows and Mounts! Now I just need to get it to the shop!

Thank you for all the help!

P.S. Ended up only doing the fronts. The rear suspension and brakes are ok for now so they will stay as is.

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:P.S. Ended up only doing the fronts. The rear suspension and brakes are ok for now so they will stay as is.

How many miles on your 09 Vibe?
Did you get the Struts from a Dealer? or aftermarket?

Rock auto for all of it. Kyb strut mounts, Monroe OE Spectrum struts and Delco bellows. Going to reuse the springs

BaseWhiteVibe wrote:Rock auto for all of it. Kyb strut mounts, Monroe OE Spectrum struts and Delco bellows. Going to reuse the springs

I thought (by the photo) you were buying KYB Struts as well. Check to see if the mounts will work with the Monroe Strut.

Again how many miles on your Vibe?
Let me know how the ride is after you install the Monroe struts....
I only have LESS then 12,000 on 09 Vibe...Maybe hit 12 the next trip. And now over five years of ownership.

Yup no issues with the strut mounts. These struts are direct OE fit so no mods or anything, just pop them in and they go in perfectly in place of the other ones.

They claim that the ride will be better we will see!

As for why I need to replace them, the previous owner lived on a dirt road which caused the bellows to degrade to heck and at times the front is a bit bouncy. I have about 64K on it right now. BUT the ball joints and tie rods look perfect! Replaced at some time in its life? Not sure