FYI,

A few months ago, after testing, I decided to share this information. I have replaced my shocks with Monroe Sensa-Trac Strut Part No 71367. The cost was $75.99 each, not including the $23.00 discount. The shocks were installed by Midas, and they feel great! I got the shocks from Advance Auto Parts, everywhere else they were over $120.00 each, Sears wanted them for about $264.00!!!

I also purchased Monroe Strut-Mate Mounting Kit Part No 904972 for $38.00 each, not including the $11.39.

My total cost for the parts were $207.22, I didn't have a shipping cost because there is a store close to my house.

 

What year is your s-type?

 

Good deal. So before and after...We you having problems before or just wanted to upgrade your handling? Happy with the outcome?

 

My Jag is a 2003 S-Type. The shocks were finally leaking, car had a little too much of a bounce. I also noticed at highway speeds the car almost felt like I couldn't rightly control it.

I am VERY comfortable with the ride. It took me a long time to decide on this set. There are MANY models. LOL

 

Will the monroes fit my 2005 4.2? And what you need the mate mounting kit for?

 

Well, according to the Monroe website, year has additional shocks listed. To be sure though, I would recommend contacting them: MONROE SHOCKS & STRUTS :: Support

I know an issue I had beforehand was finding out whether I had w/CATs or wo/CATs shocks. I have wo/CATs, which means my shocks are not computer connected in any way. This will make a big difference in cost.

The strut mounts essentially compliment the shocks and struts, but the ones I replaced still looked solid to me. Other than being dirty, they looked almost new. After all these years and miles, I guess I expected them to be dry rotted, cracked, etc. :-)

 

Ok thank you I will look into it more to see if I have CAT shocks or not

 

You can find out if you have CATS controlled shocks very easily, just lift up the rubber cover on top of your forward shock tower in your engine bay. If there is wires going to the top of the shock absorber your vehicle has the CATS system,likewise,no wires = no CATS.

 

Even easier if no cover!

Guess whose car has them missing....

 

thanks! Do the struts with CAT improve the vehicle ride a big diffrence from the ones with out CATs? Anyone know?...

 

Chromedragon - How are your shocks working out for you at this point? I am considering replacing mine as well and very much would like to purchase less expensive struts for sure. Does your car handle better on the highway and city now?

My car is getting that famous bounce although the car feels better since I changed the front upper control arms. The Jags struts are leaking in the rear. I plan on replacing the struts and the mounting kits on all 4's. You were wise to replace the mounting kits as well as I have heard that they have an important role in overall car stability.

Is the ride firmer than it was before your replaced them? At what mileage did you replace them?

I am asking these silly questions since I will never forget when I replaced the OEM struts on my Acura with Monroes. The car rode like a 1975 Buick after replacing the struts. I wanted to dig the old shocks from the trash and put them back on. That was a long time ago, though.

 

Hi,

I still haven't completed the front or even replaced my tires. I am such a procrastinator. No wonder my wife is always *itching at me! :-)

 

JagV8:
Only the 2003 STR came with strut covers. I purchased a set and added them to my 2005 STR. Gives a more finished look.
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Is the ride softer or firmer after you installed the rear struts?

 

I never knew that! Weird.

 

Not true, my 2000 3.0 Sport with CATS has big plastic covers on top of the strut towers.

 

I've driven an 03 S type without the CATS and compared to my Sport w/CATS, it rode very "floaty" and soft. Hated it.

The CATS really firm up and assist the car in cornering sway in comparison , but make the daily live-ability good.

 

Wrong again. Please read what I wrote. The STR only got strut covers in 2003.

The regular S type and the Lincoln LS, Ford Thunderbird also used strut covers at various times. On the LS they dropped them starting in 2003. Ford started "De-contenting" the LS after 2003 by dropping many standard features or making them options. A real shame! The Thunderbird appears to have used them for the entire production run 2002-2005.

I have also added a pair to my wife’s 2003 LS Sport. I changed a bit from the factory setup and used two passenger side covers. They are just plain round covers. The driver’s side is more complicated and has an additional flap to cover some brackets. Looks very clean with two simple round covers. I got the idea after seeing the under hood of a Thunderbird.
Here is the under hood of a 2004 Thunderbird.





Funny thing is the strut covers appear to identical but made from different materials?? The LS/Thunderbird ones are more of a hard plastic that "snaps" over the studs sticking up. But the Jaguar ones are much softer and feel more like rubber. I guess to allow the CATS wire some room?? Here is the LS/Thunderbird covers side by side.

Driver’s side cover XW4Z-33C239-AA About $17
Passenger side cover XW4Z-33C240-AA About $8




Off Topic-here!
The Thunderbird was the only 2 door built on the DEW platform and is pretty rare in the US. I really wonder what a 2 door S type would look like? Or if it would have sold very well?
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