Strut Identification?

[Mac]

How can I tell what kind of struts I have? They are blue. Are there things I should look for?

 

[Rockledge]

How can I tell what kind of struts I have? They are blue. Are there things I should look for?

My new Tokicos are light blue.

 

[Mac]

Nice, but mine are darker blue.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Then they're probably stock. I believe KYBs are white. And Konis are probably usually the same color as stock, as they're put in the strut tubes.

 

[LookAtThatSHO]

Just installed my KYBs, they were light silver / titanium in color...

 

[AREA 91]

If they are a darker blue, they are Monroe Sensatracks.

 

[Devin]

I have a deeper blue on mine but they have no identifying information on them. I assume they are stock. Wouldn't aftermarket have a P/N or logo on them?

 

[ohfosho]

im sur ethat the motorcraft replacements are dark blue...i have white originals on the front, and blue on the rear with motorcraft stickers.

 

[wood_e]

My monroe quick struts are black

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

If they are a darker blue, they are Monroe Sensatracks.

Sensatracs are BLACK. Not blue.

Dark blue would be (as stated a few times already, Motorcraft)

 

[wood_e]

Sensatracs are BLACK. Not blue.

Dark blue would be (as stated a few times already, Motorcraft)

Then why were my original motorcraft struts black?

 

[Rockledge]

My origional Motorcrafts were black too.

 

[pvsho91]

my rears are blue and have a sticker that says sensatrack on them

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I've worked on around 1000 or so SHO's, and I've never seen blue Ford/Motorcraft struts -- all black (I have seen a couple cars with painted OE struts, but I'm not counting those since I knew they were painted). Aftermarket struts come in just about every color imaginable. Tokico has sourced their strut housings from different manufacturers, so there can be different styles and shades of blue for them.

Here's the easiest clues: If the struts say Tokico on them, they're Tokicos. If there is a bolt at the bottom of the housing, it's a Koni. KYB's should have a KYB label, although I've seen a few without labels but I believe every KYB I've ever seen has had KYB stamped into the housing somewhere. Anything else that doesn't have a Ford/Motorcraft decal on it is a cheapo aftermarket SLO replacement strut (Gabriel, Monroe, DANA).

 

[shobote]

Monroe gas-adjust are dark blue; I have these on mine now, and they were made before the senstracks were available for the SHO; they are stiffer than the sensatracks in comparison; also stiffer than the Motorcraft stockers.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Went and dug thru my archived photos....

Seems that BOTH the factory Motorcraft struts and the Monroe sensatracs (at least on my '89) are indeed black.

This photo shows sensatracs mounted, and a partial view of a removed motorcraft (leaning against wall)