Hmm, I just tried these. They feel more like the base shocks to me, not like my Adventure did when new. Very nice, comfortable ride though.

 

and the monotubes will outperform the oe adventure package shocks..

 

Tainter, Thanks for the Vice-Grips on the flat spot idea. That worked for me tonight...but quite the struggle to get that nut off that rusty stud. I guess that's what I get for waiting 125,000 miles to change them.

 

How do you know how much to tighten the nut down on the top post of the front shocks? The rubber bushing just keeps squishing the further you crank it down. I assume you want a little squish left to the bushing, but how much?

 

Here is a side by side comparison of the OEM Adventure front shock to the Monroe Reflex shock. The Monroe seems slightly shorter in total length, the bushings are taller but not as wide, and the nut is smaller with no flange.

 

Alright, called the Monroe technical line today and they said that you should tighten the nut down on top until the rubber bushing expands to the diameter of of the washer, so I apperantly am currently squishing the bushing too much as displayed in the above picture. Should be an easy fix tonight.

 

Good info there.
On my shocks, they were the same lengths. Only the length of the stud and rubber was slightly different along with nut size/pitch.

 

Am I going to have to cut open my old shocks and find the difference? So the monotubes are using cartridge dampening, nothing new there. I would bet your own money that the OEM is cartridge and not damping rods. Any difference between the two is probably in the washer stackup. I still think the Adventure valving was better but not perfect, needing more rebound damping and less high speed compression damping.

 

I'm ordering the Monroe Reflex today. I'm wondering if they will do better on potholes than the factory Adv shocks. Potholes seem to make things shake and rattle more than they used to, so I'm thinking they are a bit worn at 65,000 miles?

 

Please post pics after you open those up. TIA