Strut Replacement Recommendations

[Dill-Ag13]

Hi guys, first post over here, hoping to get some guidance.

My FIL's 2013 expy has 3 of its shocks leaking. Unfortunately it seems to be a factory defect/weak-point as the front shocks were replaced under warranty at ~3k miles. The truck now has ~55k miles and the rears are leaking and the passenger front is leaking again so I'm going to tear into it and replace them for him. Any recommendations on struts? I'd prefer quick-struts so as not to mess around with spring compressors but I want something of high quality. What options do I have?

 

[inmanlanier]

I have a 2012 EL XLT with 76K miles and haven't looked in a while at the rears - maybe should. I did the fronts some time ago as with you junk from the factory but Ford refused to replace them under warranty. I put in Bilsteins. I've very pleased with them, however they get mixed reviews in the following post: https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/are-bilsteins-really-worth-it.42412/

Having said that, I'll definitely put Bilsteins in the rears when due.

I had to do a touch of grinding to get the front ones in (I didn't want to remove the control arm and all the way extended the shocks were a smidge too long - after about 20 seconds with a grinder I cut the interference off and got them in.

 

[dcsang]

I've used the Monroe Quick-Struts on a different vehicle and cannot recommend them. They ride well for 2 to 3 months on average roads and deteriorate quickly thereafter. If you hit any "significant" potholes or dips you're done!

Monroe honors their warranty and exchanging them wasn't an issue, but the hassle of replacement and realignment isn't worth it. I prefer to stick with the stealership parts in this case without a solid recommendation from others.

 

[Black]

There are no high quality quick struts. The price is indicative of that.

Buy the Bilsteins swaping the strut is not bad on the earlier models as the spring perch is not pressed on (unless they have been replaced with the new Ford units).

Not sure why the other fella had to grind his. I put in 5100s which are longer than OEM and 4600s and they went in with no grinding or removal of the control arm.

 

[inmanlanier]

Not sure why the other fella had to grind his. I put in 5100s which are longer than OEM and 4600s and they went in with no grinding or removal of the control arm.

For my 2012 (yours is a 2016, yes?) the Bilsteins were the 4600 B6. It was quite some time ago but as I recall where the opening center hole is punched up in the control arm, I couldn't quite get it over the ridge. A small drop in ridge height at the outer lip and they went right in. The vehicle ride height ended up being the same after the install.

 

[rowekmr]

I'm following this because I have a 2007 with 119K and want to freshen up the noisy and harsh riding suspension but want quality parts also.

 

[Gary Waugh]

I have an 08 EL expedition and changed the 4 struts for Bilstein 4600's. It took me about 2 hours to change all 4, the only special equipment needed was a coil spring compressor which O'riley let me rent for free. It was easy to change the shocks, I didn't have to undo any of the steering rods so no re-alignement needed. My wife and daughters all commented how much nicer the ride is now, the old shocks where original ford units with >140,000 miles so probably had no damping at all!!
For the money, the Bilstein seem a good choice and on an 08 model they are easy to change.

Gary

 

[Lynnii2]

I have have a 2010 Ford Expedition Limited 2wd. I changed all my struts out with the KYB GR2. The factory struts had about 120,000 miles on them. It was super easy I went to harbor freight and bought coil spring compressor and 6 ton jack stands and in about 3 hours was done with all 4 corners. The trucks rides like brand new and I have over 199,000 miles now with no problems.