After market struts/ shocks

[X BRONCO OWNER]

So my rear struts blew out and leaked all over my driveway. Im out of warranty im so I wanted to get Bilstein 5100’s but they are on back order until at least mid july. The only other struts i can find are KYB. Has anyone tries these or should i wait a few months for the Bilsteins or does anyone know of another brand out there.

 

[JasonH]

I have the KYBs. They're better than blown struts.

 

[Squark]

I ordered Bilsteins last July and they still haven't arrived. My ETA was Sept, then Nov, then Jan, Mar, May, and now July. I hope they actually show up by then, but I'm not holding my breath. I had 6 factory shocks leak. They're pretty terrible. Since yours are completely blown, I would replace them with KYB since you can get them right away.

 

[Wangle]

My shocks lasted 8 years/100k miles in my 76 Chevy Vega. Then I sold the car, bought a Cavalier and swore off GM forever. Never lost a shock though. My 2003 Expedition had a leaky strut at 165,000 miles. Pretty good! My 2018 Expedition, purchased in January 2019 new, lost both front shocks with less than 15,000 miles. I consider myself lucky though, because at 18,000 miles I have not lost my rear shocks, YET. KYB is a great product. You need them now, so go ahead and use the KYB. Another option is to replace with the OEM Ford shocks and hope they last you until July when the Bilsteins are available.
Seriously, it boggles my mind that a manufacturer would put junk shocks on their flagship vehicle and not fix it with a recall. So embarrassing.

 

[Backinblack]

I had one each front and rear replaced under 3/36 warranty. Now another front is leaking and not covered under extended warranty, dealer wants $600. I have never done shocks myself, any recommendations? On a 1-10 scale of difficulty? Thanks.

 

[Gumby]

Replaced my rear CCD shocks because they were leaking. 2k job at the dealer in Jan 2021. I think they are shot again...

 

[JasonH]

I had one each front and rear replaced under 3/36 warranty. Now another front is leaking and not covered under extended warranty, dealer wants $600. I have never done shocks myself, any recommendations? On a 1-10 scale of difficulty? Thanks.

I would say a five ot six for the rear. It's relatively straightforward if you can get the spring compressed and the shaft nut loose. Having said that, issues can arise. My passenger side was easy then I spent hours on the driver's side because the lower bushing would not let go of the bolt. After fighting with the bushing, I finally set it on fire and that did the trick. I haven't done the front, but there are a few more parts to undo so its higher than the rear. For calibration, one would be an oil change, ten would be internals.

 

[Soliyou]

So my rear struts blew out and leaked all over my driveway. Im out of warranty im so I wanted to get Bilstein 5100’s but they are on back order until at least mid july. The only other struts i can find are KYB. Has anyone tries these or should i wait a few months for the Bilsteins or does anyone know of another brand out there.

KYB manufactures OEM struts for Toyota (or at least used to do). They have been doing great on my minivan over the past 8 yrs and 90k miles. So I would go for them with no doubts.

Regarding the replacement difficulty, I would say 5/10. You can rent a spring compressor from Orielly’s. Or you can take your assembled strut to a machine shop and ask them to swap the shock absorbers. They will charge you 30 minutes of labor.

 

[8131full]

is there a way to know if my fronts are bad if they're not leaking? Every day when I first start driving, there is a slight knock from the front left when I hit the first bump. But then never does it again. Ride quality is fine.

 

[Squark]

is there a way to know if my fronts are bad if they're not leaking? Every day when I first start driving, there is a slight knock from the front left when I hit the first bump. But then never does it again. Ride quality is fine.

Mine does this on both sides. I replaced my shocks with Bilstein 5100s and it still does it on the first few bumps in the morning. I haven't investigated further since it did it before and after the replacement.

 

[8131full]

Mine does this on both sides. I replaced my shocks with Bilstein 5100s and it still does it on the first few bumps in the morning. I haven't investigated further since it did it before and after the replacement.

hmm, good to know. At least i don't have to replace mine. Thanks!

 

[wakeboarder]

is there a way to know if my fronts are bad if they're not leaking? Every day when I first start driving, there is a slight knock from the front left when I hit the first bump. But then never does it again. Ride quality is fine.

Do you have a 4wd? If so, could it be the front hubs engaging or disengaging? Maybe try it one day, but put it 2wd before moving. The next day put it in 4a before moving.

 

[8131full]

Do you have a 4wd? If so, could it be the front hubs engaging or disengaging? Maybe try it one day, but put it 2wd before moving. The next day put it in 4a before moving.

Good idea. I'll try that today. Thanks!

 

[stilbo]

Three of for factory struts were leaking on my 2018 before it hit 50,000.
When I priced Bilsteins VS KYBs on Rock Auto it was a no brainer.
More than satisfied with the KYBs.
I even catch air at 45 mph on a little hill near home just for giggles and it lands perfectly.
It’s now my Town Car Raptor.

 

[Deadman]

Three of for factory struts were leaking on my 2018 before it hit 50,000.
When I priced Bilsteins VS KYBs on Rock Auto it was a no brainer.
More than satisfied with the KYBs.
I even catch air at 45 mph on a little hill near home just for giggles and it lands perfectly.
It’s now my Town Car Raptor.

Thank you for the reminder on why I buy my cars new and not used! . lol

 

[Bmanxx13]

is there a way to know if my fronts are bad if they're not leaking? Every day when I first start driving, there is a slight knock from the front left when I hit the first bump. But then never does it again. Ride quality is fine.

Mine do the same thing the first time I leave my driveway every morning. No issues or leaks (so far). My expedition has about 71k miles.

 

[8131full]

Mine do the same thing the first time I leave my driveway every morning. No issues or leaks (so far). My expedition has about 71k miles.

hmm. I guess I feel slightly better knowing others have the same thing. Would really like to know what it is, though. Front hubs are sticking, and then get a slight bump and disengage?

 

[khammer]

Replaced my rear CCD shocks because they were leaking. 2k job at the dealer in Jan 2021. I think they are shot again...

Just got my '18 Limited 302a back from the dealership for an oil change. 89k miles. I mentioned it was pulling and might need an alignment. The technician noted he would not perform the alignment due to repairs needed.

They said right front and right rear shocks were leaking and needed replacement.

$2292.12 out the door for the right front replacement
$1387.60 out the door for the right rear replacement

3700 for 2 shocks????

 

[stilbo]

The Bilsteins are great but probably overrated.
Buy the KYB’s.

 

[Zig10]

Just got my '18 Limited 302a back from the dealership for an oil change. 89k miles. I mentioned it was pulling and might need an alignment. The technician noted he would not perform the alignment due to repairs needed.

They said right front and right rear shocks were leaking and needed replacement.

$2292.12 out the door for the right front replacement
$1387.60 out the door for the right rear replacement

3700 for 2 shocks????

First off, the dealer is hosing you. I just put Billstiens on mine for a total of $1250, including labor for the shop to cut off a galled bolt that the dealer cross threaded last time they changed one of my rear struts under warranty.

Secondly, when my rear strut was leaking like yours I had to fight with the dealer to get it changed out because Ford told them it was only "dampness, not a full leak". Tune changes quickly out of warranty. I'd take it to a local suspension shop or a private garage that you trust and get it done there. You can get the struts on-line and just take them in. I ordered mine from a seller on Amazon and had them in 2 days.

Good luck.