addisonm06 Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 Time to replace front struts and strut mounts. Does anyone have any insight of one being better than the other? Gabriel, KYB, Motorcraft? Any opinions of best struts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 In general from what I have seen mentioned here in the group, most people go with either the Motorcraft OEM or KYB. Motorcraft simply because its OEM and provides the OEM ride, and KYB because its a little bit stiffer and provides more 'sportier' suspension performance. Either one should be just fine. Don't seem to hear many folks mention the Gabriels although I understand they make a quality product. I'm sure you probably would be just fine with any of them. Others may have a different opinion. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted June 9, 2017 Report Share Posted June 9, 2017 And as per mact's for strut mounts always stick with Motorcraft. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted June 10, 2017 Report Share Posted June 10, 2017 +1 on that. I have an uninstalled set of KYB's and whence I put them in I will use Motorcraft strut mounts per MacT's advice and Omar's reiteration. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted June 12, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2017 Awesome! thanks everyone! Looks like i can get Motorcraft struts+mounts for about $55 less than KYB struts+Motorcraft mounts. I think ill save the cash and go with all OEM. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted June 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Just a follow up. This past weekend i decided to tackle the front struts and mounts. I decided to just go with OEM Motorcraft struts and mounts. Entire job took me about 3.5 hours; would have been quicker if i had a spare set of hands lol I did not take the cowling off for easier access to the top of the strut mounts. I tried; but i could not get the wiper arm loose.; so i took off as much as i could but was able to use an open ended wrench on what i could not use a socket on. No more popping noise during turns! So thats a huge plus! Thanks again for all the help and support!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Enjoy the ride, like it was meant to be. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted June 28, 2017 Report Share Posted June 28, 2017 Has anyone installed a set of Monroe OE Spectrums??? I'm thinkin that Ford probably uses the cheapest junk out there and almost any aftermarket strut will be way better then stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Has anyone installed a set of Monroe OE Spectrums??? I'm thinkin that Ford probably uses the cheapest junk out there and almost any aftermarket strut will be way better then stock.I doubt that. Ford does the engineering specification for the struts and bids it out to several vendors. I would imagine the vendor with the lowest price, which still meets their specifications, gets the contract. But I seriously doubt that they are "cheap" (in the usual sense). Each strut is designed for each specific vehicle. Aftermarket has to match a great number of makes, models and designs. Motorcraft is tuned for a specific feel, aftermarket are stiffer because of the diversity they are required to meet. ------ As an unrelated fact while looking up the struts for my MKX, Lincoln specs a different strut for 20" wheels than they do for 18"! That never occurred to me. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Has anyone installed a set of Monroe OE Spectrums??? I'm thinkin that Ford probably uses the cheapest junk out there and almost any aftermarket strut will be way better then stock. I my self would not ever use a monroe shock. Go with OE motorcraft or the KYB's 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 To the contrary - Monroes are usually cheaper and don't work as well. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chefduane Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 I put a set of Monroe coil overs on my Explorer only because I had the dreaded 'explorer butt-sag.' They worked fine but nothing to write home about. And again, I only put them on because they were the cheapest coil over I could find. For a long term DD non-coil over shock, I would not use Monroes. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted July 1, 2017 Report Share Posted July 1, 2017 Didn't realize that Monroe was so bad these days. I always liked their Sensa-trac model and had them on many vehicles. I remember taking the fake Ranchos off my new 2003 F150 FX4 a month after I got it and installing a set of 4 Sensa-tracs. The roads in Michigan are so bad that I've always preferred softer shocks and springs. I no longer have my 2014 MKX but I really miss the soft ride compared to my 2011 SEL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted August 1, 2017 Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 Just a follow up. This past weekend i decided to tackle the front struts and mounts. I decided to just go with OEM Motorcraft struts and mounts. Entire job took me about 3.5 hours; would have been quicker if i had a spare set of hands lol I did not take the cowling off for easier access to the top of the strut mounts. I tried; but i could not get the wiper arm loose.; so i took off as much as i could but was able to use an open ended wrench on what i could not use a socket on. No more popping noise during turns! So thats a huge plus! Thanks again for all the help and support!! Did you use a spring compressor at home or did you run them up to a shop???? Thinking of just renting a compressor kit from Advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted August 1, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 1, 2017 (edited) I purchased a set from amazon. They were very easy to use, and extremely safe as they have safety's. Only wish i had an adapter for my drill instead of hand ratcheting the coil compressor; would have made it much easier. I personally would not pay to have a shop do it. I was nervous at first, but once i received the coil compressors i was rest assured. You can rent a kit as well, not sure the cost on that. I only used the compressor for about 15 mins; figured ill keep the tool around if needed in the future. Where at in MI are you? If you arnt far, you can borrow mine. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CMDPLM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Edited August 1, 2017 by addisonm06 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishx65 Posted August 2, 2017 Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Thanks Addi. I usually rent tools from Advance Auto for free but might pick up that same set from Amazon. I'm over in the Plymouth area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted August 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2017 Well if its free hahah cannot pass that up. I live in Chesterfield/New Baltimore. It would be the same in gas to just purchase the set; either way let me know if i can help! Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REDSPORT Posted September 29, 2017 Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I put monroe quick-struts on my 2010 Ford Edge sport. I had an issue with the driver side so i had to send it back to Rock Auto. A replacement is on its way. I had no issue with the passenger side. If the replacement has the same upper mount problem, then i will not use monroe ever again. I went with the quick-struts for ease of installation and thought the original mounts would need replacing soon anyway. This may not have been a good idea. I will keep you posted on the replacement. Also, i found the installation of the drivers side was much harder than the passenger side. For some reason there is about a half inch issue to line up the bolts. This required a pry bar and an assistant. I thought maybe this was also an issue of the Monroe strut but when i had to put the original strut assembly back in, it was the same way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted September 29, 2017 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2017 I put monroe quick-struts on my 2010 Ford Edge sport. I had an issue with the driver side so i had to send it back to Rock Auto. A replacement is on its way. I had no issue with the passenger side. If the replacement has the same upper mount problem, then i will not use monroe ever again. I went with the quick-struts for ease of installation and thought the original mounts would need replacing soon anyway. This may not have been a good idea. I will keep you posted on the replacement. Also, i found the installation of the drivers side was much harder than the passenger side. For some reason there is about a half inch issue to line up the bolts. This required a pry bar and an assistant. I thought maybe this was also an issue of the Monroe strut but when i had to put the original strut assembly back in, it was the same way. Strange! I definitely did not have any issue lining up the bolts. Wonder if that is possibly a 2010 thing? Either way good luck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WWWPerfA_ZN0W Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 2010 was a crossover model year in MANY aspects. So it is possible some spec changed, and the Quick Struts do not allow for it, having been developed on a 2007 platform most likely. OR your Edge has had some body work in the past that caused this, but would have to be fairly major. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macbwt Posted September 30, 2017 Report Share Posted September 30, 2017 I put monroe quick-struts on my 2010 Ford Edge sport. I had an issue with the driver side so i had to send it back to Rock Auto. A replacement is on its way. I had no issue with the passenger side. If the replacement has the same upper mount problem, then i will not use monroe ever again. I went with the quick-struts for ease of installation and thought the original mounts would need replacing soon anyway. This may not have been a good idea. I will keep you posted on the replacement. Also, i found the installation of the drivers side was much harder than the passenger side. For some reason there is about a half inch issue to line up the bolts. This required a pry bar and an assistant. I thought maybe this was also an issue of the Monroe strut but when i had to put the original strut assembly back in, it was the same way. If you have to use a pry bar you have the wrong part/Strut mount. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted October 1, 2017 Report Share Posted October 1, 2017 Not to steal the thread, but I seen an add in a magazine for Motorcraft quick struts (fully assembled strut assembly with new springs). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
addisonm06 Posted October 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2017 Not to steal the thread, but I seen an add in a magazine for Motorcraft quick struts (fully assembled strut assembly with new springs). any links? i tried looking for an OEM assembly but had no luck. It was easy enough to compress the springs, but an out of box solutions would have been nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Google: $63.50 ea. https://autoplicity.com/3937454-motorcraft-ast913-strut-assembly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
omar302 Posted October 3, 2017 Report Share Posted October 3, 2017 Google: $63.50 ea. https://autoplicity.com/3937454-motorcraft-ast913-strut-assembly I think that is a generic photo. The same MotorCraft number leads to the Strut only (no spring) part in other sites, like RockAuto & EBay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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