Front Struts

[Suprawill1]

Those are not designed by Steeda. Those are oem Ford parts sold by Steeda. Always have been.
Aside from that the clunking you hear is much more likely to be the strut bearing, not the strut itself.

I'll check on that strut bearing. Is that a separately replaceable part?
According to Steeda, they computer designed their strut to OEM specs. At least that's from their mouths.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Yes it’s separate and ask Steeda why their house designed struts and shocks for this car have Ford logos on them.

 

[bhunted1]

My guess is dealers for warranty work just slap in a whole strut assembly because it’s so easy. That’s like 6 bolts and 15 minutes vs having to disassemble the strut to swap the bearing.

Thanks. I figured. Was looking at the workshop manual for that. Just need Ford to say ok. Ya figured they’ve had this issue on the ssm notice. They cant see it’s been happening. Seems they want to see how far they can stretch this.

 

[Suprawill1]

Yes it’s separate and ask Steeda why their house designed struts and shocks for this car have Ford logos on them.

Rebrand?

 

[UNBROKEN]

Rebrand?

Bringing this back up because someone just posted their “Steeda” shocks for sale. Zoom in and read the shock body.

 

[Suprawill1]

Bringing this back up because someone just posted their “Steeda” shocks for sale. Zoom in and read the shock body. View attachment 27574

Mmm hmm. Looks like FoMoCo.

 

[DadFordbidit]

I have had the front struts replaced a few times by the dealer and each time the clunk goes away for a week or so and then returns. My service writer advised me to call the Ford customer service number and open a case. I did that and the Ford engineering team has determined that the clunk is considered normal for now. They need more ST owners to do the same so they will begin looking into a service bulletin. I am 1 of 2 ST owners that have returned for this issue at my dealership. The GM of that dealership is trying to get Ford to take action on it or give a huge incentive to trade out of the vehicle. Problem is my wife absolutely loves this vehicle. Please spread the word that more ST “clunkers” need to call Ford customer service at 800-392-3673 and ask to open a case so they might begin to correct these issues.

 

[LuxST]

I have a 22’ with 65k miles on it. I have a bad strut mount bearing. Thinking about just replacing the entire assembly. Does Motorcraft not sell an entire assembly? FCS sells an entire assembly and would rather do that but unknown quality of the product I’m hesitant. I’d rather buy an assembly instead of just the strut cause A) it’s easier and B) don’t want to have to buy a spring compressor and pass through socket that I’ll barely use. Looking for something equivalent to ST struts. Recommendations? Thanks.

 

[billygoat]

I have a 22’ with 65k miles on it. I have a bad strut mount bearing. Thinking about just replacing the entire assembly. Does Motorcraft not sell an entire assembly? FCS sells an entire assembly and would rather do that but unknown quality of the product I’m hesitant. I’d rather buy an assembly instead of just the strut cause A) it’s easier and B) don’t want to have to buy a spring compressor and pass through socket that I’ll barely use. Looking for something equivalent to ST struts. Recommendations? Thanks.

PIU struts are a nice "upgrade" i put on about thousand miles ago and have been pleased with them so far.

 

[Suprawill1]

I have a 22’ with 65k miles on it. I have a bad strut mount bearing. Thinking about just replacing the entire assembly. Does Motorcraft not sell an entire assembly? FCS sells an entire assembly and would rather do that but unknown quality of the product I’m hesitant. I’d rather buy an assembly instead of just the strut cause A) it’s easier and B) don’t want to have to buy a spring compressor and pass through socket that I’ll barely use. Looking for something equivalent to ST struts. Recommendations? Thanks.

I'm in the same boat but I've decided this:

PIUs are a good upgrade but ...
1) Unless you're getting the whole assembly, you're not addressing the problem which are the bearings.
2) I've searched hi and lo and have yet to find the PIUs in assembly form.
3) If bearings are the problem, why even need the upgrade to PIUs unless you're looking for a stiffer strut?

With this said, I was leaning toward getting the stock ST strut assembly wherein I'll have replaced the strut, bearings and strut mount and will have paid much less for installation then parting it in. I have found that Ford does not offer the assembled strut, which they call a "loaded strut", so you will have to find it in an aftermarket version. In my searches, there have not been any good reports on aftermarket companies that offer the loaded strut.

What makes seem to be readily available are TRQ, FCS, KYB, MAXX etc. Most of these companies have assemblies that fit the Explorer but not our ST trim.

So in conclusion, I am back to parting in what I need which starts with bearings. I'm only replacing the struts because of mileage. I'm on the fence as to whether or not replace the strut mounts which doesn't appear to be a wearable part.
I'm hoping someone with experience can chime in with an optional plan based on these findings.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Just grab the PIU struts and new bearings and reuse the mounts. Takes 5 minutes per side to assemble them.

 

[Cruising68]

I'm in the same boat but I've decided this:

PIUs are a good upgrade but ...
1) Unless you're getting the whole assembly, you're not addressing the problem which are the bearings.
2) I've searched hi and lo and have yet to find the PIUs in assembly form.
3) If bearings are the problem, why even need the upgrade to PIUs unless you're looking for a stiffer strut?

With this said, I was leaning toward getting the stock ST strut assembly wherein I'll have replaced the strut, bearings and strut mount and will have paid much less for installation then parting it in. I have found that Ford does not offer the assembled strut, which they call a "loaded strut", so you will have to find it in an aftermarket version. In my searches, there have not been any good reports on aftermarket companies that offer the loaded strut.

What makes seem to be readily available are TRQ, FCS, KYB, MAXX etc. Most of these companies have assemblies that fit the Explorer but not our ST trim.

So in conclusion, I am back to parting in what I need which starts with bearings. I'm only replacing the struts because of mileage. I'm on the fence as to whether or not replace the strut mounts which doesn't appear to be a wearable part.
I'm hoping someone with experience can chime in with an optional plan based on these findings.

I almost always replace the bearing when doing struts. Cheap insurance. The Explorer’s are plastic trays with ball bearings. No metal races for the bearings. I also have lowering springs so a complete assembly is a no. I used to have a customer that assembled the complete units. He told me if it were his car he would get separate strut and spring and assemble them.

Having said that, I did put some Monroe assemblies on a girlfriend’s car about 30 years ago and for how cheap they were, they rode decent.


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[GearHead_1]

I sure wouldn't have it that far apart and not put a new strut in, both sides of course.