• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Subframe bushing braces and billet vertical links.

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#1
I’ve played with a lot of parts on my car…very few made an eye opening difference. The rear swaybar is one, drop springs…an intercooler is another one…now these things are out there in the wild and whether you go with FenFab or Steeda doesn’t matter as long as you get a set. The difference is immediate and substantial. This is truly how the car should have felt from the factory. You may not know it but you NEED a subframe bushing brace kit. And while you’re in there Brett has his billet vertical links live on his site now too.
 

Attachments

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,393
Reactions
1,033
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#2
Excellent advice. I put the subframe kit on a couple weeks ago and noticed the difference immediately. Have the steeds vertical link reinforcement kit ready to go on when I get back from Florida. Seeing Brett’s links I am kind of sorry I got the steeds kit but we will see how they do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #3
Excellent advice. I put the subframe kit on a couple weeks ago and noticed the difference immediately. Have the steeds vertical link reinforcement kit ready to go on when I get back from Florida. Seeing Brett’s links I am kind of sorry I got the steeds kit but we will see how they do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have the Steeda vertical link insert installed as well but I still have Brett’s billet links ordered. I’ll flip the Steeda kit when I swap out the parts.
 

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,393
Reactions
1,033
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#4
I have the Steeda vertical link insert installed as well but I still have Brett’s billet links ordered. I’ll flip the Steeda kit when I swap out the parts.
They definitely look like a better solution albeit more expensive. Likely a slightly better product given the billet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,476
Reactions
722
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#5
My order of effectiveness: 1. RSB, 2. Lowering springs, 3. PIU struts/shocks, 4. subframe bushings inserts.
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #6
My order of effectiveness: 1. RSB, 2. Lowering springs, 3. PIU struts/shocks, 4. subframe bushings inserts.
I don’t disagree but until there’s actual proof the PIU parts are different I think replacing any shocks and struts over 50-60k miles will see a nice improvement….PIU or ST replacements.
 

Messages
357
Reactions
324
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#7
Couldn't have said it better Richard. People don't understand how much of a change these subframe bushing inserts make. This is a must do mod. And super easy too.

And I'll have to order up Brett's vertical links as well. I got the Steeda VLI as they were cheap, but also in my head I thought the vertical links were harder to replace than they actually are. Travis' video was awesome.
 

Messages
408
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#8
I have the Steeda VLI's on my WTB list but those look much nicer. Can you provide a link to them please?
 

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
Messages
286
Reactions
90
Points
27
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
#10
Could you go into a bit more detail about bushing inserts.
What exactly do you notice about the drive?
I really dont do many launches but wonder how these would affect the ride quality.
I have Steeda springs and rear sway bar, plus the CV fab intercooler and E50 tune.
As always thanks for the insight.
 

Messages
408
Reactions
134
Points
37
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#11
I found the most noticeable difference in cornering, especially coming off the highway. It’s hard to describe other than the vehicle feels more planted. I hit the off ramps pretty aggressively and she stays flat and hooked. Same thing when accelerating through the curves of the on ramps. It’s just something you have to feel for yourself. Very easy to install also. Took me less than an hour.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:

Stone - ST

New Member
Messages
12
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Prospect, KY
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#12
One of my rear shocks is leaking bad with 27K miles. I tried to order the PIU rear shocks from Varsity Ford and they said my VIN was invalid. I ordered:

Part Number Part Name Price Quantity Total
LB5Z-18125-J Shock Absorber Assembly $113.12 2 $226.24

Do I try to find the VIN for an interceptor to give them? Thx
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #13
Nope…that’s right.
 

Excalibur

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
Messages
32
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Moncks Corner, SC
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#14
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
 

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
Messages
1,393
Reactions
1,033
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#15
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
Subframe kit Improved handling significantly imo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:
OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #16
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
Everything improves…no cons. I’d rate these high in the top 5 most effective mods available for these cars…factor in the low cost…top 2.
 

Messages
12
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Prospect, KY
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#17
Nope…that’s right.
I just had to send them a message that I did indeed want the PIU shocks instead of the stock ones. Going to install them tomorrow. It is really squirrely with one shock with little oil.
 

ssw

New Member
Messages
15
Reactions
15
Points
2
Location
Jupiter
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#18
I have the Gearhead tune, CVF Intercooler, front and rear AFE sway bars and I never thought about the subframe kit. Big thanks to UNBROKEN, I would not have done this mod but for your great review/recomendation. Huge improvement in ride, handling and feel, Totally agree with UNBROKEN, definately a top 5 mod. $215 at Steeda and $75 front end alignment, this mod is a no brainer
 

Messages
46
Reactions
24
Points
2
Location
Pittsburgh Pa
#19
I’ve played with a lot of parts on my car…very few made an eye opening difference. The rear swaybar is one, drop springs…an intercooler is another one…now these things are out there in the wild and whether you go with FenFab or Steeda doesn’t matter as long as you get a set. The difference is immediate and substantial. This is truly how the car should have felt from the factory. You may not know it but you NEED a subframe bushing brace kit. And while you’re in there Brett has his billet vertical links live on his site now too.
Do the bushings & the vertical links go hand in hand? Or could I start with what's available (bushings) ? Do I need both?
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Messages
4,248
Reactions
4,956
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #20
Bushing braces first. Vertical links after toe links.
 



Top