Help with Struts and Shocks

[shumax]

107k on 2007 SEL AWD. Replaced stab links in front with Moog Parts - worked fine. Put car on a 1,200 mile road trip and am noticing the knocking in the front is getting louder - only at higher speeds such as 35-40mph and higher when I hit raised bumps in the road. Inspected LCA and ball joints appear tight. Tried to pry on them and lift and noticed no play/movement. I now am nearly certain it's the strut bearings. Had a Firestone I use change the oil and they agreed. As an aside, the local Firestone's in my area have a semi synthetic oil change deal going on right now - $15.99 for 5 quarts and a filter! WOW! Anyway, the noise is not all of the time, but it's becoming more frequent. Doubt it's a safety issue, so it may wait until this fall when I put the snow tires on. We average 800 miles/month on it, so it won't accumulate that many additional miles in the next 4-5 months.

 

I know "MACBWT" had videos on the rear, but I can't find it now. Help? How about for the front? I plan to buy the parts online. I'm thinking just the strut (no need for the dust covers, etc., right?) and the strut bearing/top mount. Anything else I should be sure to buy for the front? Same question for the rear.

 

Thanks in advance!
Shumax

[shumax]

Also, I am noticing that I can't find OEM rear shocks. It's either Monroe or KYB. If that is indeed the case, which would you all go with? In the videos, it appears a Monroe part did not make it that long. Thoughts? Thanks!

[macbwt]

I have worked with both monroe and KYB. I am personally going with KYB for the front and will be doing the same on the rear. The monroe shocks and struts just felt too soft. KYB seem to feel firmer. My research and experience also confirms your thoughts that monroes do not last very long which is why I am going with KYB.

 

Here is a link to my Youtube channel. Just subscribe and you will be notified of all new videos I upload.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJb7karK2nhyA7G1BW6xESg

 

Keep the bellows and bump stops in place the bellows help protect the shaft and the bump stop (of course) stops the bumps should you hit a really hard pot hole. Will be replacing my front struts soon and a video will be put up on my youtube channel. Rears will also be replaced. This however will be on the 2011 vice the 2008, which is not much of a difference overall. Note: you can reuse the bellows and bump stop from the old struts unless they are damaged.

 

You have a bearing mount going bad or actually has gone bad. The bumping will increase. Based on your miles and driving habits start planning now and buying parts and by winter time you should be ready to install them (both) replace both at the same time.

 

As far as bearing mounts I am going with the Moog bearing mounts. I have tried others and they have failed both times and the Moogs held up when the others did not. It was an expensive job to replace failed parts twice. Just an FYI

[shumax]

Thanks for the reply, sir! Question: Have you not used Motorcraft parts as replacements for a reason? I ask because my theory was they lasted 107k, why not plug them back in as a replacement? Sounds like I will use KYB in the rear, but I had planned for Motorcraft struts and struts bearings. Just looking for your thought process there.

 

As long as my wife doesn't start complaining about it being worse, I likely won't tackle this until November when I put the stow tires on. I planned to do it then as I have the car aligned then, anyway, because of the installation of the snow tires/rims.

Thanks again for your efforts here and with the videos!

Shumax

[macbwt]

Motorcraft strut bearing mounts make you use the old buffer ring and have a 24 month unlimited mileage warranty. Cost 35 dollars more or less

 

Moog provides the buffer ring and have an unlimited lifetime warranty. Cost 50 dollars (more or less)

 

Based on your driving the motor craft may make economical sense. Based on my driving the Moog make more sense, plus a new buffer ring helps keep things quieter. You add on buying the ring to the Motorcraft part and you will see you pay the same amount but have a lesser warranty.

 

Personally The change out of the struts will be dictated by the failure of the weakest part. I change the entire strut/bearing mount when one part fails. I usually get about 60-80k out of the aftermarket stuff. I am sure the struts in my current Edge are worn, but milking them until parts are purchased and the winter weather is near.

Thanks for the reply, sir! Question: Have you not used Motorcraft parts as replacements for a reason? I ask because my theory was they lasted 107k, why not plug them back in as a replacement? Sounds like I will use KYB in the rear, but I had planned for Motorcraft struts and struts bearings. Just looking for your thought process there.

 

As long as my wife doesn't start complaining about it being worse, I likely won't tackle this until November when I put the stow tires on. I planned to do it then as I have the car aligned then, anyway, because of the installation of the snow tires/rims.

Thanks again for your efforts here and with the videos!

Shumax

[macbwt]

Just a note on KYB Struts: Lifetime warranty

 

Motorcraft: two year warranty

 

Through Rockauto you can pay for the replacement under warranty and when they receive the worn part you get your payment returned to your credit card or you buy the new part outright and return the worn part for a replacement part. I usually buy the replacement and install it then mail the worn part back for a new part thus have a new part waiting to be installed. This works for me since I know I will be replacing this part in the future. Suspension parts ALWAYS wear out.

[shumax]

Good perspective - thanks! Look forward to you "how to" on the front struts?

[Ironpeddler]

I have worked with both monroe and KYB. I am personally going with KYB for the front and will be doing the same on the rear. The monroe shocks and struts just felt too soft. KYB seem to feel firmer. My research and experience also confirms your thoughts that monroes do not last very long which is why I am going with KYB.

 

Here is a link to my Youtube channel. Just subscribe and you will be notified of all new videos I upload.

 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJb7karK2nhyA7G1BW6xESg

 

Keep the bellows and bump stops in place the bellows help protect the shaft and the bump stop (of course) stops the bumps should you hit a really hard pot hole. Will be replacing my front struts soon and a video will be put up on my youtube channel. Rears will also be replaced. This however will be on the 2011 vice the 2008, which is not much of a difference overall. Note: you can reuse the bellows and bump stop from the old struts unless they are damaged.

 

You have a bearing mount going bad or actually has gone bad. The bumping will increase. Based on your miles and driving habits start planning now and buying parts and by winter time you should be ready to install them (both) replace both at the same time.

 

As far as bearing mounts I am going with the Moog bearing mounts. I have tried others and they have failed both times and the Moogs held up when the others did not. It was an expensive job to replace failed parts twice. Just an FYI

 

Mac, where are the front bump stops located on your old 2008 Edge? Do you remember? I have the same year and I'm experiencing some bottoming out issues.

 

Thanks!!

[macbwt]

A large rubber bump stop can be placed on the strut. The edge does not have bump stops. Install it on the strut by sliding the rubber absorber over the strut shaft.