Are there any suggestions for a reasonable priced quality replacement shock for the '03 4.6 litre explorer?

[Mike Hamkens]

Are there any suggestions for a reasonably priced, quality replacement shock for the '03 4.6 litre explorer?

 

[LMHmedchem]

I suppose that depends a bit on what you call "reasonable". Do you mean just the shock absorber or the entire strut assembly? I assume that you mean the entire strut.

I think that Munroe is a quality brand,
MONROE 171321 Quick-Strut Front ($77)
MONROE 171322 Quick-Strut Rear ($82)

It happens that the Motorcraft rear quick struts are on sale at RockAuto,
MOTORCRAFT ASTL6 Quick Strut Rear ($39)

I use KYB and I think that the price is reasonable,
KYB SR4081 Strut-Plus Front ($114)
KYB SR4051 Strut-Plus Rear ($122)

I think that all of these options are high quality and a reasonable price, but it does add up if you need all 4, plus you will want an alignment after replacement.

If you just want the shock absorber, then you have to deal with compressing the spring and rebuilding your strut assembly. That is to much work for me, but either Munroe or Motorcraft shocks should be a reasonable price in that format as well.

For me, the nut retainer on the strut bolt had rusted off. This can make it difficult to remove the nut to get the strut off. If it hasn't been rounded off, you can probably use a 24mm or 25mm socket to lock it in place. Otherwise, you will need a 25mm bolt extraction socket which is probably not in your box. Sometimes you can wedge in a chisel or something like that to keep the nut from turning while you turn from the bolt end.

I would make sure you can get that nut off, as well as the 3 nuts on the top before you commit to buying new parts. The top nuts on the rear can be very hard to get to.

I replaced the retainer nut on mine, they are not too expensive.
Ford Suspension Strut Nut W710747S436 ($5)

LMHmedchem

 

[Mike Hamkens]

I suppose that depends a bit on what you call "reasonable". Do you mean just the shock absorber or the entire strut assembly? I assume that you mean the entire strut.

I think that Munroe is a quality brand,
MONROE 171321 Quick-Strut Front ($77)
MONROE 171322 Quick-Strut Rear ($82)

It happens that the Motorcraft rear quick struts are on sale at RockAuto,
MOTORCRAFT ASTL6 Quick Strut Rear ($39)

I use KYB and I think that the price is reasonable,
KYB SR4081 Strut-Plus Front ($114)
KYB SR4051 Strut-Plus Rear ($122)

I think that all of these options are high quality and a reasonable price, but it does add up if you need all 4, plus you will want an alignment after replacement.

If you just want the shock absorber, then you have to deal with compressing the spring and rebuilding your strut assembly. That is to much work for me, but either Munroe or Motorcraft shocks should be a reasonable price in that format as well.

For me, the nut retainer on the strut bolt had rusted off. This can make it difficult to remove the nut to get the strut off. If it hasn't been rounded off, you can probably use a 24mm or 25mm socket to lock it in place. Otherwise, you will need a 25mm bolt extraction socket which is probably not in your box. Sometimes you can wedge in a chisel or something like that to keep the nut from turning while you turn from the bolt end.

I would make sure you can get that nut off, as well as the 3 nuts on the top before you commit to buying new parts. The top nuts on the rear can be very hard to get to.

I replaced the retainer nut on mine, they are not too expensive.
Ford Suspension Strut Nut W710747S436 ($5)

LMHmedchem

 

[Mike Hamkens]

Thank you! I'm just in the planning stages. I'm got about 215,000 miles and reviewing what I may need to do.

 

[LMHmedchem]

Well you can take your time and look out for good prices. I would check to make sure you can get the nuts off before wading in your self. My mechanic lets me bring my own parts, so I don't worry if I get stuck and have to let him finish it for me. Not everyone has that situation and in those cases I would put more time into making sure you don't get stuck.

If you need to do the rear set, I would definitely grab a pair of the Motorcraft from RockAuto right now. Even if you are going to wait a while, those struts usually go for around $200-$250, each, not the $39 that RockAuto is charging. This is marked as a wholesaler closeout, which means that RockAuto bought out a wholesaler who was getting rid of their inventory, or the part isn't going to be made anymore, etc. These don't have any more than a 30 day warranty for that reason but it's still a great deal.

I had to do my rear struts after about 140,000 since one of the coil springs broke. The fronts are still original, but I am only at 155,000.

LMHmedchem

 

[Mike Hamkens]

Well you can take your time and look out for good prices. I would check to make sure you can get the nuts off before wading in your self. My mechanic lets me bring my own parts, so I don't worry if I get stuck and have to let him finish it for me. Not everyone has that situation and in those cases I would put more time into making sure you don't get stuck.

If you need to do the rear set, I would definitely grab a pair of the Motorcraft from RockAuto right now. Even if you are going to wait a while, those struts usually go for around $200-$250, each, not the $39 that RockAuto is charging. This is marked as a wholesaler closeout, which means that RockAuto bought out a wholesaler and is just getting rid of all the inventory. These don't have any more than a 30 day warranty for that reason but it's still a great deal.

I had to do my rear struts after about 140,000 since one of the coil springs broke. The fronts are still original, but I am only at 155,000.

LMHmedchem

Thank you!