Replacement struts - 2016 PIU - and other musings

[gw2002]

Trying to find the one-for-one replacement for my 2016 PIU's front strut assemblies. Entered my VIN on a Ford parts OEM website and I see two options for a left strut:

-Suspension Strut FB5Z-18124-E - Left 3.7L without rough road. Police interceptor.
-Suspension Strut FB5Z-18124-G Explorer. 3.7l. Left. With rough road. Police interceptor. Non-painted calipers. 3.5L turbo, without hd brakes to 12/07/2016.

The first one is twice as much as the second one (neither is very expensive). What does rough road mean, and why is it half the price of the "non" rough-road?

What's the right one? I have a 3.7L flex engine.

While I'm talking about it, other than the sway bar links and the struts, what would you recommend to replace to make the steering less shaky and bumpy?

 

[peterk9]

The Ford parts site
Left (non-rough road) $108.12 2016-2019 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Suspension Strut FB5Z-18124-E | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
Left (rough road) $66.06 2016-2019 Ford Strut FB5Z-18124-G | Auto Nation Ford White Bear Lake
Likely much less expensive than the Ford site. Not sure why one is more expensive than the other. I'm guessing the non-rough road ones are used for city patrols. Just a guess though.

Peter

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Trying to find the one-for-one replacement for my 2016 PIU's front strut assemblies. Entered my VIN on a Ford parts OEM website and I see two options for a left strut:

-Suspension Strut FB5Z-18124-E - Left 3.7L without rough road. Police interceptor.
-Suspension Strut FB5Z-18124-G Explorer. 3.7l. Left. With rough road. Police interceptor. Non-painted calipers. 3.5L turbo, without hd brakes to 12/07/2016.

The first one is twice as much as the second one (neither is very expensive). What does rough road mean, and why is it half the price of the "non" rough-road?

What's the right one? I have a 3.7L flex engine.

While I'm talking about it, other than the sway bar links and the struts, what would you recommend to replace to make the steering less shaky and bumpy?

Get new strut mounts with struts. Waste without. All motorcraft parts.

Also have you taken it to a mechanic? Might be loose ball joints or tie rod eyes.

 

[Skullcandy]

Rock auto has the motorcraft struts and I tried KYB strut tops and they failed right where the strut bolts up to them. Ordered the motorcraft strut tops from a online Ford parts store And everything is good again.

 

[gw2002]

all good - changed struts and sway bar links. Still have a VERY rough ride up front. Maybe that's just how the PIUs drive....

 

[jvcalvin]

all good - changed struts and sway bar links. Still have a VERY rough ride up front. Maybe that's just how the PIUs drive....

Maybe manually check your tire pressure. One time I bought a Cadillac. TPMS said it had 36 psi. I kept taking it to the dealership complaining of a rough ride. After 3 times, they finally noticed the tire pressure was actually at 20. It cupped all 4 tires, and damaged my suspension by the time I figured it out.