Strut issue

[Daniel Lee]

So I’ve been having issues with replacing the passenger strut. I had taken my 2015 Explorer in for some warranty work and one of the things replaced was the strut assembly. My mechanic had replaced this twice so far with the noise coming back shortly after installed. It sounds as if the spring is binding when turning. I beginning to think maybe it has to do with the orientation of the top. I believe there is some kind of marking in which direction to place it but I’m not sure. I’ve included a video to show what I’m talking about.

 

[Pwerdbybeard]

When you are turning, do you feel the vibration?

 

[Daniel Lee]

When you are turning, do you feel the vibration?

Not the normal popping like a strut bearing but more like light vibration from the spring rubbing.

 

[peterk9]

I believe that I've read in some posts that there is a marking (arrow?) on the top and that it should point one way. Can't recall in or out. Also, IO found this note in a post bt member Stephen Cannon;
"BIGGEST INSTALL NOTE........Ensure the upper mounting nuts are tightened Twice. Once for initial tightening but when the vehicle gets off jacks and weight gets back on the wheels they will have to be tightened and torqued again. Commonly called Pre Load (weight OFF wheels) and load (Weight ON Wheels) DO NOT TOUCH THE CENTER UPPER NUT. Just in case you are tempted and want to ignore the safety sticker that is provided with the QSA. I garauntee you will only do it once."

Peter

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

Are they Motorcraft? All new strut mounts?

 

[Daniel Lee]

Are they Motorcraft? All new strut mounts?

So it was replaced under a third party warranty who would only replace the one side. I am not sure of the brand.

 

[03WIExplorerLtd]

I see. You can have almost instant failure with non Motorcraft struts and mounts. Maybe they won't. Search the internet. Try to find out, should have part number of any invoice etc if those are available. My mechanic said if you want to fix and sell, go cheap otherwise Motorcraft for Ford.

Monroe, Chinese knockoffs, A1auto, etc are low quality. Go Motorcraft or go home.

 

[Daniel Lee]

I see. You can have almost instant failure with non Motorcraft struts and mounts. Maybe they won't. Search the internet. Try to find out, should have part number of any invoice etc if those are available. My mechanic said if you want to fix and sell, go cheap otherwise Motorcraft for Ford.

Monroe, Chinese knockoffs, A1auto, etc are low quality. Go Motorcraft or go home.

I’ll see what the mechanic says about it. I agree on the quality of parts. I do question wether though the orientation is right.

 

[Yanik4]

I had have this exact issue with my 2016. Dealer quoted $550 plus taxes and fees for this - replace passenger upper strut mount.

Bought on amazon (search for Motorcraft AD1147 Bracket) and replaced myself. The original was quite loose and grindy. The noise went away and then came back again a week later, took it off and re-torqued everything again. Was fine for almost a year and now came back again.

I plan to take it off again, get a better torque wrench and re-torque everything to specs (and follow Peter's advice above to check after back on the ground)

 

[Daniel Lee]

I had have this exact issue with my 2016. Dealer quoted $550 plus taxes and fees for this - replace passenger upper strut mount.

Bought on amazon (search for Motorcraft AD1147 Bracket) and replaced myself. The original was quite loose and grindy. The noise went away and then came back again a week later, took it off and re-torqued everything again. Was fine for almost a year and now came back again.

I plan to take it off again, get a better torque wrench and re-torque everything to specs (and follow Peter's advice above to check after back on the ground)

It’s going back to the mechanic to replace it again. I’ll pass on the info everyone mentioned and see how it goes. If it happens again I’ll just buy a Ford one myself and do it. This is getting old real fast.