Struts for 2003 Explorer | Ford Explorer Forums - Serious Explorations

  • Register Today It's free!

Struts for 2003 Explorer

Bob Brooks

New Member
Joined
August 18, 2007
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
City, State
Houston, TX
Year, Model & Trim Level
03 Explorer Limited4wdV8
My research into replacement struts for my '03 has been long and frustrating. The dealer wants $400 to replace all 4 with OEM struts. My internet research and previous experience with aftermarket shocks on a 98 Expedition has led me to the KYB GR-2 struts. Having sold my floor jack and stands, and not wanting to learn about spring compressors, I have ruled out installing these myself.

Here in Houston there are 25-30 locations that install KYB's; most of them being Brake Check, who wants $920 to install all 4....NO THANKS. A local Firestone store is doing the job for me for $498. Hope I am not being misled. More after the job is done.

BTW, if you have a model for which Edelbrock makes a IAS Performer shock, go with that. The IAS shocks produced an AMAZING improvement in my 98 Expedition...comfort, control, etc.
 



Join the Elite Explorers for $20 each year or try it out for $5 a month.

Elite Explorer members see no advertisements, no banner ads, no double underlined links,.
Add an avatar, upload photo attachments, and more!
.





Ebay has a couple of people selling OEM stock struts and springs combos for reasonable prices.
 






I looked too. Last year they only had OEM from a Dealer. About $83 each.
The Dealer had a special ad on the shop wall $200 a pair installed (looked like an old sign). Well when I got it back they tried to charge me $850 for the four BUT 'look at the wall' I said '$400'. . . 'let me talk to the manager' they said. . . shop manager mistake special $400 all 4 installed plus Tax. Last time in they changed the sign and upped it to $300 a pair.

I'd add Monroe SensaTracs they now have them for 3rd Gens. Have had two set on my jeeps, great ride. Last I heard (sold it) one set is still going strong after 80k the other is 50k now.

Look for another link below 2003 Ford Explorer 4.6 XLT Suspension
Jim
 






I was looking into new struts too, i ran across Rancho, that has replacement struts also for 3rd gens, " I'm not talking about the quick lift ones"
I think they are RSX 17000 series. and Summit had them from around $99.00 ea. wich is not bad for Ranchos. I dont need them yet, so thats as far as i went with it, Good luck.
 






I looked into replacements a while back, and found Monroe makes them. Advance Auto Parts can get them for around 70 bucks a piece.
A buddy of mine works for a Federated Auto Parts store and he checked into some KYB GR-2, or better yet, MonoMax for this vehicle, and he came up with nothing in any line he carried.

I always liked Gabriel shocks and struts, but never checked to see if they made any for this vehicle yet.

Edit: AutoZone can get the Gabriel struts for these vehcles. $86.99 for the fronts, and $73.99 for the rears.
 






KYB Struts

Just had 4 KYB GR-2 struts installed on my 2003. $467 + sales tax; all in.

I had hoped these would absorb a bit more of the pavement irregularities and little blips, but they seem the same as the OEM in that regard. But, their rebound is quicker so there is more control. Overall, an improvement.

If I wanted a smoother ride I should have kept my 98 Expedition, right? Too big.

I was quoted as high as $960 for this job, but called around and got this price from a local Firestone dealer. His labor to install all 4 was only $89.
 






$89 labor to install all 4??!? WOW! That's one heckuva deal. Our shop rate is a paltry $65/hour, and we'd have charged according to the Motor Labor Guide. I looked these up, and there must be an error in the book. They list '95-'04 all together, even though we all know the '02+ have a totally different suspension than the earlier years (Sport Trac and Sport don't). They show 0.8 hours for both front "shocks" and 1.2 hours for both rears.

I know for a fact that both fronts can't be changed in less than an hour.

You got an absolutely amazing deal on that job, and I'm sure the shop lost money on their labor.
 






$89 labor to install all 4??!? WOW! That's one heckuva deal. Our shop rate is a paltry $65/hour, and we'd have charged according to the Motor Labor Guide. I looked these up, and there must be an error in the book. They list '95-'04 all together, even though we all know the '02+ have a totally different suspension than the earlier years (Sport Trac and Sport don't). They show 0.8 hours for both front "shocks" and 1.2 hours for both rears.

I know for a fact that both fronts can't be changed in less than an hour.

You got an absolutely amazing deal on that job, and I'm sure the shop lost money on their labor.

I guess they make it up on volume!

While waiting for the job to be finished, while my wife high-tailed it out of a Houston neighborhood that makes her very nervous, I had the "privilege" of thumbing through a copy of "DUB". Man Alive, the hip-hop bling thing has reached truly stomach-turning proportions! How about a set of diamond and ruby encrusted wheels for $2,000,000!
 






I'm guessing they may use the same labor guide as us, which is definitely in error. But since they have to go "by the book", they have to stick to what it says.
That's one problem with a shop that runs on flat rate...Sometimes it's great for the customer, but bad for the business. Other times, you get some "gravy jobs" that have a much higher labor time than what it actually takes to get the job done, so I guess it balances out.
 






Back
Top