Strut Replacement - 2014 Ford Explorer - Fixing old struts and loud suspension noises

[@marketchemendy2556]

Good video. I just changed the struts on a 2014 today. Didn’t need to take off the brake caliper or disconnect the steering, only the nuts/bolts that actually hold the strut in place.

[@TheClutch31]

Great video showing the noise! Most videos don’t show the darn noise!

[@hayseedfarm]

Thanks! I thought it was worth including based on how LOUD it was. Really made a difference in noise and ride quality with the new struts.

[@doyleholloway1818]

first of all those two bolts have splines on them so you dont turn them.. just remove the nuts then hammer the bolts straight out.. also to remove the the sway bar nut you put a wrench on the nut and then turn the 10mil counter clockwise...

[@hayseedfarm]

Yep. This was brought up in an earlier comment. Learned a lot on this project. Car is so much smoother riding now.

[@dennisranck1613]

This is a good video. And bless you for doing this with all hand tools. I don't think that I would want to tackle something without either a pneumatic or an electric impact.

[@hayseedfarm]

Haha! No joke. This video was THE reason I went out and bought an electric impact and socket driver for replacing the hubs. Makes everything SO much easier. Thanks for watching the video!

[@mph5896]

Nice work. I don't thing I have ever seen an adjustable wrench used that much on a car. I can't remember the last time I used mine. Got it done though.

[@hayseedfarm]

Right!? My toolbox has come a long way since this video. That was back when I didn't have a non-skip wrench set so I had to make up the difference with the adjustable wrench.

[@theodorerinehart781]

Great video, very helpful, deciding whether to DIY struts on 2013 Taurus with 168K. Glad you had good results with the quick strut. I probably would have changed sway bar links

[@hayseedfarm]

I totally agree. There are a lot of things I should have done at the same time as the struts. I ended up taking it all apart again to do the hubs several months later and still think I should have done stabilizer end links, the rest of the control arm bushings, and ball joints at the same time.

[@tywonpool]

You turned sway bar stud the wrong way. You tighten while holding nut with wrench. Wondering why you didn't explain that once you figured it out?

[@hayseedfarm]

I don't remember figuring that out until after I uploaded the video. I think someone else brought that up in another comment. Learned a lot on this project and these comments have been a lot of help.

[@la-ia1404]

Every bolt on my exploder required MAP gas. Don't even get me started on the exhaust manifold bolts. Antiseeze is your bestest friend!

[@hayseedfarm]

For real! Luckily we don't have a lot of rust issues with our cars. This car was from Texas and has only been in Kansas for about 3 years. I put anti seize on EVERYTHING that is exposed to the elements. I think it's nearly criminal that they aren't put together that way in the first place. When I did the hubs on the exploder, everything was stuck together and it took hours just to get the brakes rotors off.

[@jackalandia81]

thank you so much for sharing,

[@hayseedfarm]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@earfman7527]

Great video, I love your flannel shirts.

[@hayseedfarm]

Thanks. They are perfect for cool days in the spring and fall.

[@earfman7527]

@@hayseedfarm Absolutely

[@vanderbaran]

Excuse me where you buy the struts maybe have the link ?

[@hayseedfarm]

Links below. Added these to the pinned comment as well. MONROE 272729 - www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8702784&pt=15174&jsn=10 MONROE 272730 - www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8702788&pt=15174&jsn=13

[@hayseedfarm]

Links to assembled struts in this video: MONROE 272729 - www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8702784&pt=15174&jsn=10 MONROE 272730 - www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=8702788&pt=15174&jsn=13

[@Ryan-mn2dd]

I watched the 1A auto video on this and they didn't touch the lower control arm bushings or brake caliper. Do you think you could've done it without removing the caliper? Thanks!

[@hayseedfarm]

I was replacing other parts at the same time, so it may not be necessary to remove the caliper for only replacing the strut. I typically do remove the caliper and any brake line supports so I can move the whole caliper out of the way for easier access to hardware behind the knuckle. However, if you do leave the caliper on, you will want to make sure you remove the brake line support attached to the strut before hand. If this is still attached when the strut is removed, you may damage the brake line.

[@abiodunjimoh6194]

So after a year of changing the struts, are they’re still running smoothly? Which of the stands did you get?

[@hayseedfarm]

There are running great. I went with Monroe Quick-Strut from Rock Auto. I don't expect these to last as long as the Ford ones, but this was what I could afford at the time.

[@TheJustina102085]

I just had new front struts replaced on my 2015 Ford Explorer.. I know have a steering problem. When driving such as a pulling out from a stop either left or right, but the wheel doesn’t want to return to center on its own. I have to turn the wheel back to center myself.. my questions is it possible they did something wrong!? The shop stated I didn’t need an alignment which I wish I had them do so I could at least narrow that out..

[@hayseedfarm]

It would be hard to advice on what’s wrong without knowing what the shop had done. My advice would be to take it back to the shop as soon as you can so they can try to solve the problem.

[@TheJustina102085]

@@hayseedfarm that’s what I’m planning on once I have a day off. I just wish I knew some possible issues that a poorly/improper strut replacement would cause so they’re more inclined to admit to fault if they were in fact at fault. I only perform basic repairs myself , such as as Brakes, fluid change etc. I love your videos though, ; the instructions are detailed, still remaining clear & coherent. The videos are very helpful for a non-mechanic such as myself. I’m actually planning on replacing my wheel bearing/ hub myself. I look forward to more videos of your explorer repairs!! Also, thank you for taking the rime to respond to my comment.

[@PapiRaza]

Would be perfect if you had a flashlight

[@hayseedfarm]

Story of my life. I did this video a long time ago and now that I have a dedicated place to work on stuff, it is easier to light the spaces I am working.

[@GasHauler127]

How many miles were on the Explorer when you did this?

[@hayseedfarm]

I want to say about 120K. We got a lot of life out of these.

[@GERARDO1988ful]

Where did u buy the parts from?

[@hayseedfarm]

I normally buy my parts from RockAuto.com. I think it's a really easy to use site and it's hard to beat their prices.

[@ramanpreciado2241]

The best fix is to trade it in for a 2010 explorer....way better and not a range rover knock off.

[@hayseedfarm]

Tell me about it, but we're trying to keep driving this thing as long as we can. It's at 125K miles and I feel like I'm replacing everything. I've got to do the front hubs soon.

[@tmacfan824]

LOL, Ya no thanks

[@MrBchott]

Is your car a 2wd or 4wd ?

[@hayseedfarm]

This Explorer is 2WD.

[@frankiel5127]

Work too hard brother. Caliper & tie rod removal is unnecessary. Good job nonetheless

[@hayseedfarm]

You're right. I thought I called it out in the video, but this was part of a bigger project. Not necessary for the quick strut. Knuckle was coming off for replacing the hub.

[@lootllama8862]

Serious, you are obviously not concerned about the damage you just did to those rims and maybe the tires? That's what they make jack stands for not your tires and wheels. Oi Vey! Let's not forget the underside of the rest of the car. Like wind deflector, radiator ETC!!!!

[@hayseedfarm]

Someone else asked about this too. The car is not resting on the wheels. The car is on jack stands. The tires are there in case the jack stands fail while I'm under the car.

[@jasonghall]

lol....you set it down the EX down on the front two tires and I cringed!!! "Your poor Rims!!" Then the next angle of the wheel well, you have them behind the front tires, with the truck up off them. That is the way I've always seen it done. Also, did you feel like you did not need to take the caliper off? I watched another video, and I believe I've done it myself on other vehicles, where that is unnecessary.

[@hayseedfarm]

Good catch. I definitely didn't intend for it to look like I was setting the truck down on the wheels. I've always used the tires as a safety when jacking up vehicles in case the car falls off the stands. It's never happened (knock on wood) but better safe than sorry. Thinking back, I don't think you'd need to remove the brake calipers if I hadn't also been removing the LCA bushings the same day. There was nothing supporting the axels and I didn't want to put unnecessary strain on the brake lines.