Check Struts

[borgward]

2013 Fiesta Hatch 5 speed. Just replaced sway bar bushings and links because of loud clunking. Still some suspension noise. I previously checked ball joints which seemed good - no play and tire wear looks normal. I did not think struts were bad. I could push the body down. The body rose to normal with out a lot of oscillation. Front end does not bob up and down on the road. This car has a very thick sway bar. I think it might affect up and down oscillation when I test the struts. I think I will remove one end of the links and see if the body returns to normal or osculates up and down after I push down on it.

While replacing the sway bar links I noticed the accordion like covers at the top of the struts were on pieces. Also saw very light oily film from top of the struts.

 

[CharBaby]

Are the struts the original?
*If you are seeing oil at the top of the struts, they may be on their way out but don't necessarily need replacing yet.
*The dust boots("the accordion like covers at the top of the struts") usually get replaced when you're replacing with new struts. Yeah, I can see where the boots would be falling apart by now. Again, not a biggie at this point.
*I think that the noise that you are still hearing could be the strut mounts which again, can be replaced when installing new struts.
*If you are keeping the car for any decent length of time, when it is time to replace the struts, get good parts.
Most likely OE.
*Otherwise you'll be replacing the aftermarket struts(sooner than later) even though they probably have a lifetime warranty.
* And too, when replacing struts, keep in mind that "QUICK STRUTS"(the ones that come pre assembled with springs & mounts) are usually built for a price. And IMO, this is for shops to have a quicker turn-around, easier installation, more profit etc. Not for those of us who keep our vehicles a long, long time.
* There are better aftermarket struts out there however, I just don't know which brand they are or if they're even available for you application.

 

[borgward]

Too much trouble to replace shock mount. Might as well go new strut. Only regular non performance struts available are Koni, Monroe and Bilstein. Have to wait several weeks for Bilstein. That's OK. Wanted Sachs, not available. Those are complete assemblies. Might go Sachs non assembly but would need to replace the mount bearing. Don/t know which brand is good.

IMOHO OEM is not a guarantee of quality. Let's face it cars are assembled from aftermarket parts. Harley Davidson's are made with a lot of Chinese parts now. Aftermarket can be higher or lower quality. At close to 200,000 miles I put KYB struts on my 72 Datsun Hatchback. I then put another 600,000 miles on those struts and they were still holding up. I put KYB shocks on the rear but had to switch back to OEM as it made the car ride like a TR3.

 

[CharBaby]

Yeah, I wasn’t suggesting replacing just the mounts. I suggest replacing them when doing the struts.

 

[borgward]

I did not think you were. As for Ford parts, I tried to order brake pads or sway bar bushings from the dealer, maybe it was the links, I forget. They were not available for order. That's pretty bad.
If I order Sachs struts sans complete assy, I still need to know who has good ones.

 

[CharBaby]

Hmmm! Good/Tough question in todays market.
I suppose my preference would be KYB

 

[nascarnation]

Had two (what I considered to be premature - 60,000 miles) failures on Sachs made in Mexico shocks on a Cadillac.
Seal blowout and major fluid loss.
Not sure if this was random bad luck or a specific issue on this run of parts.

 

[borgward]

Mexico manufacturing is sub par to even China. I have Sachs shocks on the back. Made in China. No trouble. Best Sachs are made in Germany. Cost a lot more. Mexico manufacturing very poor. Bought expensive American Standard kitchen sink faucet set made in Mexico, nothing but trouble. Got to where they did not have parts for our faucet. A year later parts were delivered. I had already replaced with $80 Moen set made in Taiwan. Much better.

The sway bar bushing bolts are supposed to have 13MM hex head. 13 MM hex socket loose on bolt. 12mm to small. 1/2" socket fit perfectly. (Fiesta made in Mexico) I assume the threads are metric.

 

[nascarnation]

It's interesting how manufacturing has chased labor costs around the globe.

For auto parts it seems like US >>Mexico>>China and now I'm seeing a lot of stuff out of India, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

 

[IndyIan]

For me, I just go by how the struts are working on the road, a noticeable second dip at either end after a moderate dip in the road, means they are getting due. Totally blown ones are easier to notice as you might get a 3rd or 4 dip after the actual bump.
KYB seems to work very well for me, just had one with the centre nut a smidge loose once, but tightened that and it was good to go for 60-70k miles before the car got pulled off the road.
The rear KYB shocks on my Focus wagon now have at least 100k miles/8 years on them, still going like new, and handles 500lbs of feed every couple weeks in the trunk with no wallowing.

 

[borgward]

I do not see a significant price savings. People without jobs can't afford things even after those labor cost savings elsewhere.

 

[borgward]

My struts are still performing well but am still getting minor suspension noise. I do see evidence of seepage. Looking into replacing soon when convenient. Prefer to get complete assy if I can get it with desired strut. I suspect that if I can only get strut I will need to replace the mount bushing at the top. I can buy either the rubber bushing or bushing and mount. Why would I need to replace the mount.