Wife's CR-V needs struts.

[D60]

I understand OP didn't want OEM, but I recently ordered two Honda struts for the rear of a '10 CrossTour. Cost was $362 delivered. Not exactly cheap I agree, and these are a-la-carte

It seems Honda does offer some quick struts, but they're disco'd on a relatively obscure application like a 15-year-old CrossTour (honestly I have no idea if the Accord pieces were the same)

I personally wouldn't choose the KYBs as I think quality has dropped considerably in recent years, but I like blondes and don't like onions......so whatever blows your skirt up.

 

[melk]

My local Honda-only shop just installed KYB Strut-Plus on all 4 corners of my ‘07 CRV. Very happy with them

 

[Nukeman7]

This thread motivated me to see how much it would cost to replace all the struts assemblies on our daughter's 2009 CR-V using KYB Strut-Plus mentioned several times in this thread (sometimes positively, others times not so positively). With tax, they'd cost ~$750 through Amazon (shipped and sold by Amazon, not a third party). Slightly higher cost from other sources.

It would be less from Rockauto (even with shipping), especially if you apply a 5% discount code.

I'd seriously consider the HL Mando strut assemblies for ~$344 if you don't plan to keep the CR-V more than another 5-6 years. Mando is OEM for Hyundai/KIA, which have no systemic issues with suspension ills.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

06' Camry , 03' Solara , Detroit Axle , 4 per car.. No problems. 50k/ 6 yrs. & sill going..... Wasn't sinking tons of $$$ into those heaps. So far, so good. No complaints. Ride fine, no leaks. They were quik struts and even came with sway bar links. That was years ago. Trump tariff's probably put the kibash on those.....

 

[rstcso]

It would be less from Rockauto (even with shipping), especially if you apply a 5% discount code.

View attachment 291739

@Nukeman7 I went to RockAuto and added these to a cart and calculated shipping. Before tax, about $50 less. Where do you get a 5% discount code? Would you recommend replacing the sway bar links while I'm there? If so, any particular brand? Thank you for your help.

 

[Nukeman7]

@Nukeman7 I went to RockAuto and added these to a cart and calculated shipping. Before tax, about $50 less. Where do you get a 5% discount code? Would you recommend replacing the sway bar links while I'm there? If so, any particular brand? Thank you for your help.

Members routinely post them on BITOG. Use one of the codes that expire in August 2025 posted HERE. You will need to enter the code in the "How Did You Hear About Us?" block when checking out (see below).

I prefer to use the Korean CTR (sealed) or Moog (greaseable) sway bar links because both brands have the hex nut on the base of the mounting studs instead of the weak recessed hex cavity in the end of the studs. OEM Honda sway bar links are a pain to remove because they are installed with interference thread deformable nuts. I guarantee that you will need to destructively remove one or more of the old SBLs. The CTR sway bar links are available on PartsGeek.com

 

[50yr Street Mech]

I prefer Moog ( when only doing sway bar links or ball joints ) They have a hex nut at the base you can grab with a wrench,,,, if you need to remove without destroying them, and they come with zerk fittings to keep fresh grease in them to extend longevity. Moogs are also beefier than you're standard link. I also like Moog Problem Solver ball joints. Very well made.,and also have zerk fittings. Living in the salt belt, you need to keep fresh grease in these wearable parts. The salt will just destroy them.

 

[AKhan87]

I went to RockAuto and added these to a cart and calculated shipping. Before tax, about $50 less. Where do you get a 5% discount code? Would you recommend replacing the sway bar links while I'm there? If so, any particular brand? Thank you for your help.

So I called Monroe to learn about their lifetime warranty, they said that it applies if you purchased from an authorized third party seller, Amazon was included but RockAuto was not, if you plan to do this, I would call KYB and confirm their warranty process.

Rockauto charges you to ship back defective parts and then ships the replacements to you at their cost, for complete strut assemblies, that's a lot of money to ship them, even with their discounted shipped labels.

All I would recommend is doing your research, and yes replace the sway bar end links if they are worn or have the same age as the struts you are replacing (Use OEM)

I’ve recently replaced front struts on my wife’s pilot (passenger side all leaked out and the strut was shot) with KYB struts, kept OEM spring and replaced bearing and other accessories with OEM Honda parts. Works great

This is what I would recommend from my experience and what I have seen other mechanics that I trust recommend as well.

Keep the OEM springs and use new OEM accessories, they are very high quality (unless you are in the 200k mile range then I would replace the springs with New OEMs) if you really want to use KYBs, though I would recommend OEM in case of Honda and even Toyota.

 

[thescreensavers]

+1 for B4 or B6 Bilstein

BILSTEIN B4: Driving experience just like on the first day
BILSTEIN B6: Improved OE replacement for high demands

 

[Elkins45]

I prefer Moog ( when only doing sway bar links or ball joints ) They have a hex nut at the base you can grab with a wrench,,,, if you need to remove without destroying them, and they come with zerk fittings to keep fresh grease in them to extend longevity. Moogs are also beefier than you're standard link. I also like Moog Problem Solver ball joints. Very well made.,and also have zerk fittings. Living in the salt belt, you need to keep fresh grease in these wearable parts. The salt will just destroy them.

I like that configuration much more than the torx or hex wrench in the middle ones. My xB has a $60 Duralast on one side and an $18 Moog on the other. If the Duralast goes bad it’s getting another Moog in its place.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Members routinely post them on BITOG. Use one of the codes that expire in August 2025 posted HERE. You will need to enter the code in the "How Did You Hear About Us?" block when checking out (see below).
View attachment 291765
I prefer to use the Korean CTR (sealed) or Moog (greaseable) sway bar links because both brands have the hex nut on the base of the mounting studs instead of the weak recessed hex cavity in the end of the studs. OEM Honda sway bar links are a pain to remove because they are installed with interference thread deformable nuts. I guarantee that you will need to destructively remove one or more of the old SBLs. The CTR sway bar links are available on PartsGeek.com

CTR also sells on Amazon, sold and shipped directly from CTR

Yeah I hate those stupid hex keys in the middle that always strip off

It would be less from Rockauto (even with shipping), especially if you apply a 5% discount code.

View attachment 291739


I'd seriously consider the HL Mando strut assemblies for ~$344 if you don't plan to keep the CR-V more than another 5-6 years. Mando is OEM for Hyundai/KIA, which have no systemic issues with suspension ills.

View attachment 291741

+1

I would also give Mando a chance, if you don't want to spend the money on KYB.

The biggest issues on quick struts are often the strut mounts, and I might actually trust Mando's mounts over Monroe, for example. The Mando mounts should be at least as good as KYB.

 

[wlk]

So during the latest oil change on my wife's 2013 CR-V I noticed the drivers side front strut was leaking oil. No big deal as the car has a bit over 200K on the original struts.

I am going to swap them very soon, but wanted to see if there are are any brands that I should lean toward.

I fully acknowledge that OEM from Honda is the absolute best route, but I dont care to put that sort of money into a car that is 12 years old and only sees light use these days. Any suggestions are welcome thanks.

I went with Napa Proformer brand for my Element, lifetime warranty and rode nice.

 

[Nukeman7]

I went with Napa Proformer brand for my Element, lifetime warranty and rode nice.

They are allegedly rebranded MONROE struts according to this earlier BITOG thread.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

13' CRV AWD / Front struts / Auto Shack Quick Struts / came with new sway bar links . So far: 5yrs / 51,000 miles. No problems. No stance problem , no ride problem, not leaking, strut bearings are fine. I think they may be Canadian, so Trump tariff's may have jacked up the price a bit.... Not sure. Got em from E-Bay. Dirt cheap. Daily driver. Not a single complaint. They use to be garbage in the early days. Have gotten 20X better since then. Used in the salt belt, and still no problems

 

[Dborch41]

Just out of curiosity I thought I'd check on what new strut assemblies would cost for my 2014 Nissan Frontier. The cheapest at under $40 was a "FAMOUS BRAND", which with a little research can uncover a helluva deal. Using the part number and bit of the Google I discovered it was a Carquest Premium strut that Advance Auto sells at almost $150 each.

I'm aware those are likely rebranded generic "overseas" parts, but we sure love their oil filters!

 

[D60]

Interference nuts even on new sway bar links are so dumb. I defeat them with a tap and use a drop of thread lock.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Auto Shack not available anylonger. They got Tariffed. Detroit Axle still available. Had no problem with them either on my other 2 cars, also daily drivers. See previous post. You said this Honda barely sees light of day now. Why spend a ton a money on it ???

 

[wlk]

Just out of curiosity I thought I'd check on what new strut assemblies would cost for my 2014 Nissan Frontier. The cheapest at under $40 was a "FAMOUS BRAND", which with a little research can uncover a helluva deal. Using the part number and bit of the Google I discovered it was a Carquest Premium strut that Advance Auto sells at almost $150 each.

I'm aware those are likely rebranded generic "overseas" parts, but we sure love their oil filters! View attachment 291835

View attachment 291836

Yep, last 4 times I got Famous Brands, they all were Carquest Premium parts. Just got plug wires and oil level sensor this week and both Carquest Premium. Can't beat the deals on them sometimes