Wife's CR-V needs struts.

[crashz]

I was in a similar boat a few years ago with my CRV. I went with KYB quick struts in the front and El Cheapo in the back. Replaced all bushings in the front, rear wheel bearing, and the ball joints/tie rod ends in the "while I'm in here" mood.
This led to my terrible Moog experience.

The KYBs were built well, but were stiff! Same with the cheap rears. In fact the ride height changed because they wouldn't compress as much. Loaded up, it handled well.

I don't think the KYBs are a bad choice, but be aware of the quick strut ride.

 

[D60]

I was in a similar boat a few years ago with my CRV. I went with KYB quick struts in the front and El Cheapo in the back. Replaced all bushings in the front, rear wheel bearing, and the ball joints/tie rod ends in the "while I'm in here" mood.
This led to my terrible Moog experience.

The KYBs were built well, but were stiff! Same with the cheap rears. In fact the ride height changed because they wouldn't compress as much. Loaded up, it handled well.

I don't think the KYBs are a bad choice, but be aware of the quick strut ride.

Yeah this is why I avoid quick struts unless it seems the existing springs are tired/sagging. Always afraid I'm gonna return a vehicle with a mild lift

That said, some manufacturers (like Moog) will warn you it may sit higher at first but assure you it will settle. AFAIC, maybe -- maybe not.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Mando's are Hyundai's and Kia's OEM brand. They're decent. But for a 13' CRV, that is barely driven anymore, why spend the $$$$$$.... Unless you have money to burn, get em. I would just get some " El Cheapo's " Quik Struts, that come with sway bar links as a freebie, and chuck those in. Quik Struts are sooooooo easy to install. The hardest part is catching a strut bearing nut, while you're holding up the stupid thing, ( as you're back is screaming) You don't even need to get a wheel alignment after installation. Oh, the other hardest part is the old swaybar link. Don't bother with the allen key. Get the " blue wrench" , vice grips, impact gun ....If that fails, and it has on me already, the sawzall. Don't be stupid like me and nick up the swaybar by accident .........GO EL CHEAPO !!!!! YAY

 

[troymcclure]

This is what they say on their website. I'm not sure whether it's a feature or a bug:

HL Mando are a good manufacturer but given how low they price their quick struts, I’m skeptical of how good they must be. They may be capable of making great struts but their quick struts are obviously built to a price point.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

HUH ??? Built to a price point ??? What's that's supposed to mean ? Either you build them good or decent. Period. Personally, I don't put much faith in them anyway. I mean, they are OEM Hyundai and Kia. Not the best cars made in the world. I'm sure you'd get 5yrs/ 50k out of them, depending on road conditions. I would not use them as replacements if I planned on keeping a car longer. Honda is no better. Had a 13' Pilot. Bought it new. RR shock leaking like somebody shot it with a 38 pistol. 1k only. Front strut bearings died at 80K. So much for OEM. Ridiculous.

 

[nthach]

@D60 - You mentioned the Mando brand. They are relatively low-priced on RockAuto, but never heard of them before. Are they more known as a manufacturer of OEM shocks and struts?

Mando is a long time OEM to the Koreans. They started out making alternators/starters for Hyundai under Mitsubishi Electric license. They now supply brakes for GM. Visteon’s former climate control division was bought out by Mando and called Hanon Climate - Ford, HyunKia, GM Korea and Tesla use them as OE.

You might have seen Kefico under the hood of a Hyundai or Kia. They too were bootstrapped by Mitsubishi. Now a part of the Hyundai chaebol besides Hyundai Wia/Mobis and the other companies in that universe.