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.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

OMG !!!! We really have no idea what in the world we are buying anymore.

 

[JHZR2]

Rock Auto has Bilstein B4 struts for $84. If you want the best, go get it.
They don't carry rear shocks, but I have checked, and Bisltein makes them and Tire Rack carries them for $79 a piece.

I was going to say… what’s the price delta between OEM, Bilstein, and some of the better models of standard brands like Monroe or Gabriel?

 

[edyvw]

I was going to say… what’s the price delta between OEM, Bilstein, and some of the better models of standard brands like Monroe or Gabriel?

Not much. Can’t remember when I checked for his CR-V, but $20 maybe Bilstein more expensive than Gabriel or Monroe.
That is B4.
B6 is not available for CR-V. IMO, if keeping vehicle, and like bit stiffer (not stiff) handling, B6 is worth every penny.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

We still playin strut merry-go-round with this CRV ???? The CRV sees light use. Has over 200k on it. That means to me it's almost out to pasture. Is the owner going to install ????? If so, go " EL CHEAPO". If the owner is going to take it to a shop and get smashed over the head in labor costs, Go with the best his wallet will allow, this way he doesn't lose the labor costs in case the " EL CHEAPOS" crap out on him. Can't make it much more simpler than that. In that case, I would go with the KYB Quik Strut.