Front Strut Failure at 16k miles?

[Dean]

Just took my 2019 Ranger in for PA state inspection. Mechanic called and said the front struts were shot. Anyone else run into early strut failure? My mileage is low due to Covid and I have an alternate vehicle. It's a 2019 so age is probably a contributing factor. Still seems early.

Would not be my first experience with Fords OEM early shock failure.

Also, How come KYB does not make replacement shocks/struts for the Ranger?

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[got3fords]

Just took my 2019 Ranger in for PA state inspection. Mechanic called and said the front struts were shot. Anyone else run into early strut failure? My mileage is low due to Covid and I have an alternate vehicle. It's a 2019 so age is probably a contributing factor. Still seems early.

Would not be my first experience with Fords OEM early shock failure.

Also, How come KYB does not make replacement shocks/struts for the Ranger?

Sounds early to me, but as crappy as they feel, it doesn't surprise me. Put a quality aftermarket part on. Don't go back to OEM. BTW, technically they are not struts but coil over shocks.

 

[dapakattack]

Dean,

While changing the fronts over to Eibachs found that the passenger shock was leaking at 5k.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the confirmations. Mechanic seemed honest, but it was all a bit pricey.

I will probably install the Bilstein 5100 monotubes in the rear myself in short order.

One other thing - The front sway bar links on the Rangers are also sub-par. He replaced those as well. Plastic ball joints on the links? Are you kidding me? Mechanic installed new links that are all metal.

It is not the first time I have experienced poor OEM shocks and sway bar links from Ford.
My 2003 Sport Trac offered up the same fair. Solution KYB's and Moog "problem solver" sway bar link kit.

Going back much earlier (circa 1993) Early failure of the Merkur Scorpio rear shocks. The up side was dealers blowing out OEM spare shock inventory at pennies on the dollar.
However today my Scorpio rides on KYBs all around.

How come KYB has missed the Ranger market? Are they out of thier minds? I love KYB.

Despite all this I still miss my Sport Trac and I still adore my Scorpio and Ranger.

But Ford does need to step it up on the suspension dept.

 

[diesel924]

I'd love to know how he determined the struts were bad. I'd bet they were not.

 

[FrostedTurkey]

Yeah the fronts are coil overs and unless they are leaking or obviously damaged, removing the spring would be the only way to check the actual strut rebound and compression. I doubt he did that on both as it would be full disassembly and alignment afterwards.

Correct- KYB doesn't make any for our trucks. I would recommend Bilstein 6112 on front and 5160 on the rear. Going on 13k hard miles since putting them in Feb 2023 and no issues. Mix of lots of highway, towing-2K-6K loads, dirt roads, offroad, mud/water ~10inches deep.

 

[Rp930]

I would like to see pictures of that diagnosis.

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