AWD Suspension Kit for 2013-2019 Ford Explorer 3.5L

I agonized about whether to buy these or spend a LOT more on other options. I'm so happy I trusted the reviews and went with Detroit Axle. This is a 6-month review. The old strut mounts were rattling over bumps and the car sat really low. Puddles would make the belt slip and squeak. It still felt smooth and nice but cornering wasn't very fun (body roll). These struts made it all better and I have no complaints about the ride height or fitment. Installation was no problem except one of the ABS wire mounts was finicky. Initially, the ride height was a little higher than I thought it should be but as you can see in the picture, the springs have settled to an even and appropriate stance. The ride was slightly bouncy (but still smooth) at first but a few hundred miles later the car feels smooth as silk and cornering is much better than before. Feels like a Lexus! Even if these only last 2 years, at the price, so worth it to make an old car feel new.

Extremely smooth ride after installation; a complete contrast from the OE Struts that had finally worn out on my Mazda5. Perfect fit and no issues reconnecting the ABS line and the brake line. I also replaced the stabilizer bar links since it was the perfect time to also do that. Also the top of these Detroit Axle Struts can be manually repositioned (rotated slightly by hand) to align with the upper "Strut Tower" (3-hole pattern) bolt locations. Every detail...every design feature is built-in to these aftermarket Struts to identically match the OE Struts. Only time will tell how durable these Detroit Axle aftermarket Struts are. I've used these on other older vehicles and these have worked extremely well. When it comes to installation, I don't know that there are ANY "easy" Struts to install. The beauty of this product is they come Factory pre-assembled with brand new Springs, which is an immediate time saver as well as a safer car maintenance task for the DIY'er, like myself. While that costs more, I myself don't mind paying a little extra for the factory pre-assembled (entire) Strut assembly. I have never had a problem with Detroit Axle Struts. I like the paint quality and the finished look. The only drawback with replacing Struts is getting them perfectly realigned back into the main front (Cast) wheel bearing Housing. I'm talking about a very near "line to line" shaft fit back into the factory machined cast collar. It takes patience, a coating of motor oil on the Strut bottom (about 2") and careful but deliberate use of a smaller (3-lb) sledge hammer. I well imagine that all vehicle makes and models are going to be different for ease of replacement Strut installation. Mazdas are a challenge for absolutely sure, however the immediate difference in ride quality is WELL worth the effort. I've done over a dozen or so of these aftermarket Struts now. I'm still an amateur but I always, always appreciate the immediate difference in ride quality. Makes your older vehicles feel and drive young again. And if you can afford it (and the need is there), replacing the front tires (with a front end alignment!) will transform your vehicle to an even greater, smoother ride. The value is in driving your older vehicle longer before having to finally replace it.

Although the issue wasn't Detroit Axle's fault, one of the sway bar linkage rods was missing from my order. I purchased the kit through Amazon and called the company directly to explain the situation. I requested that I not have to return the entire kit just for the missing part, nor did I want to deal with filing a FedEx claim. To my relief, they were extremely accommodating. They promptly sent out the missing part, which arrived just two days later. Speaking with their customer service team over the phone was a refreshing experience — they were professional from the moment they answered to the moment they hung up. Considering the strut kit weighs over 100 pounds and came in two large boxes, returning the entire order would’ve been a huge inconvenience. Their willingness to work with me saved a lot of hassle. As for the product quality, the struts are indistinguishable from the original OEM parts. The design and build are identical, and I especially appreciated the upgraded sway bar linkage rod. It not only includes a grease fitting, but they also added a bolt head on the back side, allowing for easy installation without needing an Allen key to hold it in place — a smart improvement that Toyota themselves should consider for future models. I wouldn’t hesitate to order from Detroit Axle again. In fact, I have another vehicle that will soon be needing a similar set, and I fully intend to go with them again. Highly recommend!

Struts and shocks fit as described. For the price for this set was a no brainer. They mounted perfectly and improved ride and handling.

All i have done is put parts on one side as rain storms hit before i could finish. Everything fit as it is suppose to. Rear shocks do not come with new mounts. If old mounts are bad you will need new ones. Rear links are a pain to swap out and im still weighing pros and cons as old ones still seem in great condition. Front strut assembly was pretty easy to swap and links fit great. Have to raise the strut up to fit the links though. I will update after i finish and get a chance to drive around a bit. Did test after I installed rear shocks since my rear shock was blown out and it felt amazing so i assume will be great once im done.