• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


Subframe bushing braces and billet vertical links.

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#1
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#1
I’ve played with a lot of parts on my car…very few made an eye opening difference. The rear swaybar is one, drop springs…an intercooler is another one…now these things are out there in the wild and whether you go with FenFab or Steeda doesn’t matter as long as you get a set. The difference is immediate and substantial. This is truly how the car should have felt from the factory. You may not know it but you NEED a subframe bushing brace kit. And while you’re in there Brett has his billet vertical links live on his site now too.
 

Attachments

C

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
#2
Messages
1,628
Reactions
1,185
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#2
Excellent advice. I put the subframe kit on a couple weeks ago and noticed the difference immediately. Have the steeds vertical link reinforcement kit ready to go on when I get back from Florida. Seeing Brett’s links I am kind of sorry I got the steeds kit but we will see how they do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Thread Starter #3
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #3
Cruising68 said:
Excellent advice. I put the subframe kit on a couple weeks ago and noticed the difference immediately. Have the steeds vertical link reinforcement kit ready to go on when I get back from Florida. Seeing Brett’s links I am kind of sorry I got the steeds kit but we will see how they do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I have the Steeda vertical link insert installed as well but I still have Brett’s billet links ordered. I’ll flip the Steeda kit when I swap out the parts.
 

C

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
#4
Messages
1,628
Reactions
1,185
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#4
UNBROKEN said:
I have the Steeda vertical link insert installed as well but I still have Brett’s billet links ordered. I’ll flip the Steeda kit when I swap out the parts.
Click to expand...
They definitely look like a better solution albeit more expensive. Likely a slightly better product given the billet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

C

Cdubya

1000 Post Club
#5
Messages
1,695
Reactions
843
Points
262
Location
NE Ohio
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#5
My order of effectiveness: 1. RSB, 2. Lowering springs, 3. PIU struts/shocks, 4. subframe bushings inserts.
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Thread Starter #6
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #6
Cdubya said:
My order of effectiveness: 1. RSB, 2. Lowering springs, 3. PIU struts/shocks, 4. subframe bushings inserts.
Click to expand...
I don’t disagree but until there’s actual proof the PIU parts are different I think replacing any shocks and struts over 50-60k miles will see a nice improvement….PIU or ST replacements.
 

M

MikeyP

Member
#7
Messages
391
Reactions
360
Points
67
Location
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
#7
Couldn't have said it better Richard. People don't understand how much of a change these subframe bushing inserts make. This is a must do mod. And super easy too.

And I'll have to order up Brett's vertical links as well. I got the Steeda VLI as they were cheap, but also in my head I thought the vertical links were harder to replace than they actually are. Travis' video was awesome.
 

BrooseDaMoose

BrooseDaMoose

Active Member
#8
Messages
958
Reactions
538
Points
132
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#8
I have the Steeda VLI's on my WTB list but those look much nicer. Can you provide a link to them please?
 

ARC

ARC

Member
Law Enforcement
#10
Messages
314
Reactions
102
Points
37
Location
Oak Lawn, IL, USA
Vehicle
2022 ST Black
#10
Could you go into a bit more detail about bushing inserts.
What exactly do you notice about the drive?
I really dont do many launches but wonder how these would affect the ride quality.
I have Steeda springs and rear sway bar, plus the CV fab intercooler and E50 tune.
As always thanks for the insight.
 

BrooseDaMoose

BrooseDaMoose

Active Member
#11
Messages
958
Reactions
538
Points
132
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
#11
I found the most noticeable difference in cornering, especially coming off the highway. It’s hard to describe other than the vehicle feels more planted. I hit the off ramps pretty aggressively and she stays flat and hooked. Same thing when accelerating through the curves of the on ramps. It’s just something you have to feel for yourself. Very easy to install also. Took me less than an hour.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:
S

Stone - ST

New Member
#12
Messages
20
Reactions
16
Points
2
Location
Prospect, KY
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#12
One of my rear shocks is leaking bad with 27K miles. I tried to order the PIU rear shocks from Varsity Ford and they said my VIN was invalid. I ordered:

Part Number Part Name Price Quantity Total
LB5Z-18125-J Shock Absorber Assembly $113.12 2 $226.24

Do I try to find the VIN for an interceptor to give them? Thx
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Thread Starter #13
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #13
Nope…that’s right.
 

Excalibur

Excalibur

Member
U.S. Navy Veteran
#14
Messages
32
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Moncks Corner, SC
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#14
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
 

C

Cruising68

1000 Post Club
#15
Messages
1,628
Reactions
1,185
Points
262
Location
Chicago, IL, USA
#15
Excalibur said:
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
Click to expand...
Subframe kit Improved handling significantly imo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Last edited:
OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Thread Starter #16
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #16
Excalibur said:
So these really just reduce wheel hop? Is that all they do, or are there other improvements to be had also?
Click to expand...
Everything improves…no cons. I’d rate these high in the top 5 most effective mods available for these cars…factor in the low cost…top 2.
 

S

Stone - ST

New Member
#17
Messages
20
Reactions
16
Points
2
Location
Prospect, KY
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#17
UNBROKEN said:
Nope…that’s right.
Click to expand...
I just had to send them a message that I did indeed want the PIU shocks instead of the stock ones. Going to install them tomorrow. It is really squirrely with one shock with little oil.
 

S

ssw

New Member
#18
Messages
15
Reactions
16
Points
2
Location
Jupiter
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
#18
I have the Gearhead tune, CVF Intercooler, front and rear AFE sway bars and I never thought about the subframe kit. Big thanks to UNBROKEN, I would not have done this mod but for your great review/recomendation. Huge improvement in ride, handling and feel, Totally agree with UNBROKEN, definately a top 5 mod. $215 at Steeda and $75 front end alignment, this mod is a no brainer
 

Joeyd1961

Joeyd1961

Member
#19
Messages
54
Reactions
31
Points
17
Location
Pittsburgh Pa
#19
UNBROKEN said:
I’ve played with a lot of parts on my car…very few made an eye opening difference. The rear swaybar is one, drop springs…an intercooler is another one…now these things are out there in the wild and whether you go with FenFab or Steeda doesn’t matter as long as you get a set. The difference is immediate and substantial. This is truly how the car should have felt from the factory. You may not know it but you NEED a subframe bushing brace kit. And while you’re in there Brett has his billet vertical links live on his site now too.
Click to expand...
Do the bushings & the vertical links go hand in hand? Or could I start with what's available (bushings) ? Do I need both?
 

OP
UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
Thread Starter #20
Messages
4,590
Reactions
5,366
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
Thread Starter #20
Bushing braces first. Vertical links after toe links.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top