PIU struts/shocks

[jrgoffin]

Couldn’t care less, but it’s a bummer that shipping hurts. My post showing the screen shots was for the benefit of anyone thinking the prices had actually gone up on those items, which they haven’t. If others need them and aren’t in a hurry, the “normal” costs are still reasonable.

 

[Polo08816]

Installed the front PIU struts (LB5Z-18124-H PIU front right, LB5Z-18124-R PIU front left, $220 shipped from Levittown Ford) today. My Steeda springs definitely settled a little because I didn't need to use a spring compressor--just put a little force down on the strut mount and was able to thread on the top nut. I did reuse all other parts which seemed in good condition. Install took about an hour and a half. As with the shocks, the PIU struts were definitely much harder to compress than the old, likely worn, ST struts. The ride with both PIU struts and shocks installed is super nice. Very responsive and solid feeling. Car feels more stable but there is definitely more road feel so maybe not a good choice if you want more comfort. The trade off is worth it to me. Would definitely recommend if you need new struts and shocks, especially if lowered. I

Old ST struts:
View attachment 17431 View attachment 17432

PIU struts
View attachment 17429 View attachment 17430
View attachment 18326 View attachment 18327

What size tires/wheels do you have?

I'm curious if someone ran a 20" wheel/tire or a 18" wheel/tire wouldn't feel as much harshness with the PIU as they would with either 21" or 22" wheels.

 

[Cdubya]

What size tires/wheels do you have?

I'm curious if someone ran a 20" wheel/tire or a 18" wheel/tire wouldn't feel as much harshness with the PIU as they would with either 21" or 22" wheels.

I have the stock 21" rims. I will say after a 1000 mile break-in, they no longer are harsh except on choppy roads. I still feel road feel is enhanced. Car is definitely more stable, especially at speed.

 

[Cdubya]

Update: after 18k miles and about 10 months, the ride with the PIU shocks/struts is definitely not as firm as it was. I had both rear shocks out and noticed oil "sweat" around the top 2" of the shocks. Testing compression and rebound by hand, it is clearly much softer than when they were new. They are not blown but the oil around the tops on both sides makes me wonder if they are defective. Seems pretty common on Ford rear shocks for our vehicle. I reached out to the Ford online dealer who responded that some sweat may be normal. I had already cleaned them up without taking pics so will do so in about a month. Motorcraft parts have a 2 year warranty. Bottom line: disappointed!

 

[Polo08816]

Update: after 18k miles and about 10 months, the ride with the PIU shocks/struts is definitely not as firm as it was. I had both rear shocks out and noticed oil "sweat" around the top 2" of the shocks. Testing compression and rebound by hand, it is clearly much softer than when they were new. They are not blown but the oil around the tops on both sides makes me wonder if they are defective. Seems pretty common on Ford rear shocks for our vehicle. I reached out to the Ford online dealer who responded that some sweat may be normal. I had already cleaned them up without taking pics so will do so in about a month. Motorcraft parts have a 2 year warranty. Bottom line: disappointed!

I don't understand why Bilstein doesn't make a B6/B8 strut/shock for the Explorer. It's one of the most popular vehicles in its segment.

 

[EDWYER]

Motorcraft parts have a 2 year warranty. Bottom line: disappointed!

For the cost, I still may get them.

 

[Ntrain2k]

I saw mention earlier that this was the same shock Steeds sells. Any solid conformation on this?

 

[UNBROKEN]

I saw mention earlier that this was the same shock Steeds sells. Any solid conformation on this?

Steeds sells oem ST shocks as an upgrade for lower models, the PIU parts aren’t the same PN’s

 

[Ntrain2k]

Steeds sells oem ST shocks as an upgrade for lower models, the PIU parts aren’t the same PN’s

Thanks.

 

[Dark Knight]

Got my PIU rear bar and shocks installed today. I’d say it’s every bit as planted as it was with the Steeda rear bar (mine was completely rusted, so it had to go). My shocks only have 35,000 miles and one was starting to leak, but the PIU versions still feel slightly stiffer which is perfect. It’s a great bang-for-the-buck, and even better - the e-coating on OEM bars isn’t going to rot away.

Not intending to bash Steeda, but this is my bar after two years in OH & MI. I have no desire fussing with getting it powder coated again, so was happy to just add the PIU gear instead.


View attachment 18323

can you clarify, the PIU bar is thicker than the stock ST, how it compare to the Steeda> sorry if I already asked you, before

 

[UNBROKEN]

can you clarify, the PIU bar is thicker than the stock ST, how it compare to the Steeda> sorry if I already asked you, before

It measures in between the 2.

 

[Funnbobby]

Hi there,


Can someone definitely confirm which is the correct part number for the PIU rear shocks for the 4WD explorer ST?

Is it #1 or #2?

1. LB5Z-18125-J

2. LB5Z-18125-V

What’s the difference between the two of them?

 

[Cdubya]

Hi there,


Can someone definitely confirm which is the correct part number for the PIU rear shocks for the 4WD explorer ST?

Is it #1 or #2?

1. LB5Z-18125-J

2. LB5Z-18125-V

What’s the difference between the two of them?[/QUOTE

J is fully assembled including top mount, dust shield, etc. V is just the bare shock--you wouldneed to break down the rear shock assembly and reuse the stock parts. To me, the price difference is negligible... get the J

 

[Funnbobby]

Much appreciated for the clarification on the Type J vs Type V - fully assembled is definitely the way to go!! Thanks to the both of you!

 

[Funnbobby]

Anyone have confirmed part # for front and rear PIU springs for the 4WD ST models? I read through the whole thread but am still scratching my head

 

[Cdubya]

Has someone said PIU springs are any different from ST?

 

[Polo08816]

Anyone have confirmed part # for front and rear PIU springs for the 4WD ST models? I read through the whole thread but am still scratching my head

I asked earlier in the thread because I was curious as well.

 

[Polo08816]

Has someone said PIU springs are any different from ST?

I think they are different. The ride heights between an ST and PIU are very different.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I think they are different. The ride heights between an ST and PIU are very different.

A great deal of that is weight related. Someone a while back measured two new cars and it was basically the same from the axle center fender.

 

[Polo08816]

A great deal of that is weight related. Someone a while back measured two new cars and it was basically the same from the axle center fender.

Do you have a link to the post where someone measured a brand new PIU with no accessories installed versus a ST?

I'm not convinced it's weight related.

But before we start, let's agree on some assumptions. Because the PIU shocks are more dampened, we can assume that the PIU springs have either the same or higher spring rate compared to the ST springs. If the spring rate is higher, than the ride height should be less affected by weight than the ST.

Now that we have that out of the way, let's take a look at some factory specs:

https://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/models/explorer-st/
Ford specifies the "minimum" ground clearance of the ST model to be 8.3".
They don't provide any other curb weight other than 4,345lbs for a 2.3L (2WD) model. Obviously a 3.0L (4WD) model will weigh more.


Now let's take a look at the specs for a PIU:
https://www.ford.com/police-vehicles/hybrid-utility/
Ford specifies the ground clearance of the 3.0L EB model to be 7.2" which is almost 1.1" lower than the 2024 ST.

I will say that 0.5" of that is probably due to the tires because the stock sizing on a 2024 ST has a 30.7" to 31" diameter. The stock size on a PIU results in a 30" tire so the ST will sit anywhere from 0.3" to 0.5" higher due to a larger tire. It still doesn't account for the PIU being a full 1.1" lower.

https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2024-Ford-Explorer-ST__4dr_4x4/specs/
I wasn't able to quickly find the curb weight for the 2024 ST on the Ford site so I'm using numbers here.
Curb weight: 4,701lbs
GVWR: 6,160lbs

https://www.ford.com/police-vehicles/hybrid-utility/
PIU 3.0 EB GVWR: 6,500lbs. *This is significant because it indicates a higher spring rate than the ST models. This reinforces the assumption that the PIUs feature a higher spring rate than the ST models.
PIU 3.0L EB curb weight estimate = GVWR - payload capacity = 6,500lbs - 1,670 = ~4,830lbs *This number can be a bit fuzzy because it's not clear whether the payload capacity accounts for the constants such as the weight of a driver + fuel. Either way, 4,830lbs is not all that different from 4,701.

We have received a few brand new 2024 3.0L EB PIUs with no accessories installed so it's basically a bare bones interior. They still appear to sit distinctly lower than an ST with all its creature comforts, etc.

I think there's convincing evidence that the ground clearance of the PIU is not due to weight, but rather due to different (shorter but higher spring rate) coils.