Ive got a 2004 Ford Expedition that clunks over bumps really bad. They have been diagnosed to be the front strut mounts. Should i have someone replace the strut mounts or should I get KYB Quick struts and replace them myself? I dont feel comfortable using spring tools
It's to you. It is doable if you're good with your hands and you take your time to do it carefully. If you're clumsy , ham-handed and have no mechanical experience, let a professional do it. Maybe not the best first-time DIY job.
I replace all 4 struts on my 08 Highlander myself, got the alignment close enough and brought it for an alignment. Highlander procedure will obviously be different, but still doable. Nothing wrong with the KYB quick struts. High quality and Scotty uses them a lot. Video to see to procedure. I like their videos for how to do something but rarely ever buy anything from them anymore since I found RockAuto 🙂 /p>
Go for it!
Quick struts are usually of much lower quality - KYB included - than if you source individual components and assemble them yourself, … so there is that. And so, I would go for individual components and an assembly. That way, you have an opportunity to reuse some parts - like springs, or upgrade them - like top bearings.
Anyway, … good quality spring compressors are relatively cheap, … and generally quite safe. When I do the struts, I take an extra care, I bind the compressor few times over from side-to-side once installed with a 1/2 inch dia. strong, strong quality nylon rope. If for some un-dogly reason the compressor slips as it’s being tighten, it will be in a very slow motion, all contained. Utmost safety first, … always!
F.S.
