FRONT SHOCK ABSORBER (1) for 2008 Acura MDX 5-DOOR

Planning on replacing front struts. There is a lot of bumping & clunking noises going on. I am planning on replacing the 2 struts; the 2 strut mounts & bearings(#13 & #14); the bellows & bump stops(#2 & #12); and the upper & lower spring rubber seats(#11 & #3 & #4).
What exactly does part # 10 do & is it likely to be reusable or should I get 2 of them also?

 

Just buy the whole unit (Parts number 6/7) and save yourself a LOT of headache and ease in installation/assembly as well! They come pre-assembled with the springs and top hats installed.

#10 is a bump stop and does as it's name suggests, stops the shock absorber from bumping up when it 'bottoms out'.

 

I was going to get KYB struts & either Moog or KYB mounts & bump stops & bellows. The Acura site is the only place I could find the rubber spring seats, so that is all I was going to get from Acura. Disassembling & reassembling the struts is not a problem for me.
Part # 12 is the bump stop, it says Part # 10 is a bump stop sleeve...this is what is confusing me

 

#10 is a little dust cap.

 

Yep #10 goes above the strut bolt on the chassis side.. It just cover for dirt into the top hat.
And I agree with Thoiboi.. Just get #6 and 7 and save yourself from a lot of headaches.

 

Because there is about $200+ difference and I've done many McPherson struts, it is no big deal to me compared to saving over $200

 

I guess the difference is because you are going for KYB Struts instead of OEM? Just remember that KYB Shocks DO NOT LAST as long as OEM.
So your perceived Savings today might haunt you in the future.. OEM Last almost a decade depending on your roads, My OEM shocks started to give problems 9 years later and the price difference between KYB and OEM shocks is not that far... IIRC KYB for the MDX are around 110-120 bucks while OEM is around 120-130 a piece so they are indeed more expensive but you get the piece of mind of knowing all of those parts will last a ridiculous amount of time that will offset the price difference in a few years.

 

The price difference is like $60 a side on just the shocks. I've had good luck with KYB replacements on 4 different vehicles." Acura" does not make shocks/struts. I believe KYB is or at one time was the OEM supplier for Acura. And, with no more mileage than we will be putting on this vehicle,, if the KYBs only last like 6 or 7 years as opposed to 8 or 9 years, I'm OK with that.

On the sway bar end links...Moog or OEM ? I've gone with Moog on both TLs, but OEM close to same price on MDX links.

 

moog or oem doesnt make a lick of difference on endlinks.
one is easier to take off than the other. you choose.

 

KYB does make OEM Struts but at HONDA and ACURA specifications which are way tighter spec´d than KYB own Aftermarket Options.
6 or 7 years out of a KYB shock? the best I could get is 3 years on my TL while the OEM lasted 8 years.

I would go with MOOG end links just because they are easier to remove, If you are not planning on greasing them every now and then then the grease able feature is just useless.

 

The OEM lasted 8 years and then you lowered the car & replaced shocks with KYB and they only lasted 3 years??
Just kiddin, but the KYBs definitely won't last long on a lowered setup.

 

Nah, I lowered the car many years after that.. I was riding all 4x4s RUBICON STYLE for more than a decade.. I did the entire suspension 5-4 years ago when I moved into a more decent Neighborhood with well maintained roads, THEN because of the lowering and the rough ride I decided to just go for the MDX since their Shocks are beefier to handle road imperfections easily.. Now it has become my daily driver and the TL is the weekend car.

I always used KYB for everything but the MDX will only use OEM since I loved the ride, Is just Right... KYB always tend to be firmer than OEM and I don't want that for the X.

 

That's a good thought on the firmness issue. The wife mainly drives the X and her back is bad screwed up. The nice ride was one of the big pluses for getting the MDX instead of a RDX or an Edge.

On the vehicles I used the KYBs on, I couldn't tell if the KYBs were firmer than the OEM or just firmer because they were new vs old.

 

If you want plusher ride get the Monroe OE Spectrum.. They are always softer than OEM.