KL Cherokee new shock absorbers

[OPM]

Does anyone have any experience with replacing the shock absorbers on a KL Cherokee on a like-for-like basis?

My mechanic reckons the shocks on my 2015 Diesel KL are not faring too well and should be replaced. He can't find anything aftermarket through his suppliers and has quoted $1850 (plus install) for original parts through a Jeep supplier.

I know there are options that result in a lift - e.g. Dobinsons (and I've emailed them to ask for advice) - but I'm more interested in just a straight replacement. I'm fine with original parts sourced through the mechanic if that's just going to be the easiest option, but I'd be willing to spend more and/or source parts myself if there's something aftermarket that would be a substantial improvement.

I'm a bit out of my depth when it comes to the finer details of suspension components, and there are clearly plenty of folk on here who are far more knowledgeable than me!

Cheers.

[TR Laredo]

Check these guys for prices/freight etc
https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/jeep,2015,cherokee

Then get your mechanic to fit


Cheers

[Trailfirst]

Yep - getting what you need form the US is best option - will be cheaper than OEM local supply for sure - and quicker!!.

I dont think there's any physical reason why Dobinsons shocks shouldn't fit and work fine with the std factory springs - call and ask them!

Pretty sure Dobinsons also would be cheaper than factory local supply.

At places like Rock Auto and also Summit Racing, you might be able to get cheap OEM shocks - definitely Bilsteins and you may even get Dobinsons cheaper than here believe it or not.

In the Bilstein range there are B6 which are upgraded HD type affair - or B4 which are cheaper and match original factory specs but will be much better quality.

I bought a full set of B6 Bilsteins + spring seats + LH and RH front upper strut bearings and the plastic clips for $1292 including freight and my order was delivered to my door FOUR DAYS after I placed it.

The plastic irrigation clip looking things for the tops of the front strut bearings (in engine bay) were quoted to me by our local Jeep dealer at $45 EACH. From Summit Racing they were about AUD$3.30 each...

[Trailfirst]

Read that again: my order was delivered to my door from the USA FOUR DAYS after I placed the order.

[OPM]

Thanks TR Laredo and Trailfirst. A few pointers from you in the right direction plus a bit more trawling the interwebs and now I'm feeling somewhat qualified.

Dobinsons quoted me around $760 for the 2 front struts and 2 rear shocks. The B6 Bilsteins from RockAuto would be around $800 delivered. Very comparable! Decisions, decisions... although either is much nicer than the $1850 quote for OE!

Trailfirst, four days delivery from the US is definitely amazing. Out of interest, is there any particular reason why you also replaced the upper strut bearings on your vehicle?

[Trailfirst]

Originally Posted by OPM

Thanks TR Laredo and Trailfirst. A few pointers from you in the right direction plus a bit more trawling the interwebs and now I'm feeling somewhat qualified.

Dobinsons quoted me around $760 for the 2 front struts and 2 rear shocks. The B6 Bilsteins from RockAuto would be around $800 delivered. Very comparable! Decisions, decisions... although either is much nicer than the $1850 quote for OE!

Trailfirst, four days delivery from the US is definitely amazing. Out of interest, is there any particular reason why you also replaced the upper strut bearings on your vehicle?

Hi OPM - I decided to grab replacement top strut mounts/bearings based on reports from USA owners about the factory ones coming apart when they were replacing shocks.

In fact both of my original ones did also fall apart - tho I think they might have pushed back together and been able to be reassembled.

The new ones were solid and held together against quite a bit of effort to separate them. I do think the two sections can be separated if you used enough force tho.

I ordered Mopar (oem) replacement ones rather than the aftermarket option (ARB I think?) - because of reports the conical upper part of the ARB ones is too small to snug properly in the tower. In the best of all worlds I normally would go for good brand aftermarket ones.

I'd suggest that's also something to speak to Dobinsons about - ie. do they supply top strut mounts/bearings (maybe the ARB ones?).

That delivery time is probably fairly normal - what's crap is shipping times domestically here in Australia! I ordered rear springs from Dobinsons in Brisbane which took 10 days to get to me... AND per kg shipping cost was more than if I had been able to include them in my other order from Summit (there was no stock of those springs at the time). In the past I've gotten model aeroplane stuff from the Czech Republic in my mailbox in 10 days where stuff from major hobby suppliers in Sydney would take 15 days... I'm in the Aviation Industry - so am also used to having stuff from USA and EU delivered in much less time than from two states away here at home (sadface).

[OPM]

Thanks Trailfirst. Yup, reading a bit more about the top strut mounts and there are some suggestions it's actually a single-use item, even though Jeep doesn't officially specify it as such. Adds a bit more to the overall $$$, but may be worth doing given I'm almost up to 100,000km and planning to run the car for 100,000 more! I also don't want the strut mount to fail during install and then have the car stranded with the mechanic while I order the part and wait for it to arrive.

Actually, just checked the Dobinsons website and it states "Note: Replacement one-time use OEM parts will be required from the dealer for correct installation as well as specialized tools. Consult a professional first." A potential trap for young players if you're not reading the fine print!

Anyhoo, essentially this will be a 'mid-life refresh' for my KL. New shocks, new tyres also required soon (currently Yokohama A/T, but the mechanic reckons I go Kumho for the next set), and then my next service is the 100k which is a biggie on the diesel. But the car gives me so much enjoyment, I'm happy to spend the money to keep her running in good form.