KYB 349168 Shock Absorber - Rear

KYB Excel-G Rear Shock Absorber for Ford Flex and Taurus

KYB Excel-G shock absorber 349168 is a rear suspension replacement built to restore original ride control, stability, braking response, and handling balance. It is an OE-style choice for Ford Flex and Ford Taurus applications where consistent damping and predictable body control matter.

The Excel-G line is KYB’s OEA replacement series, built on the same OE assembly lines and calibrated to return the vehicle to its designed performance. For rear suspension service on a Ford Flex or Ford Taurus, part number 349168 follows the original equipment approach rather than changing ride character.

Key Features

• KYB recommended OEM replacement shock for domestic vehicles
• Restores designed control and handling for Ford Flex and Ford Taurus rear suspension
• Nitrogen gas-charged, twin-tube design for consistent damping response
• Triple-lip fluid seal helps reduce oil and gas leakage
• Vehicle-specific, hand-assembled damping valves manage tire contact, steering response, and body movement
• Strong strut body and bracket construction helps minimize flex and maintain alignment
• R-stop feature included

Detailed Description

KYB Excel-G 349168 is engineered for rear suspension service on 2009-2019 Ford Flex and 2010-2019 Ford Taurus, including 2013-2019 Taurus models with the Performance Package. It uses OE-quality components and a twin-tube gas-charged design to restore the vehicle’s original damping characteristics. This part cross-references Monroe Shocks & Struts 5648 for the same application.

Compressed length is 15.49 inches, extended length is 23.09 inches, and stroke length is 7.6 inches. The upper mount type is S1 (12MM) and the lower mount type is SPECIAL. Dust cover, internal rebound spring, and B-stop are not included or not present in the listed configuration.

What This Shock Absorber Helps Address

• Excessive rear bounce after bumps or dips
• Loose or unsettled rear-end handling in Ford Flex and Ford Taurus models
• Reduced braking stability caused by worn rear damping
• Poor lane-change response and body motion control
• Uneven tire contact from weakened suspension damping

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify rear fitment by year, model, and package before ordering. Fits 2009-2019 Ford Flex, rear; fits 2010-2012 Ford Taurus, rear; and fits 2013-2019 Ford Taurus, rear with Performance Package. Additional components, dust cover, or bushings may be required depending on the vehicle’s existing suspension condition and mounting setup.

Inspect related suspension hardware, alignment angles, and tire wear before installation. Because electronic safety systems depend on suspension, brakes, and tires operating as designed, restoring rear damping to OE specification supports proper system performance.

Quality Assurance

KYB manufactures Excel-G on OE assembly lines using OE-quality components and application-specific damping calibration. The design follows original equipment standards for domestic vehicle replacement and is built to restore factory ride control rather than alter it.