ARC Rear shocks, questions

[anryu451]

So, I have the common worn out shock bushings issue. Is it true the rear seat HAS to come out for replacement?

Car has 110,000 miles, go ahead and replace the shocks at the same time? (probably still OE), if so, is the Motorcraft AS497G the only proper option? It looks like just a regular shock, how does the ARC control a gas shock? Do any other shocks work? Will they throw trouble codes?

Any way to make the ARC work with a normal shock?

I've done searching on those forum, but couldn't really find the answers I was looking for, so I figured I'd throw this out there.

 

[93mkviii]

You can either remove the rear seat or you can just get access from the trunk by taking out the liner. However you will have to be able to crawl all the way into the trunk and remove 3 bolts each side to remove the shock and mount. I have the same issue and i'm thinking about just buying the metal shock mounts. Also putting in a normal Monroe shock will not throw any codes and it will drive find. you just will not use the filler(i don't know what it's called but I also have those and it works just fine).

 

[thaywood]

So, I have the common worn out shock bushings issue. Is it true the rear seat HAS to come out for replacement?

Not necessarily. I have read on this site that you can take a torch and burn out the old rubber from the OEM seat and use the bushings from whatever new shock you install. When I replaced my rear shocks on the old '96 many years ago, I used '93 T-Bird rear shocks and just used the rubber bushings that came with the shocks since the originals were deteriorated beyond usefulness. It worked fine for me.

Car has 110,000 miles, go ahead and replace the shocks at the same time? (probably still OE), if so, is the Motorcraft AS497G the only proper option?

Nah. You can use any kind of shock that will fit an MN12 T-Bird or Cougar. Preferably for a '96 or '97 T-Bird or Cougar V-8. They work fine.

It looks like just a regular shock, how does the ARC control a gas shock?

The shock is adjustable. The electronic solenoid sitting on top of the shock controls the valving of the shock to automatically firm or soften the shock depending on driving conditions. It's basically the same system the old '87-'88 T-Bird Turbo Coupe and '89-'95 Super Coupe (and '89-'91 Cougar XR-7) had. There's just no switch on the dash to manually set it to "firm".

Do any other shocks work? Will they throw trouble codes?

As far as I know, all you have to do is disconnect the solenoid from the shock, lay it aside or remove it altogether, and install a new shock of your choice. Removing the solenoid should not throw any codes.

Any way to make the ARC work with a normal shock?

No.

I've done searching on those forum, but couldn't really find the answers I was looking for, so I figured I'd throw this out there.

Hope this has helped you.