Best front air struts non rebuild
- Thread starter tolincoln
- Start date
97MarkJA
Dedicated LVC Member
Ford, oem. You can still buy them.
Lownslowlsc
Dedicated LVC Member
Fords the way to go but it'll cost you. Iirc they are 350~ each for the fronts. You could use arnott's for the rear no problem though.
Arnott but they suck. Poor bag longevity and the shock is way too soft. So yes, Ford is the only real way to go unless you know how to cut and weld and are fortunate enough to locate some Koni inserts.
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
my arnott fronts float pretty bad. but they hold air just fine.
and i can't justify oem fronts yet.
and i can't justify oem fronts yet.
davidm
Well-Known LVC Member
Nobody likes Arnott, but my fronts have been working for over 2 years.
Not as good as OEMs, but saved me $360.
Thinking the OEMs have many years sitting on the shelf, could have dry rot issues.
Not as good as OEMs, but saved me $360.
Thinking the OEMs have many years sitting on the shelf, could have dry rot issues.
Last edited:
thaywood
Dedicated LVC Member
The Arnott front air SHOCKS are not bad. They're soft, but so far mine work pretty well. The new design is far better than the old style. They seem to be better made. I would prefer a bit more stiffness, but for the money, they can't be beat.
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Bingo. When I had a Mark, that is what I did. 97/98 are compatible if you have a Gen One, and A LOT cheaper. The $350 quoted is about right. Gen one, if they are even still around, are $600+ each.
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Not really. A lot of OEM parts are made for quite some time. You have to realize that the parts end of being a car maker is quite profitable. Its basically a separate business. Just because a car is no longer made, does not mean the part is not. I just bought an OEM Benz part particular to my 91. It was made in 2004!!
+1
Car manufacturers have to make parts for a car for 10 years after the last one is made. Some are made for longer like Mustang parts. So you could be getting a Mark shock that was made just 3 years ago.
fastmark1993
Dedicated LVC Member
+10000
My car had the whole airride replaced with ford oem 3 weeks before I bought it and the bag lasted 2 years :/
The seller lied.
fastmark1993
Dedicated LVC Member
I dont think a 80 year old lady would lie about that especially when she handed me the work order for it
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Well something is not right. She took you or the dealer too her. I have never heard of an OEM bag failing in just two years. And old people are the most devious I know!
chris2523
93 Mark VIII
Well something is not right. She took you or the dealer too her. I have never heard of an OEM bag failing in just two years. And old people are the most devious I know!
you gotta watch those old people.. devious. lol.
but yeah, either the old lady was just wrong, lying, or misinformed, something wasn't right. or the dealership screwed someone over. not the first time.
fastmark1993
Dedicated LVC Member
I'm ripping it all out anyways I'll be checking >=[
unity
Dedicated LVC Member
Ya, generally the OEM struts last 10 years. That seems to be about when most people need to replace them. Which is why when the system is done right, it lasts a LONG time trouble free. Longer than most will have the car.
dnehthend
Dedicated LVC Member
my stockers lasted 12 years, just replaced them last year with oem ford units, hope to get another 12 out of them
my rears are still original
Icarus
Dedicated LVC Member
I stil lhave the original '94 bags from my car that I thought were bound up, but the brand new Ford ones ride the exact same, and they tested fine off the car. They still hold air etc...
I'd only go Ford for bags for these cars imho...
I'd only go Ford for bags for these cars imho...