Suspension work

CTX-SLPR

CTX-SLPR

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Howdy,

I tried searching these questions but no definative answers.

1. Strut mounts, are they needed when replacing the shocks? From my work on my FWD Buick, I replaced the fronts because they had McPherson bearings in them. Since the LS doesn't have a McPherson front suspension, are new mounts a good idea while I'm in there?

2. What is the difference between the Motorcraft "Service Replacement Kit" shocks and the regular shocks listed by RockAuto?

3. Is there a good definative aftermarket replacement sway bar bushing for the front of the Gen 2's? I don't want to spend the money on a factory piece of metal when the bushings are the only thing a junkyard setup would need.

4. Rear sway bar bushings from Ford only?

(Note: going from a base model suspension to a sports suspension, hense the need for bushings for sway bars)

Thanks,
 
Well the mount question has me perplexed as we don't really have mounts. You have your top hat on the strut that just bolts to the shock tower. If referring to that I would judge based on what it looks like when removed.

For two that I can not tell you. Some one else may be able to though.

Three.. And four. I believe you can use energy suspension for those not 100% sure which part number but if you run your search for energy suspension bushing you should run across several threads about them. May even be in my sticky to save you some time.
 
I am fully aware of the varying different terms used to discribe the shock/struts. I am simply using what RockAuto does to describe the upper mount. This is the piece that the upper isolator rides on and bolts to the body of the car with 4 bolts. Like I said, is it an item worth replacing or should I skip it to save ~$65.

Thanks,
 
CTX-SLPR said:
I am fully aware of the varying different terms used to discribe the shock/struts. I am simply using what RockAuto does to describe the upper mount. This is the piece that the upper isolator rides on and bolts to the body of the car with 4 bolts. Like I said, is it an item worth replacing or should I skip it to save ~$65.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

Mine looked fine when i replaced my front shocks, I wouldn't worry about it as this set up does not put a whole lot of stress on the mount/top hat

Are you also buying springs? If you plan on it in the near future I would say do it not to save on the effort of compressing the springs again.

If I where you I would save the 65 bucks (per corner) and put it towards other repairs that may come up like coils, gaskets, cooling, and things that you know will need replaced.
 
2002_lincolnLS said:
If I where you I would save the 65 bucks (per corner) and put it towards other repairs that may come up like coils, gaskets, cooling, and things that you know will need replaced.
Click to expand...

+1 I replaced my shocks and installed Eibachs a few weeks ago. My front top mounts looked fine, along with the rears. I wish I had purchased new lower plastic insulator as they were molded to the shock and I had to pry them off, cracking them.

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=78149
 
2002_lincolnLS said:
Mine looked fine when i replaced my front shocks, I wouldn't worry about it as this set up does not put a whole lot of stress on the mount/top hat

Are you also buying springs? If you plan on it in the near future I would say do it not to save on the effort of compressing the springs again.

If I where you I would save the 65 bucks (per corner) and put it towards other repairs that may come up like coils, gaskets, cooling, and things that you know will need replaced.
Click to expand...
Not planning on getting springs, I honestly would like to put an inch MORE ground clearance on the car since it drags on speedbumps far more than I'd like. Planning on potentially playing with some of Quik's tricks to changing the spring rate if needed.

I don't think it's $65 a side for the mounts but anything off of the list is a welcome financial easing. I've done the coils and VC gaskets (well have to redo them since I didn't RTV them right the first time). So far no DCCV or cooling system issues, knock on wood!

Any long term comentary on the Energy Suspension swaybar bushings? I thought I'd read that they started to fail even faster than the stockers?

Thanks,
 
Necroposting... but it's my thread.

I've bought the wheels and tires
I've bought the 100K mile engine refresh items
Time to line up the suspension stuff, well at least the shocks

It looks like the price of the rear sport shocks has skyrocketed!!! $199.79 a piece on RockAuto!
I'm sticking with my old springs and based off of this thread (and others) I'm not going to need new mounts or isolators since they are attached to the spring. I looked for new bumpstops but didn't find anything. This brings the price down but $560 is still shocking.
Are the SACHS brand any good? Fronts are more expensive but the rears are nearly half the Motorcrafts and they are listed as "Super Touring".
Is there a better idea out there? I guess I've been happy with the base shocks for 100K miles, I could just stick with them. BOOO!!!!
 
^^^ weird, when i look, i dont get those prices (03 v8)

it looks like the only motorcraft they have is

rear standard $ 90
rear special (service replacement kit) $ 199

front special $121
front standard - none listed

when looking at V6 (which is what he has) there is also a front special for $84
 
CTX-SLPR said:
Is there a better idea out there? I guess I've been happy with the base shocks for 100K miles, I could just stick with them. BOOO!!!!
Click to expand...

For twice your price you can put coil-overs from Stance on it. Dial it as high or low (and stiff or loose) as you want. But those have their own issues. See that thread for more info.
 
1LoudLS said:
^^^ weird, when i look, i dont get those prices (03 v8)

it looks like the only motorcraft they have is

rear standard $ 90
rear special (service replacement kit) $ 199

front special $121
front standard - none listed

when looking at V6 (which is what he has) there is also a front special for $84
Click to expand...

AHHHHHH....... I used an '06 LS. ODD as the shocks are the same....
 
so wait a gosh dern minute, you mean to tell me that if i order shocks for a 06, they are almost half the price???

and here i thought the rock was the place to go...

$&cking amateurs lol
 
Kumba said:
For twice your price you can put coil-overs from Stance on it. Dial it as high or low (and stiff or loose) as you want. But those have their own issues. See that thread for more info.
Click to expand...
Read the thread, think I can help with the camber issue and adustable upper arms though that's not going to be an issue for me. Really though I'd like to spend half as much, not twice.

LS4me said:
AHHHHHH....... I used an '06 LS. ODD as the shocks are the same....
Click to expand...

1LoudLS said:
so wait a gosh dern minute, you mean to tell me that if i order shocks for a 06, they are almost half the price???

and here i thought the rock was the place to go...

$&cking amateurs lol
Click to expand...
I think I know what I'm doing if those part numbers won't cause a funky handling V6 car with base level sway bars for the time being.
 
CTX-SLPR said:
I think I know what I'm doing if those part numbers won't cause a funky handling V6 car with base level sway bars for the time being.
Click to expand...

I've had sport shocks on my base '00 V6 for years. They work just fine.
 
RockAuto have a lot of catalogue mistakes (when it comes to the LS) ;)
 
I changed my strut mounts, but they were still perfect at 150,000 miles. The mounts don't turn on a LS. The spindle is separate from the strut. Lots of cars have a bearing in the mount not the LS. It's really just a rubber bushing.
 
The parts number that RockAuto lists for the 06 shows up in other places as being for the LS but no idea of what's ground truth. I'm tempted to order them and see if they fit since RockAuto does have a return policy.

I don't need them now but I know I will within the decent future and I don't want to mess up my new tires with wornout shocks.
 
Gus_Mahn said:
I changed my strut mounts, but they were still perfect at 150,000 miles. The mounts don't turn on a LS. The spindle is separate from the strut. Lots of cars have a bearing in the mount not the LS. It's really just a rubber bushing.
Click to expand...

That's why they're called shocks and not struts. Also why we have a coil-over setup.
 
CTX-SLPR said:
Necroposting... but it's my thread.


Are the SACHS brand any good? Fronts are more expensive but the rears are nearly half the Motorcrafts and they are listed as "Super Touring".
Is there a better idea out there? I guess I've been happy with the base shocks for 100K miles, I could just stick with them. BOOO!!!!
Click to expand...

I looked up those Sachs super touring shocks and the way they describe them (the company that makes them, that is) these type of shocks sound like they would turn your ride and handling into a Town Car's ride and handling.

I did purchase a Sachs clutch set for my LS from Rock Auto and have not had any complaints with its performance in the two years that I have been running it, FWIW.
 
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