time to replace the stock shocks

[racer_inboston]

Bad insulators are not going to account for a 1.5" difference in ride height between corners like I measured on my truck. Plus I did not replace springs either, so only thing changed was the dampers. Like I said in my above post, a bad damper will not ALWAYS cause uneven ride height but it CAN, and it DID in my case. Im not going to go googleing to find you any documentation on this because I know it from first hand experience that it did change and level out the ride height on my truck. And as previously stated, you want to prove me wrong go snag two dampers off your S197 and take a pic of how she sits.

Ok, let me make this clear.

1-we are sepaking of the s197 mustang not the ford explorer. You honeslty are trying to compare apples and oranges here.
2- If you truck was sagging that bad then the veichicle was neglected after the damper became damaged, and there was an overload of rebound weight putting stress on your leaf springs making it sag (this is a known problem with ford explorers specially drivers side with 100+ pounds on a full tan plus driver if driver). I guarantee you that when I posted this it was intended for the mustang s197. I highly doubt that any s197 responsible owner is going to keep driving their s197 to the point that a damper becomes so bad and deteriorated to the point that it just rattles and other components start to give or take the impact that should have been dampen by the damper(shock absorber).
3- I get the vibe that you think I'm confrontational, and I'm in no way so. and i can also guarantee you that if I pull both rear shocks there ride height will not be affected (though the rear will be like a bouncin ball)

 

[fallenauthority]

Ok, let me make this clear.

1-we are sepaking of the s197 mustang not the ford explorer. You honeslty are trying to compare apples and oranges here.
2- If you truck was sagging that bad then the veichicle was neglected after the damper became damaged, and there was an overload of rebound weight putting stress on your leaf springs making it sag (this is a known problem with ford explorers specially drivers side with 100+ pounds on a full tan plus driver if driver). I guarantee you that when I posted this it was intended for the mustang s197. I highly doubt that any s197 responsible owner is going to keep driving their s197 to the point that a damper becomes so bad and deteriorated to the point that it just rattles and other components start to give or take the impact that should have been dampen by the damper(shock absorber).
3- I get the vibe that you think I'm confrontational, and I'm in no way so. and i can also guarantee you that if I pull both rear shocks there ride height will not be affected (though the rear will be like a bouncin ball)

Your right about the truck being neglected, I bought it at 195,000 miles and it still had factory dampers so I replaced them. And you are also correct, I felt as if you were being confrontational. And since it seems as if you arent I apologize for taking a confrontational stance against you. I will just have to agree to disagree on this point. I have seen it first hand with my truck, though I will admit ive never personally seen it on another persons vehicle, seeing it first hand on mine is enough to make me believe otherwise.

 

[Wind-Farmer]

Settle down racer...your the one asking a question about suspension in the first place, now it seems you are the suspension GURU.

 

[racer_inboston]

Settle down racer...your the one asking a question about suspension in the first place, now it seems you are the suspension GURU.

I'm not a newby in suspension, not do I think of myself as a suspension guru, but my experience with racing suspension such as granatelli for example isn't somehting I can or want to use for my daily driver. I was simply asking for an opinion for a stocker replacement windfarmer, and most of the good bros gave me their feed back. In no way was I trying to jump on someones neck, thats how you get banned.

I can't set up adjustable dampening and height on all four corners as I do have aexperience with such, it is useless for my daily driver. THAT IS THE MAIN REASON I STILL KEPT THE STOCK DAMPERS THERE. my car is a trophy winner for show and it does get out of its own way, but by no means do I want to make it a racer. thats what i have my fox stang for, all the suspension goodies on it with an all stock motor.

 

[racer_inboston]

Your right about the truck being neglected, I bought it at 195,000 miles and it still had factory dampers so I replaced them. And you are also correct, I felt as if you were being confrontational. And since it seems as if you arent I apologize for taking a confrontational stance against you. I will just have to agree to disagree on this point. I have seen it first hand with my truck, though I will admit ive never personally seen it on another persons vehicle, seeing it first hand on mine is enough to make me believe otherwise.

Don't mention it friend, here we always learn from each other, and i respect others opinions, I make thoers my own when backed by reputable data none the less. No need for apologies once again friend. my dad had an explorer and I had to swap out the leaf springs on it (drivers side ) because of the saggin issue.

 

[w-thompson]

Racer,

Since you want to stay stock you should check out these guys:

OEM Parts & OEM Wheels - Original Equipment Parts from NewTakeOff

They have pretty decent prices for shocks & struts:

2005-2009 Mustang GT Coupe Rear Shock R/L (Pair)

2005-2008 Mustang GT Front Strut R/L (Pair)

-Wayne

 

[racer_inboston]

Racer,

Since you want to stay stock you should check out these guys:

OEM Parts & OEM Wheels - Original Equipment Parts from NewTakeOff

They have pretty decent prices for shocks & struts:

2005-2009 Mustang GT Coupe Rear Shock R/L (Pair)

2005-2008 Mustang GT Front Strut R/L (Pair)

-Wayne

Wayne,
Thank you s much! this reply really rocks!

 

[CPman]

Just to kick the bee's nest a little here. The only time I have ever seen shocks have an affect on ride hight (very little) is in the case of gas charged shocks that might add a little extra ride hight until they wear out.

 

[gmantheman]

When you replace your shocks/struts, you may also want to replace your strut mounts. I made the mistake of not replacing the strut mounts when I installed the bilstien and now I have popping/clunking noise when I go over bumps.

 

[blbrchnk]

When you replace your shocks/struts, you may also want to replace your strut mounts. I made the mistake of not replacing the strut mounts when I installed the bilstien and now I have popping/clunking noise when I go over bumps.

Been there, done that. When I took my strut mounts to replace them, the one was completely split in half and all the little bearings fell out. I am thinking it might not have been designed to work like that.

 

[racer_inboston]

THank you all for your input, as always my bros here rock!!!!!!!!!

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Are you guys saying when I go to replace my OE struts I also need to replace the upper mounts? Do I replace them with Ford parts? Would it be best to go with GT500 or Steeda HD mounts? I intend to go with Koni STR.T struts. Not lowering car.

 

[walter]

gt500 insulators then. cheap and good especially if you aren't slamming the car.

 

[GOLDENPONY]

gt500 insulators then. cheap and good especially if you aren't slamming the car.

OK, now to show my ignorance. I was asking about strut mounts. You said something about "insulators". Are we talking about the same thing?

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Where's the best place to buy the GT500 mounts? I found them for $55.37 per pair from GEF Racing. Good?

 

[GOLDENPONY]

Ordered a pair of GT500 upper strut mounts from GEF Racing. $53.37, no tax, no shipping. Should go nice with the Koni STR.T struts & shocks next spring.