F & R Strut Mounts & Bearings Police? LONG

[iselltonsofthings]

I just don't know if there is that much of a difference between the police mounts and lower priced aftermarket found on Rock auto. That is why I'm having such a hard time throwing down the money for the police mounts. I'm lacking the knowledge to make a wise choice.

Here are three questions:

1. Can someone please explain the difference between the police mounts/bearings and the moog ones that are sold on Rock Auto.

2. I haven't contacted shonut yet, but can someone tell me if they still have the police mounts in stock, even though they are discontinued.

3. Is $200 a good price for New front police mounts & bearings. I had a guy contact me because he sold his sho and no longer needs them.

Here is the list of mods sitting on the shelf awaiting installation. Tell me what I should get in the way of all 4 strut mounts.

Full engine support package from spmotorsports.com That includes the HD upgraded rubber subframe mounts.
New front lower arms
new tie rod ends
Every suspension bushing new poly
Windstar front endlinks
Eibach Springs
Koni Struts
H brace
HD aluminum rear lower control arms, Bigger than the GM
HD full length sub frame connectors. Not thin 18 gauge
Rear Knuckle braces
Front & Rear Aluminum STB's
New bearings in all knuckles
96+ brakes front and rear

I'm wondering if the stiffer ride from the upgraded suspension parts will just hammer apart the lower quality moog mounts. Plus, I plan to start doing auto x-ing after I get it together.

Thanks for reading the long post. Sincerely, Scott

 

[luigisho]

The Moog mounts are of good quality. I would go with police if available and oem if not. Here's why.. the oem mounts have longer studs than the aftermarkets I've seen (and currently use). The STB's hardly clear the studs in front. Just a very few threads hold the 3 mount nuts to the mount with the thickness of the STB mounting plates added in. I will be changing at least the front mounts again this summer. I just changed them in the fall.

 

[SHOtimer]

I am replacing my original mounts (which are shot to crap) with Ford Police mounts. I have so far gotten the front done and the difference is phenomenal. I used the KYB struts, Moog Control Coils, and Police mounts. I have had an excellent outcome with that combo.

Doug

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

I went with the MOOG mounts, but have no plans for STBs. From what I have read, the fronts do nearly nothing in comparison to the rears.

Regardless, here is a pic of said Moog mounts, and the studs:

 

[iselltonsofthings]

From what I have read, the fronts do nearly nothing in comparison to the rears.

Do you mean the police mounts or the STB doing nothing for the front? I'm assuming you mean the rear STB is more important than a front STB because the firewall acts as somewhat of a brace holding the front together.

Can someone comment on $200 being a good price for front Police Mounts & Bearings

Thanks Scott

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Yes, I am referring to the STBs. The rear does wonders, while the front is nearly un-noticeable.

As for the price, that seems a bit high. Why are you so set on police mounts?

IIRC, my MOOG mounts ran ~$35 each, and the Bearings ~$20 each

Considering the construction of the MOOGS, and the fact that the mounts and bearings are wear items, I see no reason to go for the expensive "police" hardware.

 

[luigisho]

If you're going to install the front STB at least get the police mounts for the front. The Moogs all the way around will run you about $160 so $200 oem isn't that bad. BTW MOOG components are high quality manufactured parts.

However, when I bought Moogs for front and rear, they came with different parts. Some came with bearings, some not. The picture of the part description showed mounts included. Since I decided to 'save' money by purchasing them online, I had to ship parts back and forth a few times to get it right. In the end costing more than the local parts store who listed them a few $'s more up front. Just a few helpful hints to learn from the mistakes of others.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Yes, the descriptions of the Moog mounts are confusing on RockAuto's site. I wound up buying them from CARQUEST, to TRY and eliminate confusion.

The mounts I recieved did not include bearings, so I bought the bearings separately.

BTW, he said the $200 was just for the fronts.

 

[iselltonsofthings]

The reason it seems that I'm so interested in purchasing the Police mounts is because it is an easy way to solve all problems.

Everyone seems to agree that they are firm and well built. They last without breaking, and last but not least, the bolt heads will be long enough to allow proper amount of threads for the nut to grip. Remember, I've already purchased the STB's and I don't plan on not using them because I can't mount them properly.

I haven't done anything 1/2 way on this car and I don't plan to start. I'm taking great pride in this car because I do all of my own work, and I don't make a lot of money. I've been saving for about 2 years now, slowly working towards getting every last thing that I need to make this a very fast, great handling, and beautiful looking car.

Although we know the police mounts are the easy way out, frankly I don't have an unlimited budget. A little research on my part to save over a hundred dollars is well worth the minimal effort. If I can find another mount of equal quality, or modify the Moog mounts so that they will work with the STB's then there is no reason for me to buy the police mounts.

Thanks for your help and advise. It is all greatly appreciated.

Sincerely, Scott

 

[SolidState]

I just purchased all new mounting hardware from ford, and decided against the police mounts for a few reasons:

a) they are discontinued. I could still get them, but it wasn't worth the hassle.

b) they are thicker, which means the car will ride higher. this is counter productive when I am trying the lower the car about 1.5".

c) the original, non-police mounts and bearings lasted 170k (miles) and are not clunking. this would only suggest that they should last the rest of the practical life of my car.

Combine these factors with the increased cost of the police mounts, and it seemd clear which would be the better 'buy'.

I, for one, don't think I am doing anything 'half way'.