Lowering the car Thursday, IMPORTANT Q's to ask..

[Osiris]

OK guys...

I found a shop to do the springs, and am getting them done on Thursday, my question is about the shocks/struts. Should these be prplaced? I have 46,000 miles on the car right now, and I know it's cheaper to do it all at once, right? What kind do I need and where can I get them? Will the stock SARC'ed shocks / struts work OK?

and what else will have to be done? alignment, right? anything else???

Puhlease answer soon, I was hoping to get all the stuff today while I have a day off.

Thanks!!!

 

[Gianni]

I just had my shocks/struts replaced with 65k on the clock. The difference is like night and day. I to have to have my springs put on. Wuzzer has them on his and I beleive he has the stock struts/shocks. You will need an alignment. Other than that I am not sure. The SARC's are pretty pricey but worth it.

 

[CMurderSHO]

you only have one choice to get the sarc struts unless you plan to a little custom work to the suspension. And yes you should replace the sarcs at the same time as it is a labor that will cost so do it all at once. and forget about the alignment. There is no way to get it proper without some custom work also.

 

[lmuscella]

I am thinking about installing the Roush springs also but I was wondering if the ride is going to be much harsher. I still use it as a family car and I don't want to beat up my family while I am driving. But I really like the looks of it. Also, how difficult is it to find somebody to install it. Can't I go to a Ford Dealer?

 

[wuzzzer]

CMurderSHO:
and forget about the alignment. There is no way to get it proper without some custom work also.

I ordered and will be receiving shortly a Ford rear camber alignment kit. I'm hoping that I can get closer to the factory camber settings. I'll have to have the front welds drilled also to get the front end closer to factory specs.

 

[Osiris]

Hmmmm... How bad is the alignment going to be??

If it's going to be too bad, I'll forget doing the springs altogether and just get rid of them.

Who sells the shocks / struts besides the Ford dealer? ( I just KNOW they won't have them in stock anyway. )

I guess this means I won't be getting the car lowered tomorrow afterall. I'd better get all of the stuff first. Who sells the camber kits???

 

[SHODWN]

coupla things.

1. the 96's have either 1 or 2 rear SARC sensors(early 96 had 2 late 96 had 1) you may have to adjust your sensors. your lowering the car so you will want to lenghten the sensor there are holes there to do this. The fronts also may have to be adjusted- the top part of the mount have a little play (loosen the nut and slide up) I have to also adjust the bottom on mine. depends on if your sensors detect that its lower than it should be. it will place the car in stiff mode. This has happened to a few cars and some like Mark it has not it all depends where your sensors are.

2. strut options: The 99 NON-sarc struts work just fine. you dont plug into the e-harness. it will store a code but not display it in your PCM.

Mark, send me the part number for that kit.

Just an observation here. I drove LASTSHO's car (99) and the non sarc struts felt a little musshy to me, I mean it was excellent but softer that mine. when my sarcs blow I will replace them with 99 struts. with the stiffness of my car already I would welcome the 99 struts with all my heart. Plus my ass would love it too.

 

[wuzzzer]

Here's a quote from Ford Parts Network:

"E6DZ-5K751-A adjusting cam $6.49 ea. 2 needed."

 

[Osiris]

Alright, screw this.

I just checked into replacement parts, I can't get any prices for struts, but I got shock prices that total nearly 600.00 for the whole car. My car was built in March of 96. It sounds to me like there is entirely too much BS involved with these springs. For all the trouble it's worth, I'll just keep my ride height the way it is. I know sooner or later I'll have to replace the shocks and struts, but right now, my car shows no sign of trouble so hey, I'll wait and do it some other time. I may just gather all the crap I need to do it later, maybe even go with some other suspension parts like Tokiko or Intrax. I don't have the tools, time or expertise to do this myself so I have to trust a shop to do it, and it sounds like there is alot of shit involved, I just know that no one around here knows what the **** they are doing with this car so I guess I'll be cancelling my appointment tomorrow.

Also, there is a set of 17's in my future. Instead of going with a rubberband like tire, I'll go with a taller profile, which hopefully will eat up some emptiness in the fenderwells.

The wheels I'll be getting will either be Enkei 5+'s or Helo Bezels.

 

[wuzzzer]

Shocks? What site quoted you prices on shocks for a Taurus, SHO for that matter?
We have struts and springs.

 

[boojew]

Can someone please elaborate on the wheel alignment problem!!?

Why does this happen? How bad is it?

Thanks

 

[Osiris]

Parts.com

Anyhoo...

I'm not going to lower my car, too much crap involved.

soooooo.....

I'll be selling my Roush springs..new, still in the box, untouched my human hands.....

Also, I'm staying with the stock wheels, actually, I want chrome ones. Anyone interested in a trade who has them e mail me, my wheels are in excellent shape, never seen anything but sun and rain, 47,000 miles on 'em. I would like a set that is in similar condition. If I can't find any, I'll get mine chromed.

It will be rims only, as I have new tires on the car and plan on keeping them.

thanks guys!

 

[SHODWN]

oh lower the car. no pain no gain.

I didnt want to scare you but that stuff happens to some of the car and others there are no issues.

 

[Osiris]

nah...

Made up my mind. The SHO will stay relatively stock.

As soon as I pick up the 'Bird, I'll slow down on driving it as well, maybe only on weekends or maybe even less than that, we'll see.

Instead, I'll dump a few bucks on the Thunderbird, I'm putting a CD player in it, tinting the windows and most likely, dumping the 2:73's for the 3:27's I have in the garage.

The SHO will have a nice home in the garage, though.

 

[boojew]

PrplSHO,

Check your email

 

[SHODWN]

installed a pair of one offs with the same rate as the OEM, no problem at all with alignment except now I scrape my font spoiler because its 1 1/2 inch off the ground. wheel well gap is now 1" thumbs_u squint

 

[SHODWN]

ps Mike. the strip is going back on now that im legal NASCAR height..