Opinions on this suspension setup

[iSpyder]

I believe my car is in need of a suspension replacement. The car currently has about 88k on the clock and I doubt the suspension has ever been replaced (bought it last April with 82k miles). I use it as a daily driver and really don't want to invest a ton of money on this. Initially I was thinking about KYB/Eibach's all around but found conflicting information on whether this worked successfully (prone to bottoming out). Now I'm thinking about going with OEM struts up front and KYB in back with Eibachs all around. Would this be a better option? I did some searching and it sounded like it was possible to run Eibachs up front if you ran the SARC in hard mode but since my car is a 99 I don't have the SARC option. I also noticed that when searching for OEM struts on a few sites (tasca and fastparts) the struts seemed to be the same for my car and the earlier years. Are they actually still making these struts or has Ford replaced them with something else?

Any thoughts on this setup or alternative solutions people have had success with? Thanks!

Erik

 

[luigisho]

I would go with discounted oem 99 struts or maybe Monroe quickstruts which come with strut and spring already assembled and ready to drop in (and they're not a fortune either). This isn't a great performance upgrade but should be better than the old worn stuff most of us have currently.

 

[iSpyder]

Anyone else have thoughts on this? Could I go with KYB's and eibach's all around and not be hating life at the sight of a pothole or speed bump?

 

[Silvapain]

KYB's aren't enough strut for Eibachs. Even SARCs on full hard bottom out from time to time. Only strut I know of that will handle Eibachs are the Koni inserts.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Forget the KYB's, just get a set of OEM Ford struts for a 2000+ Taurus and unless you're looking for lowering you can stick with the stock springs. I run the 2000+ struts on my '99 with Eibach's and it's a nice combination too.

 

[iSpyder]

Forget the KYB's, just get a set of OEM Ford struts for a 2000+ Taurus and unless you're looking for lowering you can stick with the stock springs. I run the 2000+ struts on my '99 with Eibach's and it's a nice combination too.

The last option sounds interesting to me. Are the any modifications required to install the 2000+ struts on a 99? Also, I did a quick search and they list different struts for the 00-03 versus 04-07. Do you know if one a better choice than the other?

 

[SHOZ123]

Make sure the rear ones have a place to attach the sway bar end links.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Make sure the rear ones have a place to attach the sway bar end links.

Yes, order them for a 2002 SES sedan and you'll be fine.

IIRC, the Motorcraft P/N's are AST50 for the rears and AST51 & AST52 for the fronts (different right and left sides in the front).

They install exactly like factory struts. Only a handful of people would ever be able to tell they weren't technically SHO struts.

 

[Brett]

What do you have against the sensa tracs? they're dirt cheap, and there is more then a handful of guys running here with them with lowering springs without problems

 

[Mr Anonymous]

What do you have against the sensa tracs? they're dirt cheap, and there is more then a handful of guys running here with them with lowering springs without problems

Ummmm, who said anything about sensatracks???

That being said, they are simply not capable of handling the weight of the V8 SHO. Every set I've seen on a V8 car have blown out in less than a year. The OE Ford struts can be had for about $250 or so for a set of 4 which is a damn good price for something that will last a lot longer.

 

[bad_4dr_sho]

I havent heard of the 2000+ strut swap before, sounds like it would be a good idea. A year ago I ran KYB struts all the way around on my car and they felt like total crap. I thought I was driving a windstar thats how much of a wavy feeling it gave the car. I just went and bought motorcraft factory struts no SARC. They work great.

 

[AllSHO_n_NoGO]

Yes, order them for a 2002 SES sedan and you'll be fine.

IIRC, the Motorcraft P/N's are AST50 for the rears and AST51 & AST52 for the fronts (different right and left sides in the front).

They install exactly like factory struts. Only a handful of people would ever be able to tell they weren't technically SHO struts.

So your saying to run the 2002 Taurus SES struts front and rear? This eliminates the SARC system since I am guessing those struts do not utilize it. How does the ride compare between these struts and a good set of SARC's?

Are you also recommending to run the `02 springs or another type of a spring?

I am asking because my rear struts are about at the end of life so I am exploring alternatives now.

 

[Brett]

Ummmm, who said anything about sensatracks???

That being said, they are simply not capable of handling the weight of the V8 SHO. Every set I've seen on a V8 car have blown out in less than a year. The OE Ford struts can be had for about $250 or so for a set of 4 which is a damn good price for something that will last a lot longer.

Didnt see this was in the v8 section, that'll teach me to post on anything/everything under "new posts" My bad.

 

[iSpyder]

Yes, order them for a 2002 SES sedan and you'll be fine.

IIRC, the Motorcraft P/N's are AST50 for the rears and AST51 & AST52 for the fronts (different right and left sides in the front).

They install exactly like factory struts. Only a handful of people would ever be able to tell they weren't technically SHO struts.

Ok so I found these struts and they are very affordable. The recommendation seems to be to replace the strut mounts as well. Do I order the ones for a 2002 or for my 99 or does it really matter? Same question on which Eibach's I would order as well. Also, are there any other things I should replace while I'm in there? I currently have sway bar bushings and rear Gen III subframe bushings for all around waiting to go in. Thanks guys for all the great info!

Doing my part to keep the economy going...

Erik

 

[kracer1]

Not to but in on your thread but I'm in the process of replacing my struts on a 97 with SARC's and have a quesiton. Anyone know how to remove the sensor connector from the strut? Does it screw on with that big nut? If so what direction to turn it to remove this thing? I'm also not wanting to put the SARCs back on so I'd appreicate a good recommendation on struts with stock springs. BTW I'm replacing the strut mounts, sway bar bushings, ball joints and end links; anything else with the suspension that should be checked?

 

[SHOZ123]

The wire stays with the strut. It is disconnected under the fender liner.

 

[kracer1]

Aahh, gotcha! I"ll go dig under there. thanks,

 

[kracer1]

Umm, anyone know where to find the location of the SARC connectors under the hood? Do all four connect at the same location?
thanks

 

[SHOZ123]

They aren't under the hood. They are under the front fender liner.

 

[iSpyder]

Hey Guys,

Does anyone know what I parts I should use for the other questions I had? I want to make sure not to order the wrong strut mounts or Eibach springs when going with 2002 struts. Also if there are any other recommendations on parts I should replace while I'm in there, those would be great too? Thanks again for all the help.