Stock Springs vs Quick-Strut on MTX?

[Zap]

I'm finally going to have time to replace the front struts on the '94 (which aren't too great anymore). The rears were replaced a few years back with Monroe Quick-Struts and the ride was majorly improved.

I've read that the front springs are different on the MTX, and they had been replaced with Motorcraft parts that were identical to the ones on the car maybe 4-5 years ago now. There was a broken spring at the time, though I have no idea why the struts or mounts weren't replaced also.

At any rate, I've got a set of Quick-Struts (it was easier to get all the pieces this way and there was a rebate) and I'm curious if I should swap the springs they came with for those already on the car, or if it really isn't worth the trouble.

Keeping in mind that the rears were replaced already - will there be much difference between the OE and Monroe front springs? I've read that this shouldn't be a huge job otherwise, and it really needs to be finished prior to winter.

Also, can anyone tell me if the pinch bolt or the bolt AND nut are supposed to be replaced each time? I bought the "kit" which of course only came with the bolt, LOL.

Thanks!

 

[hawkeye18]

The front pinch bolt shouldn't have a nut on it. If it does, it's been broken off already and somebody drilled it out and put a nut/bolt combo on it. In that case, the bolt you bought is useless...

The car will sit a little high with the quickstruts in it, but you can cut a dead coil off the springs to try to bring it down if you want.

 

[rubydist]

Yeah, the mtx cars will ride too high in the front w/ the quick struts, so if you have good mtx springs, I'd just swap those onto the new struts and put it together that way.

 

[Zap]

Well, it looks like I'll be swapping the springs - they still appear to be just fine. Keeping that in mind, is this a fairly fast moving job? I know that the rears are a lot more difficult to reach due to the location of the strut towers, and thankfully those were already done.

 

[hawkeye18]

Yeah, the fronts are definitely way easier than the rears. They suck. A good tip for you is to get a long crowbar or equivalent so you can force the knuckle down at the LCA to get it off the strut housing. Make sure you don't remove the top three nuts before you do!

 

[shobote]

yeah, and helps to just break the nut loose, (but don't unscrew it at all), on the top of the strut too before undoing the 3 tower nuts too. PITA if you remove the strut and then try it.