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New Struts questions

C

CART99

New CEG'er
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
26
Location
Virginia
The front/rear struts on my '99 SVT are completely worn out, and I know I need to replace them. A couple questions:

I was happy with the handling/ride of my car when new, and I live on a dirt road, so lowering the car it not an option. A couple questions:

1. should I also replace the springs?

2. is there anything else that I should also replace at the same time? (i.e. will save labor costs to do it at same time vs. later)

3. where is the best place to get good prices on OEM parts? (I haven't found a local Ford dealer I'm happy with, Loudoun County Virginia)

Thanks for helping me keep my 'tour on the road!!
 
My car still has the stock springs with performance shocks and it rides fine, so if you dont want it lower dont bother replacing them. BAT seems to be the place for OEM type stuff and they can tell you all about the suspension stuff.
 
CART99 said:
The front/rear struts on my '99 SVT are completely worn out, and I know I need to replace them. A couple questions:

I was happy with the handling/ride of my car when new, and I live on a dirt road, so lowering the car it not an option. A couple questions:

1. should I also replace the springs?

2. is there anything else that I should also replace at the same time? (i.e. will save labor costs to do it at same time vs. later)

3. where is the best place to get good prices on OEM parts? (I haven't found a local Ford dealer I'm happy with, Loudoun County Virginia)

Thanks for helping me keep my 'tour on the road!!
Click to expand...
Answer to #3: http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthread.php?t=17

You don't mention how many miles are on the car. Generally springs don't wear out too quickly but sometimes they break. Do (or have done) an overall inspection of the front and rear suspension to determine what else needs to be done. Again, mileage plays into this. Stuff like lower control arm or sway bar bushings are wear parts. There are plenty of answers on this site. All you need to do are search for them and read to your heart's content.
Karl
 
I would generally suggest to replace both the struts and springs. You might as well considering the struts are shot. You would be better off replacing both than just putting springs on the car that will go out soon, then you would have to take them off again in order to put new springs on.
 
Team Ford is a good place to get factory parts. Bill treats us well and his prices are hard to beat.

That said, I have heard that the SVT front struts are no longer available from Ford. They now specify the non SVT strut as the replacement. You truly do want something stiffer than the normal Contour strut.

The suggestion to check out BAT is a good one. On other cars I have had exceptional luck with Bilsteins which BAT provides. Many have reported that they like BAT's own struts.

If you have not noticed any suspension sag with the factory springs, I would use them over again unless they show signs of rust or damage.
 
I agree with the visual inspection. My car had 130k on it. My fronts looked and felt good, but my rear struts and springs were rusted bad, and one rear spring was broke. So I decided to just change my rear struts and springs for now.

Even with the struts and springs rusted, the mounts and bearings were still good (but you really can't see them without taking out the struts and springs first, so that would be your call depending on how much you want to spend).

I am happy with the results. I didn't like the look of the ride height at first cuz it looked like it lifted the rear of my car higher than the front, but after about a week it settled down to look decent.

And Bill Jenkins from Team Ford is definitely the source for parts at a cheaper price.
***Just be sure to mention that you are a member of the CEG.

Frank
 
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