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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 63
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Hey guys, I have a 1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L DOHC SFI. My struts need replacing because one in the back is leaking and making horrible noise over bumps and my ride has stiffened horribly. So bad, I get backaches driving my car now. It's like driving a truck without struts/shocks.  SO, should I have the dealer replace them or someone else. I want to make sure I get the best results that my ride softens. Thanks Mary
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Call a few places & get QUOTES for the job. An 'estimate' will be a guess & the shop or dealer may decide to charge more if they have any difficulties. A quote will be a firm price for installed parts.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 410
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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The rear struts were tough on my 95 Zetec. The top of the strut goes very high into the fender. Hard to get at. Replaced the springs as well. One was broken.
95 Contour GL. Bought new.
BAT Sway Bars/Pioneer CD/Koni Rear Struts/Mobil Fluids.
Looking for 15" alloy rims-PM me.
180,500km's so far.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 63
CEG\'er
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OP
CEG\'er
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Thanks for the reply.
I am still wondering:
1. Will the dealer OEM struts make the ride smoother?
2. Does it matter if I use OEM or after market?
3. What are ways to make the ride smoother?
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,456
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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The ride may not be smoother, but less shudder on a bump if your strut has worn out. Oem is best if you can get them at a good deal (Bill Jenkins Ford, Steve Tousley Ford). I have used Monroe Sensatrac struts on a Dodge with good results but you will need to replace both rear struts. You might need sway bar links or have a broken spring or bad mount. The easiest way to soften the ride is reduce tire pressure. If you have 35 psi, that's too hard, try 32 all around. Some tires naturally ride hard. The Contour is a "sporty" ride by nature, but not back hurting (at least not with the stock wheels.) [If you have 17-20 inch rims those will tend to ride hard  ]
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 63
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by FavoriteMystaque:
The ride may not be smoother, but less shudder on a bump if your strut has worn out. Oem is best if you can get them at a good deal (Bill Jenkins Ford, Steve Tousley Ford). I have used Monroe Sensatrac struts on a Dodge with good results but you will need to replace both rear struts. You might need sway bar links or have a broken spring or bad mount. The easiest way to soften the ride is reduce tire pressure. If you have 35 psi, that's too hard, try 32 all around. Some tires naturally ride hard. The Contour is a "sporty" ride by nature, but not back hurting (at least not with the stock wheels.) [If you have 17-20 inch rims those will tend to ride hard ]
Thanks. I guess I will stick with the dealer and install OEM struts...hopefully soften the ride. They said they charge $248.00 to install the rear sruts. I guess not a bad price for the dealer. Also, I was told, it's a lot of work to replace these struts.
In addition, I just got new tires last year,
Goodyear Assurance ComforTred P205/60R-15 90T VSB
and I keep them at 34 PSI as suggested. I want to keep them at the specific PSI so they wear evenly. Already I notice the front tires have a little ripple like on the outer ends of the them. I need to find out why that is happening. I paid good money for these tires.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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It is a bit of a job, be prepared if it needs a new upper mount or a spring. 34 PSI might feel a little hard. If the front tires wear evenly at the outer edges, it's from cornering. Might be time for a tire rotation. If one edge wears more than the other the alignment is off.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 63
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
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Originally posted by FavoriteMystaque:
It is a bit of a job, be prepared if it needs a new upper mount or a spring. 34 PSI might feel a little hard. If the front tires wear evenly at the outer edges, it's from cornering. Might be time for a tire rotation. If one edge wears more than the other the alignment is off.
Hey FavoriteMystaque...you got it mistaken. I'm a girl no way would I install struts. I was saying, I think I will have the dealer install the OEM struts.
My initial inquire was....does is matter if I have the OEM installed at the dealer or have someobe else do it with after-market struts? I want the comfort and not have the ride so hard that my back aches from driving the car.
So, I am leaning towards the dealer installing them.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Like I said, get quotes. You'll get the best price & predictable service.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 728
Veteran CEG\'er
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I have a full set of SVT struts that I am looking to sell if anyone is interested... 62K on em -- I simply swapped them when I bought the car, it rode nice but I didn't want to cut the stockies for the GC's I bought.
Crispy
99 Cougar - Arancio Atlas/Grey Graphite Pearl Custom Widebody
98 CSVT - Silver Frost #4014/6535 - Born 10/21/97
98 CSVT - Silver Frost #4085/6535 - Born 11/10/97
See My Rides
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