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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,163
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,163 |
Hey I emailed sp motorsports and checkout the response I got from them. Notice how they rank the stiffest to softest springs some what different demonsvt's ranking.
And for the best ride in NYC they recommend the bat kit.
Boy sometimes I wish I could try all the spring strut combinations out there myself on my car before purchasing. But the question remains who would pay for all those installs?
here is the response below
"Q1. Are all the below kits in stock?
A1. We have the Bilstein struts, H&R springs, and Eibach springs in stock. We don't have the BAT springs, but should have them by late next week.
Q2. Which of the below springs offers the least sporting rate? If I am correct the H&R spring is the most sporty and the Eibach is the least sporty and the BAT spring is in between correct? I live in NYC the land of potholes.
A2. As a rule, the "shorter" the spirng, i.e., the lower it drops the vehicle, the stiffer it will be. Since we are only talking about a few tenths of an inch from the least drop (BAT) to the most (H&R), the ride difference is negligible (in my opinion), but if I had to rank them from stiffest (sportiest) to softest, it would be H&R > EIbach > BAT.
Q3. Are the three different springs of a progressive rate design or linear?
A3. All of these springs are progressive rate springs, as you will find in nearly all aftermarket street springs.
Q4. I do load my car from time to time with people and stuff in the trunk will any of these springs pose a problem with a loaded car or worded differently will any of these springs effect the total weight that can be put into the car?
A4. If you stay within the load limits of the car as specified by Ford, you should be OK. Of course, the lower the spring is, the less travel you have to complete compression and encountering the bump stops, but if your struts are new, you should still be OK.
Q5. Lastly is there any other questiojns I should ask about springs before choosing them?
A5. The only other thing to possibly consider is the lifespan of the spring. The BAT springs are essentiall OE Ford of Europe springs, meaning, they will eventually begin to sag like any other stock spring. As aftermarket springs, the Eibachs and H&Rs will last a very long time. I have personally put more than 180K miles on a set of Eibachs on my SHO and they still have not sagged. We're big Eibach and H&R fans here.
Another point is that we like the BAT Euro struts better more the Bilsteins for overall ride quality. Again, these are OE Ford of Europe struts, and will eventually wear out, but the combination of these with any of these springs produces a gratly improved handling Contour that is not too stiff.
Bilstein Struts (f/r) + BAT Sport Springs 95-00 Contour & 99-02 Cougar (941-K400B) .... $699.00 kit
Bilstein Struts (f/r) + Eibach Pro-Kit Springs 95-00 Contour 99-00 Cougar ONLY (941-K400BE) .... $743.00 kit
Bilstein Struts (f/r) + H&R Springs 95-00 Contour (941-K400BH) .... $709.00 kit "
comments please
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Posts: 768 |
contour_phoenix_when, speaking of trying all combinations, I'm going to put BAT kit the weekend after. you are more than welcome to stop by say 3 weeks from now and I'll give you a relatively comprehensive demo... which is to say I won't drive to Brooklyn, thank you very much . I'm 15 minutes away from Lincoln tunnel.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by alex_96GL: contour_phoenix_when,
speaking of trying all combinations, I'm going to put BAT kit the weekend after. you are more than welcome to stop by say 3 weeks from now and I'll give you a relatively comprehensive demo... which is to say I won't drive to Brooklyn, thank you very much . I'm 15 minutes away from Lincoln tunnel.
Hey alex... are installing them yourself or u paying someone??
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Posts: 768 |
I got a quote from the closest stealership and there is no way in hell I'm paying THAT. I can't imagine trusting any of the local shops w/ that kind of job either. So I figured I stop being a coward and do it myself. And then one kind CEGer offered to stop by and give me a helping hand so I hope it will be fun.
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,631
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Well... now u have a third person.
As matter of fact, I am also buying my suspension any time soon.. and i have anotehr CEG (Brapple from the CT forums) that offered to help me. And besides him I have another friend that has experience with cars.
Basically i was planning on doing the rear end first in few hours and the front end following week.
Let me know if u need some manuals/help or anything.
bborges792hotmail.com
Later
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 2,163
Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Posts: 2,163 |
You did not say what ford was asking for for the install.
Well, I would not do the install my self because I feel ther are other suspension componenet that need to be inspected by a trained eye that knows what to look for to determine what else might need replacing while the parts are out. I have a torn boot on the passenger side axel. So I was planning to replace that one as well during the springs and strut install. Parts alone will cost 1300 bucks so far. CUrrently when turning and hitting a bump at the same time I get a metal rubbing on metal sound which I think might possibly be a bushing on a metal component failing. So I would need a suspension tech guy able to spot the causes of these noises to talk a look at it while the car is both assembled and disassembled.
Actually I was looking this weekend to take the car to a tires and suspension place, FIRESTONE maybe, to determine through checking what else needs replacing.
SO I have asked this question before and I will ask it again. While replacing the struts and springs what else should be check for possible replacement while the springs and struts are off?
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Joined: May 2001
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Originally posted by contour_phoenix_when: SO I have asked this question before and I will ask it again. While replacing the struts and springs what else should be check for possible replacement while the springs and struts are off?
Same thing here.
I've been reading about some parts that should be greased every so often (which explains why i have so MUCH suspension noises at 120K miles and I never did any lubing).
so.. what else should be checked/greased while struts are out?
Phoenix, I know for sure the rear sway-bar is something I have to do. I've read the contours have weak swaybars and most positively at 120K miles I need a new one.
Anything is POSSIBLE... sowing the seeds of love"
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 768
Veteran CEG\'er
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Veteran CEG\'er
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Re: price
stadium ford in Rutherford NJ service dept opened the book and showed me the times. for all 4 corners it amounts to 5.5 hours @ $85 per hour. plus alignment $75 flat which I will obviously do anyway. you do the math
Re: other parts need replacement
from my experience, OEM rear sway bar bushings are shot at 60K, same goes for links. these are easy to do. front bushings are probably also shot, but they are PITA to replace and it will take a long time and shop will charge you for that.
I have SVT swaybar w/ about 20-30K on it. Both stock sway bars were rusty. '98 looked much worse than '96 for some reason. sway bar brackets definitely don't age well
somebody else w/ more front suspension exposure will hopefully chime in too
from what you are describing I would take a long hard look at the A-arms too.
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Joined: Feb 2001
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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85 * 5.5 + 75 = 542.5 for the install
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Joined: Apr 2003
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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Hard-core CEG\'er
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reliable speedshop did mine for $80. look around.
99 SVTC, T-Red, #652/2760-12.8.1998
Mother#@%@!* did I sound abstract?
I hope it sounded more confusin than that!
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