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Ok,
I am very aware of all the posts & threads out there on this topic and I have spent a good 2 hours reviewing them.
I just am looking for a straigt answer. My search started with a sale at Canadian Tire for Monroe Sensa-Trac struts...but then I did some searching here and noticed a lot of people say avoid them.
So I think I've settled on the BAT suspension.
Contour SE V6 Sport, 65,000km
Questions:
1) Do I NEED the camber/caster adjustment kit ($75 per wheel!)?
2) My steering is a bit sloppy, do I need to replace some bushings or something?
3) Would someone who has order this stuff/already has done the same thing which I am going to do be kind enough to go to http://www.ctamotorsports.com/ and let me know the part numbers I need?
4) **IMPORTANT** I live in Canada, where is the best place to buy this stuff???
5) Also...anything that I should replace while I have this thing apart?
Swaybar clamp bushings? Upper Strut mounts?
BAT Suspension Guide:
http://64.202.180.37/files/csusp.pdf
I know this is here in the forums already (if I was to look at thousands of threads I might actually find what I'm looking for ...eventually 
Thanks in advance 
Last edited by Rob___; 02/10/06 10:37 PM.
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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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Originally posted by Rob___:
Ok,
I am very aware of all the posts & threads out there on this topic and I have spent a good 2 hours reviewing them.
I just am looking for a straigt answer. My search started with a sale at Canadian Tire for Monroe Sensa-Trac struts...but then I did some searching here and noticed a lot of people say avoid them.
So I think I've settled on the BAT suspension.
Contour SE V6 Sport, 65,000km
Questions:
1) Do I NEED the camber/caster adjustment kit ($75 per wheel!)?
NO
Originally posted by Rob___:
2) My steering is a bit sloppy, do I need to replace some bushings or something?
Maybe. Get under there & check. I'll bet you could use some new lower control arms... Just check the condition of things before you start throwing money at it.
Originally posted by Rob___:
3) Would someone who has order this stuff/already has done the same thing which I am going to do be kind enough to go to http://www.ctamotorsports.com/ and let me know the part numbers I need?
Need more info about your car. Specifically, what model year is it?
Originally posted by Rob___:
4) **IMPORTANT** I live in Canada, where is the best place to buy this stuff???
CTA has been good to deal with. Otherwise, find out what shipping is from BAT. You might also check the other threads here for bargain struts from Bill Jenkins & get the part numbers in the thread. Then contact your local Ford dealer to see if they can give you the super-duper deal for those part numbers. Sup'm like $30 a strut or sup'm like that, dirt cheap.
Originally posted by Rob___:
5) Also...anything that I should replace while I have this thing apart?
End links, check the control arms, strut mounts maybe, you really have to get it looked at to see what wear items you'll need. You do have fairly low miles, so you may not need much.
Originally posted by Rob___:
Swaybar clamp bushings? Upper Strut mounts?
BAT Suspension Guide:
http://64.202.180.37/files/csusp.pdf
I know this is here in the forums already (if I was to look at thousands of threads I might actually find what I'm looking for ...eventually
Thanks in advance
Bushings are suggested, but with your low miles, you may not need them yet.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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TourDeForce,
Thanks!
Well, it's a 1998.5 Tour.
As for the Ford Dealer...I was getting the BAT suspension because everyone praised them so much. Saying they provide better performance without making it a ricer (read way too low).
...
Rob
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If you want a firmer ride & a performance suspension setup, the BAT kit is GREAT. But since you were looking a Monroe, I figured a fairly stock setup would perform somewhere in between & likely cost MUCH LESS than your other options - especially since you will be getting only struts.
Hang on, I'll link to the bargain strut thread so you can easily find the part numbers for your car...
OK, here ya go:
Strut links from Bill Jenkins
The links from Bill take you to his web site with part numbers for both the front & rear struts. The rears may not be available as yet, but perhaps soon... If you can turn your local dealer on to these prices, you may get a super bargain from Ford!
Enjoy!
As for your sloppy steering, check the outer tie rod ends, the lower control arm bushings (where they connect to the subframe) and the ball joints that are part of the lower control arm. If those parts are worn, replace them.
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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Hey Tour,
Those are a very good deal!
I'm just wondering if instead of those I just order the BAT Suspension Kit ...with springs.
Not sure if the Kit is worth it but from the sounds of it everyone loves it!
Rob
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If and when you put on the rear springs, either cut off the rubber hose on the rear coil springs and use a spring wrap instead, OR seal the ends of the hose with RTV silicone so that moisture cannot enter the hose. Use a liberal amount of it too. Search for my post from about six months back for the pictures and the reasons why. Since you are up north that may happen to you sooner than it did me. Not a problem with a BAT spring but a problemwith any spring that has hose on it in a moist environment.
Former owner of '99 CSVT - Silver #222/2760
356/334 wHP/TQ at 10psi on pump gas!
See My Mods
'05 Volvo S40 Turbo 5 AWD with 6spd, Passion Red
'06 Mazda5 Touring, 5spd,MTX, Black
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The BAT kit IS great. I have it on my Mystique & drive it every day. The ride is quite firm with my 225/45-17 tires, but not bone jarring. VERY stable & capable, but not as comfortable as the stock setup. If you have really bad roads where you live and don't HAVE to get a performance upgrade, you might be better off stock, I think. If you want a nice performance upgrade and your roads are not too bad, go for the BAT kit, definately. The BAT kit is a wonderfull all around upgrade. CTA prices are very fair from what I've seen. Grab a set before the price goes up. If you want the comfortable stock ride and to save a buttload of cash, the value struts are the way to go. Choice is yours. 
Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.
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LOL...yeah the choice is mine...so many choices  Rob
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Rob, are you installing yourself? If so, you can save a nice bit of $$. When I did mine, I used the money for the install to instead upgrade to the BAT kit. The BAT kit is really a good choice, especially for the money.
Scott
Scott
Mabe I WILL be Phil.
1999 Contour SVT, Tropic Green
BAT kit, K&N RU-3530+MAF, Magnecore 8.5mm, some audio goodies, Hightowers, Knauberized, tatoo by Parkedcar.
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Originally posted by getsum111:
Rob, are you installing yourself? If so, you can save a nice bit of $$. When I did mine, I used the money for the install to instead upgrade to the BAT kit. The BAT kit is really a good choice, especially for the money.
Scott
Scott,
Is it possible to do myself? Don't I need special tools to compress the strut? Is there a thread topic somewhere explaining how to do it? I did the alternator swap myself, so I'm up for any task to save a few bucks
To tell you the truth, if I can do it myself I would like too ...as I know it's done correctly and if I find parts (while the stuffs apart) which need replacing I can go get them, whereas the installer will just put it all back together with the other parts still worn out.
Rob
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