So I've got 86k miles on the SVT, and the only suspension parts I've replaced are the struts/springs w/ Koni/Eibachs @ 58k miles. I'd like to replace pretty much everything, to get rid of any slop/clunks/creeks, but wouldn't mind upgrading some parts if available. I think I'll start with the front of the car first.
Pulling the list of what Tony(CSVT1214) had done, I'll probably be doing the same. Hopefully some of the suspension gurus will be able to tell me what upgrades are available(polyurethane/beefier parts/etc).
Front
1. LCA's w/ ball joints
2. Outer tie rods
3. Front sway bar end links
4.
5.
What else should I add to the list?
Mark
Poly bushings from BAT for the sway bars. The new Ford end links are pretty nice. They are more beefy than the older style. I can get you a pic and part # tonight if you want. It's your choice for tie rods. Just do the LCA's with the ball joints already on and you'll be good to go.
Would be nice to get one with a zerk fitting so it can be greased. I'll have to see what Biggers has on the drivers side of his car tonight. It has a zerk and you can use a hex head to keep it from spinning when putting the nut on. I'll have to look at it better to see. I doubt it's a Ford piece.
Awesome. Try and get a picture of that too, or any info you can on it. Thanks Todd.
Mark
umm id also look into changing the pinch bolt nut and screw (T55 torx) mine were bent and what not..
also here are the torque specs.. 43 for the pinch bolt holding the ball joing and 62 for the LCA bolts..
Ive seen the lists for the front, but Im going to hijack for more info. What about the back (besides the endlinks)? What are the wear items back there?
The reason I ask is because Ive noticed my cars rear squirms a bit when I drive over a small sharp bump (like a man hole cover that is recessed into the pavement a bit). The back end "shifts" over a bit almost. Ive checked to make sure everything is tight, and it is. I was going to make my own post but I figure if you are gonna fix up the front, why neglect the rear?
I also installed ES front and rear sway bar bushings and end link grommets for the rear. And new Ford sway bar end links in the rear.
Out of all the parts I replaced, that part that needed it the most were the rear end links. No bushing left at all. The back end of my car was all over the place and clunky as hell over bumps.
If I were you, I would do the rear also, but the front is a PITA. Have to drop the subframe. I just happened to do mine when I did my 3L last summer.
I'll do the rear soon after. I don't like to start 5 projects at once, only to have 3 of them remain unfinished. I'll start with the front, and move to the back as money/time provides. I know I want to upgrade the rear sway bar, and I'll let someone else box it in.
Hell, the suspension isn't even bad, I just have a minor clunk during slow speeds, going over a recess in the road/parking lot. Might just gather all the parts and do it at once.
Mark
Just a little plug for rawburt here, the thing that helped my rear end squeeks and clunks the most was a rear strut tower bar. For some squeeks and such even new bushings with a helping of greese and endlinks didnt fully get rid of the clunks and stuff back there until I installed the bar. They are ALL gone now, and the car feels TERRIFIC
Originally posted by T-o double dizzo:
Originally posted by CSVT1214:
If I were you, I would do the rear also, but the front is a PITA. Have to drop the subframe.
Not if you have a 13mm gear wrench. 
When I did my fronts it was just a matter of an open end wrench and patience but the problem I found was that it was impossible to remove the bolt as it backed out because the subframe was in the way and prevented it from unthreading all the way.
Of course, that was a long time ago and I was at the height of my noobness so maybe there was another way of doing it...
Fordpartsonline.com shows LCA's for $52.46. The thing I want to know is, how can you tell if it's the 2 bolt or 4 bolt LCA's? It just says they are for 98-00 Contours.
Mark
If they are that cheap they are 2 bolt. Trust me. 4 bolt are $100 a piece.
Can somebody post pics of 4-bolt v. 2-bolt? I'm not really sure what to count as a "bolt" when I'm looking at mine...
call Bill J. He knows the difference and could give you the part number.
