magindat
04-08-2006, 12:28 PM
Today I replaced my stock rear shocks with the Monroe 5995. The right was leaking which is what prompted the replacement. I got them from Mr. Reinhart for roughly $110 shipped and tax. They came with the appropriate hardware pack.
Install was straighforward. I did however, carefully cut off the factory dustboot and worked it to fit on the Monroe. I live on a semi dirt raod and feel the extra protection was necessary. By design, the Monroe is 'right side up' campared with the stock 'upside down' configuration. The piston rod is protected by a standard bell type covering. Again, I felt the extra protection was good in my case.
The standard hardware pack comes with one bowl and one convoluted deflection washer and a nut as well as 2 deflection bushings. I used the factory upper bowled deflection washer instead of the supplied convoluted one because I felt it would create a more uniform loading and the factory nut is pressed (works like a lock nut) and the supplied nut is not. I tightened the nut to the thread stops and the delfection bushings still allowed me to move the shock about.
The coating on the bottom pin made it a bit difficult to set the pin between the shock mounts. A little tapping with a dead blow mallet cured this and new went on like old came off.
The driving impression were very good. The rear end of this car is stock, and the right was leaking. Further, I ride on 45 series 20's, so understand what you are reading. These shocks seem to have stiff compression and fast rebound. I can feel the road much better, but the ride is not obnoxious. I still would not call it luxury, though this may be due in part to my higher air pressure and thinner sidewall tire. I have better control on high throttle turns and less lean. I feel I have more control over the rear end since now the weight transfer is more predictable. This will not stop me from control arms and sway bars. It has given me a teaser for more!
Straight line performance has improved, also. There's a lot less squat (tighter compresstion). I have a little benchmark near where I live. Stop light to the 45MPH speed limit sign. I usually just make it to 60, maybe 62. Today, 65 was easy. Tires are chirping a lot more easily without any power braking help.
I'd say not a bad hundred bucks and 2 hours spent. If you are looking for the luxo boat ride, try the 5994. I think they are the same mounts, but application is for Grand Marquis. I would assume this means different valving.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/P0004745.JPG
Install was straighforward. I did however, carefully cut off the factory dustboot and worked it to fit on the Monroe. I live on a semi dirt raod and feel the extra protection was necessary. By design, the Monroe is 'right side up' campared with the stock 'upside down' configuration. The piston rod is protected by a standard bell type covering. Again, I felt the extra protection was good in my case.
The standard hardware pack comes with one bowl and one convoluted deflection washer and a nut as well as 2 deflection bushings. I used the factory upper bowled deflection washer instead of the supplied convoluted one because I felt it would create a more uniform loading and the factory nut is pressed (works like a lock nut) and the supplied nut is not. I tightened the nut to the thread stops and the delfection bushings still allowed me to move the shock about.
The coating on the bottom pin made it a bit difficult to set the pin between the shock mounts. A little tapping with a dead blow mallet cured this and new went on like old came off.
The driving impression were very good. The rear end of this car is stock, and the right was leaking. Further, I ride on 45 series 20's, so understand what you are reading. These shocks seem to have stiff compression and fast rebound. I can feel the road much better, but the ride is not obnoxious. I still would not call it luxury, though this may be due in part to my higher air pressure and thinner sidewall tire. I have better control on high throttle turns and less lean. I feel I have more control over the rear end since now the weight transfer is more predictable. This will not stop me from control arms and sway bars. It has given me a teaser for more!
Straight line performance has improved, also. There's a lot less squat (tighter compresstion). I have a little benchmark near where I live. Stop light to the 45MPH speed limit sign. I usually just make it to 60, maybe 62. Today, 65 was easy. Tires are chirping a lot more easily without any power braking help.
I'd say not a bad hundred bucks and 2 hours spent. If you are looking for the luxo boat ride, try the 5994. I think they are the same mounts, but application is for Grand Marquis. I would assume this means different valving.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/3/5/4/8/P0004745.JPG