New Struts

[mrjones]

I'm getting ready to replace the front struts on my 03 w/54K miles - for the 2nd time. I've looked at Rock Auto, and they show 3 different units: KYB, Monroe, and Ford. They're all priced closely enough that price isn't an issue. I've had two sets of the original and love the way the car rides and handles, but I'd like more than 25K per set.

Does anyone have any experience with the KYBs or Monroes?

[Jeremy]

As of this weekend when I had to rebuild practically the whole front suspension I have the Monroe severe service/duty struts. I've only had them on a few days, but they have a very nice but firm ride. Of course I don't know how long they will last, as they're still new.. but so far so good.

I tried to go with motorcraft (from the dealer). They called the depot and confirmed they were discontinued?

[DJCV]

Only 25K per set seems like an unacceptably short service-life.

I am running KYB Gas-A-Just and love them on my CV. Search for KYB on here and I think you will find that MM owners like them a lot, too.

[FordNut]

Still running original front shocks on both cars, one has about 120k the other 135k. Don't see why they would be shot so soon.

BTW, they're coilover shocks, not struts. The parts guys may call them struts but that's because they only know what the catalog says.

[BirchMarauder]

I also have the monroe severe duty. they are definitely not true to the factory feel. I noticed right away it had a more bouncier feel, like my old crown vic. when it's time, I will be replacing the monroes with something else. also, I thought our suspension was a tokico product?!

[mrjones]

When I said Ford, I meant the OE struts - they were Tokico. Loved the ride, but not the longevity. Rock Auto has them for about $100 each. List price at Ford the last time they were replaced under warranty was almost $200 each.

[magindat]

I love the monroes up front. They are a little more 'floaty' at speed on my lowered car, but they are also very responsive and soak up crappy road very nicely. On a lowered car, I consider them an improvement over stock. I probly have 30K on em lowered so far and no issues.

[mrjones]

I may regret this, but I'm gonna go back with the factory struts. I just ordered them from Ron Carter Ford for $102 each, and they're supposed to be here tomorrow. The price, the delivery time, and the stock performance all swayed me in that direction. I sure hope than last longer this time.

I also hope this fixes my jacked-up 4WD look.

[BLACKMARAUDER04]

I have KYB's allaround. About 30,000 on each so far. Lifetime warrant on Parts. Rock auto has the best prices for those. I carry lots of things all the time. Very good handling w/ my Z&M Contol Arms. Wouldn't change back.

[cougar9150]

I have the KYBs all around. As soon as I can afford it the rears are coming off. The front ones are actually a little stiffer than than stock, but I have always had a weird floaty problem with the back since day one. I tried removing them and cycling them the way the install notes suggest but thatg did not help.

I've had them installed for about 30k and was not impressed with them at all as they are supposed to be performance shocks. I feel that staying with the stock ones would have been a better choice. I will be going with the Naake rear shocks and probably leave the KYBs up front until they are dead then replace them with stockers and eibach springs.

We will see what I think after I get my new control arms and rear sway bar installed. Maybe it will not be so bad then.

[FordNut]

I have the KYBs all around. As soon as I can afford it the rears are coming off. The front ones are actually a little stiffer than than stock, but I have always had a weird floaty problem with the back since day one. I tried removing them and cycling them the way the install notes suggest but thatg did not help.

I've had them installed for about 30k and was not impressed with them at all as they are supposed to be performance shocks. I feel that staying with the stock ones would have been a better choice. I will be going with the Naake rear shocks and probably leave the KYBs up front until they are dead then replace them with stockers and eibach springs.

We will see what I think after I get my new control arms and rear sway bar installed. Maybe it will not be so bad then.

Don't do the Eibachs, go with the Naake fronts.

[cougar9150]

Thought about the Naake's but have never liked coil overs very much. Plus after seeing people doing the perch modification it makes me a little worried. I don't want to spend that kind of money just to have to do a bunch of work to them. I have never been in a Marauder with the Naake's so maybe once I get a chance to take a ride it will change my mind.

I will definitely be doing the Naake rears here shortly in the future but the front won't be addressed until next year. I can sell my wife on the rears because of the control arm bushings going bad. I can tell her it was a result of driving it around with bad bushings for a couple of weeks.

[FordNut]

Thought about the Naake's but have never liked coil overs very much. Plus after seeing people doing the perch modification it makes me a little worried. I don't want to spend that kind of money just to have to do a bunch of work to them. I have never been in a Marauder with the Naake's so maybe once I get a chance to take a ride it will change my mind.

I will definitely be doing the Naake rears here shortly in the future but the front won't be addressed until next year. I can sell my wife on the rears because of the control arm bushings going bad. I can tell her it was a result of driving it around with bad bushings for a couple of weeks.

Not sure what you mean about coilovers. The stockers are coilovers.

[Marauderjack]

Still running original front shocks on both cars, one has about 120k the other 135k. Don't see why they would be shot so soon.

BTW, they're coilover shocks, not struts. The parts guys may call them struts but that's because they only know what the catalog says.

Mine are still OK at 196K miles!!:beer::bows:

[cougar9150]

I mean coilovers with height adjustment. Had a set that came on an old civic I bought from a friend and the nuts kept backing off lowering the car as I drove. I also had a few friends with the same issue on their stangs and other vehicles. Not sure if it was just the quality of sets used but for import I know that Skunk 2 stuff is supposed to be pretty good quality. It was a $500 beater car so I never worried about and just sold it 6 months later when I got done with the V6 to V8 swap on my Cougar.

[SID210SA]

Mike.....I have the OEM's still on the front...no issues and I am at 87K the rears I have had to replace due to leaky shock syndrome....but still like the OEM's

[mherman18]

How do you know when to replace them?

[fastblackmerc]

Bounce the car up and down a few times, if the car still bounces more than 2 times after you let go it's time for new shocks.

[FordNut]

I mean coilovers with height adjustment. Had a set that came on an old civic I bought from a friend and the nuts kept backing off lowering the car as I drove. I also had a few friends with the same issue on their stangs and other vehicles. Not sure if it was just the quality of sets used but for import I know that Skunk 2 stuff is supposed to be pretty good quality. It was a $500 beater car so I never worried about and just sold it 6 months later when I got done with the V6 to V8 swap on my Cougar.

So far I haven't heard of anybody having problems with the Naake fronts not staying locked down. I'll find out soon.

[BirchMarauder]

How do you know when to replace them?

if they are leaking is another clue you need to change them.

[cougar9150]

Thanks FordNut I've also always wondered about having to modify the spring perch and hat on the fronts along with the lower bushing problems on the rears.

I just have a problem with "needing" to modify something to make it work correctly. For the kind of money you are spending with the Naake setup you shouldn't have to sleeve the lower rears or drill out the mount to make them fit properly.

[Canuck Marauder]

I'm not so sure buying new shocks from the dealer is such a good idea because i don't they're the original Tokicos. Dont forget that in most dealers, the parts counter acts like any other auto parts store and dont carry the actual "original part". But i do hope someone can prove me wrong because i'd love to replace my shocks with original Tokicos.

[FordNut]

Maybe. When I do brakes on my truck, exploder, or the wife's mm I have them special order OEM brake pads instead of using the Motorcraft ones they normally stock. Ever notice how much longer the factory brake pads last compared to even the best of the replacement pads?

[burt ragio]

Just today I was going to put new Hawk pads & Comand rotors up front since the car has 78,000 miles on the clock. Upon disassemble I noticed I still have 50% pad remaining. So I just cleaned & lubed the slides & reassembled. So much for OEM parts.

[DJCV]

Ha!
I finally replaced my fronts at 74K miles-----not because they were worn down, but just because I gave in to the upgrade fever. (Power Slot with Akebono).

[bigmerc2003]

Bounce the car up and down a few times, if the car still bounces more than 2 times after you let go it's time for new shocks.

Not so true, i did this with my truck and it passed the bounce test, BUT I had 4 bad shocks, one was frozen and the other was dead,

[HWYSTR]

Does anyone know the Tokico part number for the OEs? Maybe go directly to a Tokico distributor?


.

[04merc]

Bringin back a thread from last year!


Has anybody found the part number from the origonal tokico struts?
Before ford changed it? Reason I ask is because I just replaced mine, due to
wear, and noticed that the new "OEM" struts are Nowhere near as firm as the struts that came with the car in 04...

[04merc]

No body???