Front Springs required - suggestions?

[Marawder]

With the Marauder front springs now discontinued/obsolete (per my guys in the parts dept here at the dealership I work at), what suggestions does anyone have for replacements? I drive about 60-70 miles per day highway, and in the past, tracked the car at Mosport (road course) once a year, but won't be doing that anymore, so just a daily driver all year round. Shocks still okay (no leaks, good rebound control) all around, this after 209,000km (130,000 miles).

[ctrlraven]

Unless they are broken there is no need to change them out.

[wannaMM]

What about Low ride height? Just bought a 145000 miler & was going to try and find a "normal ride height" measurment to gauge wear/tear on suspension.

[Marawder]

Unless they are broken there is no need to change them out.

Well, there's my problem. The driver-side spring is broken, but still effective, as the last 2" of the coil where it rests in the boot is what came apart, so I'm okay for the short-term.

[MOTOWN]

Get a set of Moog coils from Rockauto!

[ctrlraven]

Well, there's my problem. The driver-side spring is broken, but still effective, as the last 2" of the coil where it rests in the boot is what came apart, so I'm okay for the short-term.


Get a set of Moog coils from Rockauto!

There you go.

[burt ragio]

Get a set of Penskee coil overs. use the search. I think lifespeed has them.

[lifespeed]

No way your shocks are still good at 130k miles.

[ctrlraven]

No way your shocks are still good at 130k miles.
I have 200k miles on mine, I'm sure they are tired but still function fine.

[Marawder]

No way your shocks are still good at 130k miles.

I work at a Ford/Lincoln/SVT dealer (Sales Manager) and have my car serviced here only. The guys always check everything over quite well. No leaks on the shocks, no float over bumps, and I've run Mosport (a high-speed, demanding road-course) 3 of the last 4 years, so if there was a problem, it would certainly show up there. I had to replace the axle seals as they finally let go last summer, and replaced the pinion seal yesterday, as it was leaking a bit. I replace the tranny fluid every 50,000km and have only used synthetic from day 1. The DEATC head unit was replaced 2 years ago through my extended warranty, axle seals crapped out at Mosport 2 years ago, I bought a new stereo head unit from one of the guys here last year (works great since I still like my cassettes - no i'pod for me), and drive it year round with snows in winter.
The rear air suspension compressor pooched last week (new one in yesterday) so hopefully nothing else happens for a while. I don't want to let this thing go as I love it. but the trouble with working here is getting my hands on new stuff all the time and seeing just how out of date the Marauder is and there is nothing to replace it with - not yet anyway.

As for the spring, it broke sometime since the last service in late Feb.

[Mr. Man]

How much different are the P-71 springs from the MM?

[SilverSport]

Careful with the P71 springs. I believe they are near the same rate as the MM springs but your front end will be way too high. I used the Moog P71 springs in my Sport with exactly 1 coil cut off. My car now sits almost exactly like a stock MM. I also threw in some KYB P71 front struts at the same time and it totally transformed my softly sprung Sport. I also upgraded my rear shocks to P71 spec and still run the stock bags. Now the springs and shocks better match the Addco bars.

[Dobs]

I work at a Ford/Lincoln/SVT dealer (Sales Manager) and have my car serviced here only. The guys always check everything over quite well. No leaks on the shocks, no float over bumps, and I've run Mosport (a high-speed, demanding road-course) 3 of the last 4 years, so if there was a problem, it would certainly show up there. I had to replace the axle seals as they finally let go last summer, and replaced the pinion seal yesterday, as it was leaking a bit. I replace the tranny fluid every 50,000km and have only used synthetic from day 1. The DEATC head unit was replaced 2 years ago through my extended warranty, axle seals crapped out at Mosport 2 years ago, I bought a new stereo head unit from one of the guys here last year (works great since I still like my cassettes - no i'pod for me), and drive it year round with snows in winter.
The rear air suspension compressor pooched last week (new one in yesterday) so hopefully nothing else happens for a while. I don't want to let this thing go as I love it. but the trouble with working here is getting my hands on new stuff all the time and seeing just how out of date the Marauder is and there is nothing to replace it with - not yet anyway.

As for the spring, it broke sometime since the last service in late Feb.

I would say Eaton Detroit Spring from JH Restoration in Ontario (http://www.jhresto.com) and if your not afraid to get the suspension a bit firmer for daily use I strongly suggest you to get the 1 1/2 inch drop coils from them if you plan to continue to go at Mosport (very nice track by the way I made it several times when I was racing motorcycle) but if you go that way get 4 new KYB shocks and you will be amazed how this improve the car handling. Otherwise just get the OEM replacement coils, they have quality products.

[lifespeed]

I work at a Ford/Lincoln/SVT dealer (Sales Manager) and have my car serviced here only. The guys always check everything over quite well. No leaks on the shocks, no float over bumps, and I've run Mosport (a high-speed, demanding road-course) 3 of the last 4 years, so if there was a problem, it would certainly show up there . . .

It will show up when you replace the worn out stockers with something better. The A/B comparison really turns on the light bulb.

The stock shocks were OK when new, but shocks do wear out you know. And it rarely shows as an (external) oil leak.

[Marawder]

I have 200k miles on mine, I'm sure they are tired but still function fine.

I seem to be not the only one who is getting long life out of the shocks. Be that as it is, I am ordering a set of coil/shock combos from RockAuto and see how things work out. Reasonably priced and will do what I need as far as daily driver.

I'm hoping to by either a Fox-body or SN95 for road-course duty before the end of the year, so the Merc can do what she does best - get me to work and home in style and take the family out when needed.

Appreciate everyone's input to this topic. Will advise once the install is complete.

[lifespeed]

I have 200k miles on mine, I'm sure they are tired but still function fine.

Let's wait until you replace them, then see what you think.

[ctrlraven]

Let's wait until you replace them, then see what you think.
I'll be replacing the front struts as well if I replace the springs so I'm sure it will be night and day difference. I run 255/45 up front so the ride is already a little hard because of that low profile.

[Marawder]

I'm gonna have to wait a month or two now to do the replacements on the springs.

Since I also needed new tires, I debated the merits of going with the stock BFG's (which I like the feel and look of) versus an alternative and went with a Yokohama Avid Envigor 245/50 up front and 255/55 in back, with each about 1" bigger than stock. Just had them installed today so will see how they are on the way home tonight. It's pouring rain and since my wife also drives the car on occasion regardless of weather (even in winter with the snows on), it biased my decision to go with a less aggressive tire in favour of longer tread life and better all-round capability than the BFG's (plus one size bigger, which not many manufacturers do for this car as you all know).

I know SOMEONE will weigh in on it being a lousy tire - and I don't want to hear about it. It was my decision to buy these and I will live with it. They were also a net $350 less than the BFG's and that was half the cost of my compressor, so that was also part of my decision - not to mention I still have to eventually buy the front spring/shock combo.

Anyway, another reason is that I think I found my track car for next year - a bone stock 96 GT, clean, no rust, decent mileage. Upgrade the brakes, some sticky tires, driveshaft hoop, and a racing bucket and I'm set for the first year. Then do suspension the following year and maybe a 4- or 6-point cage for added measure. I'm not too concerned about outright speed, as I'd rather carve corners, so no power adders. If the engine blows and I need a new one, I'd rather keep in natural.

We'll see what happens over the coming months. Will keep you posted. Thanks again for allowing me to voice and appreciate everyone's comments!:banana2:

[MarauderMedic]

Careful with the P71 springs. I believe they are near the same rate as the MM springs but your front end will be way too high. I used the Moog P71 springs in my Sport with exactly 1 coil cut off. My car now sits almost exactly like a stock MM. I also threw in some KYB P71 front struts at the same time and it totally transformed my softly sprung Sport. I also upgraded my rear shocks to P71 spec and still run the stock bags. Now the springs and shocks better match the Addco bars.

Since the day you posted this, how has your car been riding? I purchased the front springs for my MM and the car sits higher than it used to, been racking my brain and searching the forum for solutions, and have only found yours in the past 6 months. If it's been a viable solution for you, maybe it might work on mine. Did you cut or torch cut the springs?

[danrbarden]

I seem to be not the only one who is getting long life out of the shocks. Be that as it is, I am ordering a set of coil/shock combos from RockAuto and see how things work out. Reasonably priced and will do what I need as far as daily driver.

I'm hoping to by either a Fox-body or SN95 for road-course duty before the end of the year, so the Merc can do what she does best - get me to work and home in style and take the family out when needed.

Appreciate everyone's input to this topic. Will advise once the install is complete.
I hope things work out for you. Just a quick question seeing as you work in a dealership in the service department. Can you use 03 CV police upper/lower front control arms in a Marauder. Is there a difference, are they better?
If so what's the OEM part Numbers if you don't mind me asking.

Danny

[davidshiel]

I work at a Ford/Lincoln/SVT dealer (Sales Manager) and have my car serviced here only. The guys always check everything over quite well. No leaks on the shocks, no float over bumps, and I've run Mosport (a high-speed, demanding road-course) 3 of the last 4 years, so if there was a problem, it would certainly show up there. I had to replace the axle seals as they finally let go last summer, and replaced the pinion seal yesterday, as it was leaking a bit. I replace the tranny fluid every 50,000km and have only used synthetic from day 1. The DEATC head unit was replaced 2 years ago through my extended warranty, axle seals crapped out at Mosport 2 years ago, I bought a new stereo head unit from one of the guys here last year (works great since I still like my cassettes - no i'pod for me), and drive it year round with snows in winter.
The rear air suspension compressor pooched last week (new one in yesterday) so hopefully nothing else happens for a while. I don't want to let this thing go as I love it. but the trouble with working here is getting my hands on new stuff all the time and seeing just how out of date the Marauder is and there is nothing to replace it with - not yet anyway.

As for the spring, it broke sometime since the last service in late Feb.

Take a look at the Chevy SS. Rear wheel drive and a BMW eater. I will keep my MGM til I croak, but the SS has some appeal except it is GM.
Dave