Suspension questions...

[Beavspapa]

Hey guys, I have a 2003 ZTS. Friday it started making a horrible clunking in the front end. Jacked er up and it appears that the coil is busted and when I turn it is binding, hence the clunking. The way I see it I have three main options:

A) Buy a new coil and replace the bad one- $34+tx (North Country tomorrow)
B) Buy Monroe Quick-Struts both sides- $262+tx (O'Reilly day after tomorrow)
C) SVT Suspension kit fully assembled- approximately $400 shipped (Mike on Focus Fanatics, probably not til next week or more)

Granted, there are a thousand more options, (FRPP one of them) just some quick ones I came up with. I'd like to keep it on the cheaper side, not really looking for a performance upgrade, but I'm already gonna have it apart. Just looking for some advice. Thanks!!!!!!!

[frankjt96]

Bag it.

[FocusMech.73155]

A) Buy a new coil and replace the bad one- $34+tx (North Country tomorrow)

don't replace just one coil. if you are going to go the inexpensive route, you will want to replace both of the coils. over time springs start to sag and if you replace just one, that will screw up your cross camber (potentially causing a pull and uneven tire wear). I personally would recommend the FRPP. I have it and I love it. I think total i paid 350 or something around that. No matter what I would definately recommend replacing at least both front coils

[Beavspapa]

Thanks for the advice FocusMech. I like the sound of the FRPP, but I don't know if I want to go that much lower. Where did you buy your kit, what all did it include, and did it come pre-assembled? Thanks again!

[Redlineracer12]

(Mike on Focus Fanatics, probably not til next week or more)

Where are you from? Can't you get them from Steve?

[CleanZX3]

(Mike on Focus Fanatics, probably not til next week or more)

Where are you from? Can't you get them from Steve?

Looks like he's new, and brainwashed from FocusFanatics.

Beavspapa- Steve(Tousley Ford) Can get you a svt, or frpp kit for a super good price. No shipping. Its in White Bear Lake.

See thread: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=474

[Beavspapa]

I'm from Forest Lake so I could get them from Steve for sure if they're the right price. Would the kit come assembled? It would save some time and I would like to replace the upper mounts anyway. Just call and ask for Steve? Is there a secret password or handshake or something?

[Steve@Tasca]

No secret handshake, just call and ask for me.

The SVT suspension is $247.50 and I normally have a few on hand but they are currently backordered at Ford Racing.

Theres also a kit that has the SVT suspension minus the rear bar but the fronts are preassembled for $286.00 and I believe I have one left.

The third option I'd need a VIN for but you may be covered by a recall on the front springs although your car may be too new to have that coverage.

[Beavspapa]

You Da Man Steve! Thanks for chimin' in! Your help (as well as the other guys on this forum!) is greatly appreciated! My wife called North Country to ask them about the possibility of being covered by the recall and they said no. Besides I've already talked the wife into $300 worth of suspension parts, shhhhhh.... or else I'd have you double check it for me. Ford wouldn't give me the recall money towards parts in your store would they? I like the sounds of the pre-assembled kit, just throw the old assemblies in the pile llike they do on the TV shows! Do you think the rear bar makes that much difference? I have the ZTS if that makes a difference. If I bought the bearings seperate it would cost me more than the assembled units right? Thanks in advance Steve!

[Patalrob]

Steve is great to deal with Beavspapa.

I should know he takes my money all the time

[Beavspapa]

LOL That's a sweet picture with the lift bridge in the backround!

[Beavspapa]

Well that settles it, I'm buyin the pre-assembled SVT kit from Steve. Thanks for the input and the suggestions fellas! I'll let ya know how it goes. Installin' it tomorrow! Later, Beavspapa-

[MNiceGuy]

I bought the same kit from Steve and I personally think it's an unbeatable deal. The struts literally come ready to bolt up.

[Beavspapa]

It definately is an unbeatable deal! I would've spent $260 plus tax on just the front alone for Monroe quick-struts. Upgraded all four corners to SVT plus got the sway bar end links for $344 with tax! That's a steal! Thanks Steve!

[Beavspapa]

Well I wrestled er in yesterday. Took longer than expected, but what do ya do. I started with the rear figuring there were less parts and less bolts to break loose so it should be easier right? Well I effed with the LCA bolts for a couple of hours. I tried a 3/8" breaker bar (almost busted that), heat, PB Blaster, brute force, a couple hammer blows, a 1/2" impact wrench, and a 1/2" ratchet with a 2 foot long 3/16" walled cheater bar. I managed to break two sockets, round out another one, and spread apart the trailing arm, where the LCA connects to it, from 2" to 3 1/4". FUUUU<<<<<KKKKKK!!! Then I tried to get the upper bolt out but realized it's an eccentric for the rear alignment, didn't want to go there. So I gave up on the LCA bolts and went and got an internal coil compressor from O'Reilly (pictured on the right) and tried for a while to use that. Part of the problem with the O'reilly one is that the threaded part is way too long even with a 3" spacer.. On top of the fact that the top and bottom "fingers" of the compressor are practically touching together on the threaded shaft before the spring begins to compress. Hence no compression. Gave up on that. Someone on FF mentioned that they used one from Autozone (pictured on the left), so I went and got that one. That one uses a flat part on the bottom which allows the two parts to start farther apart on the threaded rod giving it more travel to compress. But it is still too long for the Focus coils requiring the use of a spacer anyway. (A 4” piece of ¾” ID thick walled pipe works well as a spacer. Go to Menards and buy a ¾” ID 4” nipple in the plumbing department. Use the supplied washer on top of it. ) But it worked! When reinstalling the new coils, there’s a rubber sleeve toward one end of the coil. Per the phone call to Steve, he looked it up and it goes toward the top. Also it helps to tape the top rubber mounting donut to the spring to save a headache or two. I buttoned the rear back up and prepared myself for the front. All this time I was thinking the front was going to be worse but I couldn't have been farther off. I left the top nuts on, popped the bottom out of the pinch bolt, disconnected the lines and end link, took the nuts off the top, and out she came. No problem! Took er out for a spin and all seems fine. Once she settles a little, I’ll have er aligned and report back as to handling and stance improvement. All in all it went OK. Wish I would’ve had the right tools to begin with. Thanks to Steve for the deal on the kit and for the help on the phone! Cya, Beavspapa-