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  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

Shocks and Suspension recommendations.

  • Thread starter Thread starter walter
  • Start date Start date Aug 10, 2008
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walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
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46
Houston TX
Aug 10, 2008
#1
  • Aug 10, 2008
  • #1
I think my rear shocks about had it with being driven on lowered springs everything clunks and rumbles about back there going over small bumps and sounds like a bomb going off over the big stuff.

I had the thing checked out and everything is tight so...

I think it's time to even the car out by lowering the front too and slapping on some good shocks. I like what Roush does with their cars and the handling, however I'm not against trying something different. Should I keep Roush socks with the matching springs or should go with the ubiquitous D-specs everyone raves about?


Also I'm in the market for a rear swaybar, something cheap and good. BMR and the Steeda setup are preferred with their thick diameter and sturdy endlinks. BMR edges out in price right now. (the front will come later as it's not a necessary item perhaps I'll firm up the bushings and mounts but that's about it).

What do you guys think?
 
L

Lenster

New Member
Jun 19, 2007
1
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New York, NY
Aug 11, 2008
#2
  • Aug 11, 2008
  • #2
I recently installed the Koni Sport Struts/Shocks and the BMR rear sway bar on my Mustang. Both mods significantly improved the ride and handling on my vehicle. Very happy with these mods.
 
K

kenaimone

Member
Jun 8, 2004
85
0
6
Aug 11, 2008
#3
  • Aug 11, 2008
  • #3
i am a huge fan of the D-specs. as far as suspension there are a ton of opinions out there. but i would stick with one company. many guys have luck mixing and matching, but i use only steeda and love it. good luck.
 
O

Oettinger

New Member
Aug 27, 2003
10
0
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Toronto, Ontario Canada
Aug 13, 2008
#4
  • Aug 13, 2008
  • #4
Koni Yellow is my choice. I am just about to lower my car now and I am shopping it around and D specs seem to blow fairly easily from what I am reading on the forums.
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Aug 13, 2008
#5
  • Aug 13, 2008
  • #5
^^^ Any shock that has an adjustable dampening feature will be more likely to blow because of the added stress/leak points caused by the adjuster.

It's starting to sound like I'll be going Roush unless someone manages to talk me out of those.
I would love to be able to buy the Red Roush shocks but it appears they only come in a package.
 

V8JamesGT

Member
Jan 22, 2006
218
3
18
Aug 13, 2008
#6
  • Aug 13, 2008
  • #6
When I upgrade my shocks/struts, I think I'm going with the Tokico HPs. They are similar to the D-Specs but not adjustable.
 
J

jack1.1

Member
Feb 13, 2007
78
1
8
St. Louis, Missouri
Sep 5, 2008
#7
  • Sep 5, 2008
  • #7
roush suspension installed here - very safe and stable, besides for handling like a dream
 
M

masterquiles

New Member
Feb 2, 2008
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CT
Nov 10, 2008
#8
  • Nov 10, 2008
  • #8
question on this. I just installed Eibach pro kits and the car is boucing in the highway. The Tokico HPS will help on that?
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
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46
Houston TX
Nov 10, 2008
#9
  • Nov 10, 2008
  • #9
They should. You need something that's valved accurately for a lowered spring profile or the stock shocks will give out and not work.
 

Sparty92

Member
Jul 30, 2007
430
5
19
Detroit Burbs
Nov 15, 2008
#10
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #10
jack1.1 said:
roush suspension installed here - very safe and stable, besides for handling like a dream
Click to expand...

Which setup did you go with? I was thinking about the Stage 3 for my car. What can you tell us about your setup?


Thanks.
 

SlideWRX

Member
Jan 8, 2007
126
1
16
Westland, MI
Nov 15, 2008
#11
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #11
walter said:
^^^ Any shock that has an adjustable dampening feature will be more likely to blow because of the added stress/leak points caused by the adjuster.
Click to expand...

Both the D-specs & Koni are adjustable. I know Konis have a lifetime warranty. Technically they may be more likely to blow, but unless you are doing rally/stunt driving, this won't be an issue.
 

jlisle01

New Member
Dec 29, 2004
250
1
0
McAlester,OK
Nov 15, 2008
#12
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #12
unless you are into racing on a track and you will actually adjust the shocks, I'd just stick to the fixed ones. Let's face it, most people are not going to stop every time they see a twisty stretch of road to adjust the dampers. You'll set 'em where you think they work the best and leave 'em there. Why spend the extra coin and guess at a setting when you can have a Roush tested setup? Oh, and +1 for sticking to one manufacturer.
 
B

BLKNED

Member
Jan 27, 2008
67
1
9
Nov 15, 2008
#13
  • Nov 15, 2008
  • #13
jlisle01 said:
unless you are into racing on a track and you will actually adjust the shocks, I'd just stick to the fixed ones. Let's face it, most people are not going to stop every time they see a twisty stretch of road to adjust the dampers. You'll set 'em where you think they work the best and leave 'em there. Why spend the extra coin and guess at a setting when you can have a Roush tested setup? Oh, and +1 for sticking to one manufacturer.
Click to expand...

That is my thoughts exactly on adjustable shocks. I can tell you if I bought adjustables that is exacly what would happen. I just bought the FRPP K springs and think I will go with the Tokico HP's.
 

gashog

Member
Dec 26, 2006
139
0
16
Fresno, CA
Nov 18, 2008
#14
  • Nov 18, 2008
  • #14
masterquiles said:
question on this. I just installed Eibach pro kits and the car is boucing in the highway. The Tokico HPS will help on that?
Click to expand...

Chiming in because I have the HPs installed.

They are firm but not floaty, i'd totally recommend them however when i talked to the guys at Tokico about it they said to stay away from anything lower than 1.5" (which is why I went with the ford springs). The Prokit is the same thing if i'm not mistaken.
 
B

bluelightning

New Member
May 30, 2008
15
0
0
orlando
Dec 29, 2008
#15
  • Dec 29, 2008
  • #15
I just recently installed Tokico hp series shocks on my 02 GT wich is 1 1/4 inch lower than stock and they raised the car up more than a 1/4 inch,will they settle down because if they don't I will probably get rid of them .I liked the way my car was sitting before I put on the Tokico's.
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Dec 29, 2008
#16
  • Dec 29, 2008
  • #16
I ended up getting the Roush Shocks. You should get nothing but positive results when you get shocks that have been engineered and valved to work with a particular set of springs. So far I'm enjoying the results even if it's just in the rear of the car.
 

V8JamesGT

Member
Jan 22, 2006
218
3
18
Dec 29, 2008
#17
  • Dec 29, 2008
  • #17
How much did those Roush shocks cost?
 

walter

Founding Member
Aug 13, 1998
1,054
0
46
Houston TX
Dec 29, 2008
#18
  • Dec 29, 2008
  • #18
179 for the rears.
 
B

Blister55

New Member
Dec 1, 2008
3
0
1
Dec 29, 2008
#19
  • Dec 29, 2008
  • #19
Suspension Mods

I don't know if this is bad form to post from another board, but I kept this bookmarked for when I get the dough for suspension. There is some garbage in this thread that I am linking to, but the good post is the long one down a little ways.

Recently installed FRPP spring lowering kit - Page 2 - Ford Mustang Forums
 
0

07 Boss

New Member
Sep 29, 2008
41
0
0
Las Vegas, NV
Dec 30, 2008
#20
  • Dec 30, 2008
  • #20
I've got all my suspension parts in except for the shocks. I Have been researching different setups and are actually leaning toward Bilsteins. They have a system of valving discs that automatically adjust dampening rates to the load put on the shock. They claim it's the best of both worlds; riding pretty soft during everyday cruising and then stiffening up when you push the envelope. I would actually like some shocks that I coule raise the ride height in the rear when I wanted to run a large slick at the track but without going to an expensive coil-over rear set up.
 
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