So I have 95k on my basically stock '07 GT/CS and my questions are related to shocks & struts.

• How do you know when they need to be replaced?
• With 95k should ijust change them out anyways as the car handles ok but a little rough on the bumps
• What brand(s) are recommended for spirited driving?
• Anything i need to know prior to looking to replace them if needed

As always thanks for the input

 

To check them, watch this:

There's no need to change them at 95K "just because" if they're otherwise ok. Shocks can fail as soon as 20K miles, or last as long as 120K miles or more, and it's all in what you ask them to do. Stately driving on very smooth roads, minimal real need to work hard... they'll last a lifetime. Drive on potholes every day, ask the things to really take a beating? 20K.

As to whether to replace them 'just because', well, that's totally your call, especially if you're wanting to get better cornering, but then you're really also talking about springs, bushings, swaybars, even different tires (less sidewall=more responsive/less nice riding, as does all that other stuff). If you do just the shocks, you're basically just making the dampening that much stiffer, but the rest of the car's supsension isn't upgraded with it so you don't get that much outta it except a harsher ride, really.

As far as which kinds, well, there's too many brands, much like tires. Everyone has a favorite. There'll be plenty of input in here I'm sure, but just google up results, but keep in mind what I said above.

As far as swapping things out, if you're doing it yourself...
http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=0

Go there, and go to the specific sections. You can read how to do it their way, and modify for your garage scenario. Of course, use caution, and have the right tools and safety equipment.

The rears are relatively straightforward, while the fronts are a little more complicated, due to the installed-on-strut springs which will require a compression tool to remove and attach. Excepting that, they're fairly easy as well.

It might be worth having a decent shop do this for the fronts alone, OR you can buy a pre-assembled strut/spring front and rear combo so you can literally swap it all out without much fuss.

Hope that helps!

 

I'm a big fan of Koni's

 

Thanks as that is a ton of great info. Always can count on Mustangers to provide good info

 

I've heard a lot of good things about Tokico D-Specs, and they are very adjustable from a Cadillac-esq ride to a much better performer.

-Nick C.

 

do the Tokico have a life time warranty?

 

Does Koni, really?
http://www.koni-na.com/warranty.cfm

Basically, only against the product being badly made. As such, yes, Tokico does that as well:
http://www.tokicoperformanceshocks.c...onditions.aspx

Meaning if they wear out like any other shock, oh well, time to replace 'em.

/Although technicalities of 'workmanship' could extend to 'your workmanship should have made them last until the end of time', but that's a little harsh to ask a company to do, when you get right down to it..

 

Steeda has their Pro Action line that has a lifetime warranty manufacturer defects.

http://www.steeda.com/store/steeda-1...ks-struts.html

Best Regards,

TJ

 

If you do go with Koni's plan on waiting a few months for them. They have been back ordered all summer with the 20% sale they ran.

I finally got mine in and had a bad strut out of the box, so now I'm looking at a month or two before I can do my fronts...

 

a) at 95k its time, they were probably in bad shape as early as 60k.

b) Yes change them, dampers like tires wear out gradually over time so the loss in performance isn't readily noticeable.

c) I've only ever messed with Tokico (aka FRPP) and Koni but that latter really impresses me, especially at the price point I got the Koni SRTs for.

d) Are you going to do the work yourself? If so, get access to a really good spring compressor and an electric or pneumatic impact, this will probably save you two hours worth of work and if you have access to a lift it makes the job even better.

Figure in the driveway with two jack stands and nothing but hand tools it will be about a 4 hour job.

And be careful with the upper strut mounts when removing them from the spring as the lower part of the mount can stick with the springs separating the mount where it rotates sending ball bearings flying everywhere. The trick I've found to avoiding this is to mostly compress the spring then let it pop the mount loose (nothing crazing, just about an 1/8th inch of travel left in the spring) as you undo the upper strut nut.

 

We have multiple sets of koni STR.T's in stock. Love them and their customer service is great and one of the only companies that truly offers a lifetime warranty.

 

I have Koni STR.Ts, Steeda Sport springs and sprung for the Steeda HD strut mounts. It made sense to do all at the same time. I've been very happy, a little stiffer than stock but it really leveled the car out which I was looking for. I do not like the jacked up rear look from the factory.

I need sway bars now and I'm thinking of staying with Steeda.

 

Wish I had ordered them from you then! I could have had them installed in time for Mustang Week...

 

getting the Steeda pro Action Shocks & Struts as well as J&M LCA installed by a buddy tomorrow and i just put on a set of Michelin Pilot A/s so cant wait to drive it !!!

 

Hi everyone! New to this user group, I'm in need of some shock/strut advice. I just took delivery of a 2014 GT Track Pack to replace a 2012 V-6 Performance Pack at 60k miles and would like to swap shocks from the '14 to the '12 when installing new Koni's in the '14. Can any of you confirm this swap will work? Thanks in advance! Tim