Coil over shock issues

[izzy]

So was doing some front end work today: upper control arms, stabilizer links, steering knuckles, outer tie rods, rotors, brake pads and shocks BOTH sides. Freaking shocks. Hate the freaking shocks. Taking the spring off the first one was not a problem. But we can't get the coil compressed enough in order to get the shaft up through the top mount. MONSTER coil springs. Took them to Napa. They don't doooooo tear down and rebuild. Pep boys tried but couldn't compress the spring enough either. Why is this so difficult? WTF. Shocks from rockauto.com. Monroe sensatrac part#: 71344. Using rented compression kit from advance auto.

2000 LSE V8

Any advice would be helpful.
It's sitting in the middle of my friends driveway. Should I just get the quick struts from strutmasters?
http://www.strutmasters.com/Lincoln-LS-Suspension-Replacement-Kit-p/fd1fb.htm

 

[LS4me]

So was doing some front end work today: upper control arms, stabilizer links, steering knuckles, outer tie rods, rotors, brake pads and shocks BOTH sides. Freaking shocks. Hate the freaking shocks. Taking the spring off the first one was not a problem. But we can't get the coil compressed enough in order to get the shaft up through the top mount. MONSTER coil springs. Took them to Napa. They don't doooooo tear down and rebuild. Pep boys tried but couldn't compress the spring enough either. Why is this so difficult? WTF. Shocks from rockauto.com. Monroe sensatrac part#: 71344. Using rented compression kit from advance auto.

2000 LSE V8

Any advice would be helpful.
It's sitting in the middle of my friends driveway. Should I just get the quick struts from strutmasters?
http://www.strutmasters.com/Lincoln-LS-Suspension-Replacement-Kit-p/fd1fb.htm

There aren't any "quick struts" as the LS uses shocks; as you noted in the title. If you check your link you will notice that is an air to normal suspension conversion. The LS NEVER had an air suspension. IMHO your problem is the Monroe SensaCraps. They are a totally inferior shock; in all respects. Have you tried a real suspension shop? R&R the springs isn't rocket science......

 

[1LoudLS]

VR4 = :burnout: :steering

 

[izzy]

There aren't any "quick struts" as the LS uses shocks; as you noted in the title. If you check your link you will notice that is an air to normal suspension conversion. The LS NEVER had an air suspension. IMHO your problem is the Monroe SensaCraps. They are a totally inferior shock; in all respects. Have you tried a real suspension shop? R&R the springs isn't rocket science......

K. So the Monroe shocks shaft sits at the same height as the original shock that came out of the assembly. There is no difference in size at all.

No have not tried a suspension shop. It was 4:30-5 pm yesterday when we got to the R&R of the shock assembly.

I understand that the LS never had an air suspension. Will they not fit the vehicle? Have you had experience with strut masters products and the LS?

 

[Wicked Ace]

K. So the Monroe shocks shaft sits at the same height as the original shock that came out of the assembly. There is no difference in size at all.

No have not tried a suspension shop. It was 4:30-5 pm yesterday when we got to the R&R of the shock assembly.

I understand that the LS never had an air suspension. Will they not fit the vehicle? Have you had experience with strut masters products and the LS?

I previously had Sensatrac shocks on my car. As noted above they are crap. The front control/ ride wasn't awful but the rear has no damping or rebound. The worn shock I took out rode better. In fact I credit my rear suspension linkage parts early wear to those shocks.
That being said I found the drivers side was a chore but I was able to get it. The passenger side was a struggle as there does not seem to be as much room to maneuver. Disconnect the sway bar and steering linkage to give yourself room. I used the Advance Auto compression tool as well. I put it as far out as I could, I had to try a few times to place it, then cranked it up so there was no gap in the spring at all. Once I had the bolts started in the tower I connected the lower control arm and used it to compress the spring and catch the bottom bolts.
Do yourself a favor and try some different shocks, might just end up doing it all again sooner than you think. I know the sport shocks are out of production. KYB makes a shock to fit but there has been no real feedback on them of late. Maybe check in with the T-Bird guys, they seem to be more proactive in keeping their rides going.

 

[RigsLS]

... The front control/ ride wasn't awful but the rear has no damping or rebound ...

Kinda odd, I recently replaced my Sports shocks with OEM and along with the Eibach lowering springs, I have next to nothing for rebound on the rears, "as it should per design".

... the sport shocks are out of production ...

Hmmm!?!? Not so sure about that, I had the local dealer source by VIN.


2X Front Shock Absorbers // 18124 (AST-25)
'00-'02 V8 Front "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24464 or BU2Z-18V124-R or 1W4Z-18124-DA or AST25
1W43-18045-DA AST25 Shock Absorber FRONT COLOR CODE GREEN - w/PERF SUSP

2X Rear Shock Absorbers // 18125 (AT-704-G)
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24468 or BU2Z-18V125-U or XW4Z-18125-BA or AT704G
1W43-18080-BA AT704G Shock Absorber REAR COLOR CODE PURPLE - w/PERF SUSP



'00-'02 V8 Front "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: Inactive; no longer made
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: ASHV862 or 5U2Z-18V125-VA

 

[izzy]

I previously had Sensatrac shocks on my car. As noted above they are crap. The front control/ ride wasn't awful but the rear has no damping or rebound. The worn shock I took out rode better. In fact I credit my rear suspension linkage parts early wear to those shocks.
That being said I found the drivers side was a chore but I was able to get it. The passenger side was a struggle as there does not seem to be as much room to maneuver. Disconnect the sway bar and steering linkage to give yourself room. I used the Advance Auto compression tool as well. I put it as far out as I could, I had to try a few times to place it, then cranked it up so there was no gap in the spring at all. Once I had the bolts started in the tower I connected the lower control arm and used it to compress the spring and catch the bottom bolts.
Do yourself a favor and try some different shocks, might just end up doing it all again sooner than you think. I know the sport shocks are out of production. KYB makes a shock to fit but there has been no real feedback on them of late. Maybe check in with the T-Bird guys, they seem to be more proactive in keeping their rides going.

We have everything pulled out. The only thing that is currently left on the LS, on both sides, is the lower control arm and the inner tie rod. Everything else has been pulled and the coil over shock assembly has already been pulled out.

The friend who is helping me is taking them to a guy he knows that has a shop. Once they get put back together, when they need to get replaced in the future, I will be taking it to a shop and dropping it off. NEVER EVER AGAIN with these freaking Frankenstein coils EVER EVER AGAIN.

 

[RigsLS]

Yup,

2X Front Shock Absorbers // 18124 (AST-25)
'00-'02 V8 Front "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24464 or BU2Z-18V124-R or 1W4Z-18124-DA or AST25
1W43-18045-DA // AST25 // Shock Absorber FRONT COLOR CODE GREEN - w/PERF SUSP

2X Rear Shock Absorbers // 18125 (AT-704-G)
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24468 or BU2Z-18V125-U or XW4Z-18125-BA or AT704G
1W43-18080-BA // AT704G // Shock Absorber REAR COLOR CODE PURPLE - w/PERF SUSP

'00-'02 V8 Front "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: Inactive; no longer made
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: ASHV862 or 5U2Z-18V125-VA

try searching: ASH24464 & ASH24468

^ plentiful all over, currently Rockauto.com $96 each, for the front Sports.​

 

[izzy]

^ plentiful all over, currently Rockauto.com $96 each, for the front Sports.​

If the shop he is taking the assemblies to today can't take care of this ish, I think I'm just going to order the full assemblies from strutmasters. I know they say they are a conversion kit from air suspension, but why would they list this assembly and it not fit the vehicle it is listed for? These springs are ridiculous.

 

[RigsLS]

Glwr

 

[izzy]

Glwr

HAHA. Thanks. Just got a text his friend was able to get the new shocks loaded in the springs and they are back on the LS. on my way over now to finish up. Thanks for all the responses!

 

[Wicked Ace]

Kinda odd, I recently replaced my Sports shocks with OEM and along with the Eibach lowering springs, I have next to nothing for rebound on the rears, "as it should per design".

My point was there being no damping either way it was like riding a pogo stick.

Hmmm!?!? Not so sure about that, I had the local dealer source by VIN.


2X Front Shock Absorbers // 18124 (AST-25)
'00-'02 V8 Front "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24464 or BU2Z-18V124-R or 1W4Z-18124-DA or AST25
1W43-18045-DA AST25 Shock Absorber FRONT COLOR CODE GREEN - w/PERF SUSP

2X Rear Shock Absorbers // 18125 (AT-704-G)
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Special" (Sport) Shocks: ASH24468 or BU2Z-18V125-U or XW4Z-18125-BA or AT704G
1W43-18080-BA AT704G Shock Absorber REAR COLOR CODE PURPLE - w/PERF SUSP



'00-'02 V8 Front "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: Inactive; no longer made
'00-'02 V8 Rear "Performance" (Euro) Shocks: ASHV862 or 5U2Z-18V125-VA

I replaced all of mine 14 months ago and found a shortage across the board, the rears being very difficult to find. I have a Gen II car. Also because the vendors knew they were in short supply jacked their prices above msrp. After i did mine there were several threads in the next couple months addressing this. Upstairs Chris had a lengthy one.
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?90518-Shocks&highlight=chris+shocks
Even the T-Bird guys were scrambling.

Since I'm not in the market these days things may have changed. Cheers

 

[Wicked Ace]

Good deal Izzy!

 

[LS4me]

If the shop he is taking the assemblies to today can't take care of this ish, I think I'm just going to order the full assemblies from strutmasters. I know they say they are a conversion kit from air suspension, but why would they list this assembly and it not fit the vehicle it is listed for? These springs are ridiculous.

The fact they don't know the LS doesn't have an air-ride makes me question their knowledge; and therefore their product.

 

[izzy]

The fact they don't know the LS doesn't have an air-ride makes me question their knowledge; and therefore their product.

The general consensus that I keep seeing, here on LVC, is that eibach springs are like the holy masturbatory grail of springs. Since strut masters uses these springs in their setups, I would assume they would use quality parts in the rest of the assembly. Who knows. Every single one of their assemblies is described as a replacement for air ride systems. Maybe it's just an issue with the people they have in their marketing department or internet department.

I'm glad we were able to find someone to get the coils over the shocks and back in the car. I am not impressed by the red springs and boots that strutmasters use for 00-01. They use black springs and boots for 02-06. WTF?

IN OTHER NEWS: I should be getting my new double din radio this week. WOOHOO! I'm not going anywhere near the installation on that thing. LOL

 

[1LoudLS]

The general consensus that I keep seeing, here on LVC, is that eibach springs are like the holy masturbatory grail of springs.

well its not because they are the best spring ever created... its really that they are about the ONLY non OEM spring you can get. a while ago, there were a couple of lowering springs to choose from, but I don't believe any other companies still do


I think you would now say that the Stance adjustable coilovers are the holy grail...