Gen 1 LS V8 Springs for shocks/struts

The bellows should be part of the upper mount... And as Joe suggested... new nyloc nuts for the upper mount.

WARNING. If you have never replaced shocks/struts with a " captive " spring... Let a shop swap the parts. The spring under compression has enough force to launch through walls and cause serious injury or death!!!

The cheap acme thread spring compressors do work... But you really have to pay attention to what you are doing. The threads should be greased... And you have to draw both sides down evenly. The rods will.bow... and if too much they will snap. The safety U-bolt retainers MUST be used!!!

DO NOT go to the lps and rent them... Because you never know how much they have been used... Or how the idiot before you abused them.
 
DaleGrib said:
and trying to stop the squeaking a little bit
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The squeaking points more to a failed rear lower control arm bushing. I hate to say this... But you are more than likely starting down the long road of a suspension rebuild.

It usually starts with the drivers rear lower control arm... Then the upper arm, which might also be bad already.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
The squeaking points more to a failed rear lower control arm bushing. I hate to say this... But you are more than likely starting down the long road of a suspension rebuild.

It usually starts with the drivers rear lower control arm... Then the upper arm, which might also be bad already.
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I am already replacing the suspension parts. I already have my lower ones just waiting now on the upper rear ones which will arrive tomorrow. Was just going to go ahead and replace the shocks as well so I know I am done with the rear for a while at least. I have to drop my gas tank so I was gonna get all of this replaced at the same time that gas tank is dropped and reinstalled.
 
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Sound like you have the right plan. Do it all at once... And be done with it.

You might want to take a close look at your rear toe links, ( some people mistakenly call them tie rods... Including some parts stores ). Also the sway bar links. Plus... After everything is replaced... You're , < ( Joe :D ), probably going to want to do an alignment.

And don't be surprised if the vehicle seems a bit nose heavy around turns after the rear rebuild.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
Good man ! You've been doing some reading on here... Haven't you?
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Yep plus a little common sense goes a long way. I had seen how bad the bushings looked so I knew it was time.
04_Sport_LS said:
Sound like you have the right plan. Do it all at once... And be done with it.

You might want to take a close look at your rear toe links, ( some people mistakenly call them tie rods... Including some parts stores ). Also the sway bar links. Plus... After everything is replaced... You're , < ( Joe :D ), probably going to want to do an alignment.

And don't be surprised if the vehicle seems a bit nose heavy around turns after the rear rebuild.
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I am replacing all of that already. I already have the 2 new lower rear control arms, 2 toe links and new bushings for them and the sway bars for the rear. I am waiting on the 2 upper rear control arms and full set of rotors and brake pads. The only thing I am not sure about is the upper control arms that I purchased I got Moogs for a S-type for the rear upper and hoping they will work. All parts with the exception of the toe bar are moog and the toe bars are Delphi. And I honestly doubt my shocks are bad but hell at 125K on the mileage to me it's not a bad thing to replace before it gives problems.
 
The S-Type uppers should be the same. The Ford ones I got said Jaguar right on them.

I'd say at 125k the shocks are due. You will probably be " shocked " :D how much better it rides.

Last thought... Take a good close look at the bottom tail on the rear springs to make sure they aren't cracked or bent. Otherwise your project will come to a screeching halt while you wait for S-Type springs to ship from a Jag dealer.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
The S-Type uppers should be the same. The Ford ones I got said Jaguar right on them.

I'd say at 125k the shocks are due. You will probably be " shocked " :D how much better it rides.

Last thought... Take a good close look at the bottom tail on the rear springs to make sure they aren't cracked or bent. Otherwise your project will come to a screeching halt while you wait for S-Type springs to ship from a Jag dealer.
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Everything looked good to my eyes didn't see any cracking and I jacked it up so hopefully my eyes have not failed me.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
Those shocks seem to get good reviews on other vehicles. Not sure about the LS. Keep in mind they are twin tube... Which is a softer ride than a monotube shock. Might make a difference in ride quality if you have a sport version of the LS.

For reference... The Bilstein B4's are twin tube... And the B6's are monotube.

I just installed KYB Mono Max on my 95 F150 4x4 and they seem pretty decent. Time will tell.
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I think amazon has the wrong info I don't see where KYB makes anything for the LS on their site. So if I can't find OEM shocks for it what aftermarket brand should I go with. GABRIEL or MONROE
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=515021&cc=1432279&jsn=12084
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=1384065&cc=1373903&jsn=12095
 
04_Sport_LS said:
Nooooo... Not them! Rock Auto showed some Excell G available.... But not all of them.

Let me dig around a bit.
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I am also having a tough time finding the bellows that I am missing. Does not seem like these are made any longer.
 
Yup... Only the Excell G available now.

341655 front
341656 rear

Verify fitment years

Sachs used to make decent shocks for the LS... But it seems they stopped. Seems alot of the good aftermarket parts are drying up.

Go figure... But what else can someone expect for a bastard version of an S-Type that only 250k vehicles were made

Parts geek lists Motorcraft shocks in stock
... But I would call and verify. Never done business with them... So can't verify them.


There's always the Bilstein Jag option. The rears are direct swap on the LS. The issues start when you have to get Jag front springs ... and used rear LS isolators from a boneyard.

It all depends on how deep you want... Or are willing to go.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
Yup... Only the Excell G available now.

341655 front
341656 rear

Verify fitment years

Sachs used to make decent shocks for the LS... But it seems they stopped. Seems alot of the good aftermarket parts are drying up.

Go figure... But what else can someone expect for a bastard version of an S-Type that only 250k vehicles were made

Parts geek lists Motorcraft shocks in stock
... But I would call and verify. Never done business with them... So can't verify them.


There's always the Bilstein Jag option. The rears are direct swap on the LS. The issues start when you have to get Jag front springs ... and used rear LS isolators from a boneyard.

It all depends on how deep you want... Or are willing to go.
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Are you 100% sure the excel work on the LS though? Cause I had checked on their site and they did not have any parts for the 2001 LS and Parts Geek also oly had the front not the rear ones. The only OEM rear in stock with enough in stock to do both is rockauto with oem standard steering not performance.
Edit: I see that these show up under a 2005 LS so that clears that up so they should work.
 
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DaleGrib said:
am also having a tough time finding the bellows that I am missing. Does not seem like these are made any longer.
Click to expand...

They are part of the upper mount assembly. Rock Auto shows pics for the front ones... But no listings for the rear. If you can get the part # from the dealer... You can do a parts search on RA. Many times when they don't list parts, they will show up in the parts search... But you have to know the exact part #.
 
DaleGrib said:
Are you 100% sure the excel work on the LS though? Cause I had checked on their site and they did not have any parts for the 2001 LS
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You are correct. I went default mode and searched for Gen 2. No Gen 1 shocks listed.

Boy... Parts really are drying up.

As far as parts geek... I did see a listing for fronts and rears for non Sport model. Not sure about Sport model. Best you could do is to call or e-mail... And verify.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
You are correct. I went default mode and searched for Gen 2. No Gen 1 shocks listed.

Boy... Parts really are drying up.

As far as parts geek... I did see a listing for fronts and rears for non Sport model. Not sure about Sport model. Best you could do is to call or e-mail... And verify.
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I went ahead and got the Excel ones they should work on the Gen 1 still right? I think thats been covered here but I am still in the window of time I could cancel my order if needed. And yeah it's sad that the parts are drying up. I would have went with OEM had they had 2 in stock but if this is the best I can do without Jaguar Springs then I guess it has to be this way. If I don't like the way it handles after the install I will just have to deal with it till I can order the correct jaguar parts to do the conversion. Thanks for all your help! Now the only other thing I did not realize it was not moog till I got them was the Sway bar links for the rear I apparently had the wrong set in my cart and ended up with https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07261TV41/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
So should I send them back and get the Moog ones instead? I guess one positive aspect of the ones I got is they have a grease fitting on them. But not sure if the brand is junk or not. If it's worth a risk I won't bother with sending them back but if it's junk I will send them back and get Moog instead or OEM if I can still find it.
 
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No problem.

One last thought. I would think that the non Sport Motorcraft would still be a far cry better than any current Monroe, Gabriel... Or the like.

Double check parts geek. I could swear I saw 2 available for both front and rear... But since that stock is almost dried up too... I would contact and verify.
 
04_Sport_LS said:
No problem.

One last thought. I would think that the non Sport Motorcraft would still be a far cry better than any current Monroe, Gabriel... Or the like.

Double check parts geek. I could swear I saw 2 available for both front and rear... But since that stock is almost dried up too... I would contact and verify.
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So your saying the OEM standard would be better than the ones I just ordered? And I did double check all it showed for 2 in stock at PG is the front ones.( I even called them ) If your saying the standard would be better than any aftermarket brand like that I will go ahead and grab the standard ones at least they won't be complete junk.
 
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Well... I found the fronts again...

01 2001 Lincoln LS Shock Absorber - Suspension - Motorcraft, Front - PartsGeek

Now if I could just find the rears. This time the listing looks different than the first time.

First time it listed both KYB and Motorcraft only. Second time I got a bunch of other brands.

Stupid smart phones... Always trying to tailor your searched by what they THINK you want!!!
 
04_Sport_LS said:
Well... I found the fronts again...

01 2001 Lincoln LS Shock Absorber - Suspension - Motorcraft, Front - PartsGeek

Now if I could just find the rears. This time the listing looks different than the first time.

First time it listed both KYB and Motorcraft only. Second time I got a bunch of other brands.

Stupid smart phones... Always trying to tailor your searched by what they THINK you want!!!
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I will go ahead and get the standard ones then at least I know they will last vs the cheap aftermarket crap. I was able to cancel my other order so no hassle of having to return the other ones.
Also would this work for the billows or are they bigger?
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=7181528&cc=1373903&jsn=426
 
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04_Sport_LS said:
HERE:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/lincoln,2001,ls,3.9l+v8,1373903,suspension,shock+absorber,7556

This would get you 3

As far as the bellows... Yes that is the part, but I don't kknow if the Moog will fit the oem bearing plate. Not sure if there is any difference between the front and rear plates. I don't think so but I dont remember if I checked.

As a last resort... Some parts are still available through the dealer... And if you ask nicely they usually give a discount.
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I already ordered the standard ones on Rock Auto because they only had 1 of the performance. Also Moog on their site lists it as the front and rear for the LS 2001 so I think I will be all set now with that! Does anyone know if the strut mounts typically come with the nuts. I got this Moog set and I can't tell if thats nuts or not
Federal-Mogul Motorparts
I got them off amazon with the same model number so was hoping someone might know for sure!
And @04_Sport_LS thanks again.
 
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AmsterDutch said:
NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Don’t do it!!!! I put Monroe in my 1st Gen and it was worse than my original 17 year old MotorCraft ....Worse mistake I ever did on that car...besides selling her
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I went with the Standard Motorcraft shocks cause the correct performance ones there is not enough in stock at any store currently to do both left and right on the rear. I got them shipped for $108 which is not horrible being that it's OEM.
 
DaleGrib said:
I went with the Standard Motorcraft shocks cause the correct performance ones there is not enough in stock at any store currently to do both left and right on the rear. I got them shipped for $108 which is not horrible being that it's OEM.
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Good to hear ....my suspension went to mooosh ...it felt like a 1976 Chevy Impala ...just way to soft for this suspension
 
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