Shocks - What is Ford doing?

[WINSTON]

I talked to Max today to order some sport shocks, front and rear.

For the front shocks, they are called Standard (Base), Special (Sport), and Performance (Euro). Thanks to LS Koncepts for having the part numbers, I was able to straigten it out and make sure I order the sports.

For the rears, Max was saying that the part number is the same for the sports and Euros. Both are 5U2Z-18V125-VA.

Luckily, Max looked up the "old" rear shock sport model, XW4Z-18125-BA and was able to find some and I ordered those.

Anyone know why Ford did this - making the sport/Euro rear shock the same? I would think that they would have different specs, the euros being significantly stiffer.

From everyone opinion on this forum, the best ride is Sport/Eibach.

 

[LSblack00]

Not sure about the sport and euro being the same part number, but considering I just replaced my front and rears, it was a pain sifting through all the part numbers. I ran through Motorcraft catalog, LSKoncepts, searched on here, and finally called about 3 dealers before I had the correct part # for the Sport.
Just our of curiosity, what did you pay for each?

 

[milehighmikey]

The Euro shocks have been discontinued, so to get the firmest ride, the Euro number was probably patched over to use the sport shocks. You wouldn't want to erroneously put a set of base model shocks where your manual transmission car originally called for the stiffest shocks. Indeed, I believe that the only car that the Euros came with stock was the manual transmission LS.

In other news, I was on Rock Auto's web site last week and noticed that they actually carry some interesting shocks for the LS. Check it out sometime. That said, I see nothing wrong with the shocks that Ford had designed for these cars for longevity and durability. I've yet to see one leak, nor give anything more than a single rebound when testing for jounce.

 

[WINSTON]

Interesting that they would still make the 3 different versions for the front shocks and only two for the rear.

OEM are the best from what I have read on here.

Looking forward to the new ride.

 

[Lincoln Luebbe]

Well I had no problems out of my 02 sport shocks until 93000 miles...
but my 06 had at least one busted shock at 49000 and now needs all four at 58000. And I baby my ride, I don't know about the previous owner.

 

[LS4me]

I believe that the only car that the Euros came with stock was the manual transmission LS.

The Euro shocks were never standard on any LS. Having had them with on with SpringTech lowering springs I don't know why Ford even had this calibration. They were extremely stiff. Even when I went back to the stock springs the ride was very harsh.

 

[milehighmikey]

The Euro shocks were never standard on any LS. Having had them with on with SpringTech lowering springs I don't know why Ford even had this calibration. They were extremely stiff. Even when I went back to the stock springs the ride was very harsh.

The paint codes on my two 2000 Manual LSs both had the colors for Euro, green paint markings on the rears and possibly white or purple for the fronts.

 

[WINSTON]

Milehigh -

Do you have any pics of your car? I have the 17" 5 spoke sports and am getting the eibachs. Also ordered 25 mm hub/wheel centric spacers to push out the wheels a little bit.

Will be running 245/45. Any issues with rubbing?