My shocks are getting worn out and am wondering what you guys are using to replace your factory shocks or are you guys going with OEM?
Replacement shocks
- Thread starter Steeda04SVT
- Start date
If you have stock springs, I'd suggest Bilstein HD's. You can get all four for less than $600. I just replaced my worn OEM's yesterday with these. I haven't been able to confirm this, but I believe these are slightly different than the OEM shocks. But, they're supposed to compliment the 600 lb/in better than stock in both ride and performance.
F4-V36-4138-H5 (front)
F4-BE5-2959-H0 (rear)
I would recommend Bilstein. For years they were OEM on most european sports and luxury cars, and they handle and ride great. Everyone I've recommended to has loved them.
for sure I think its time to replace mine....although I am not to sure how worn out struts feel like.....where do you purchase these struts at??
They are squeaking on any bump and when i brake even remotely hard at all the front end dips.
I knew my shocks were going out for a few reasons...
First, there’s nothing that will make a car feel more like a piece of junk than bad struts and shocks. My car was usually a joy to drive, but the worse and worse the shocks got, the easier it was to tell they were the problem. Their demise was rapid. Perhaps 500 miles from the initial symptoms to completely horrid ride quality.
Highway driving, it would bounce like all get out.
At low speeds, <15mph, small bumps in the concrete/tarmac would create a rapid tapping metal-on-metal noise. This symptom was intermittent.
When turning the steering wheel near lock at low speeds, I could feel/hear a squeak. Because the strut's axis is also a rotational axis, I started to put it together.
Finally, when placing one hand on the strut tower and the other on the upper front subframe cross member and forcefully pushing down, I could induce a very audible clunk on the driver side.
Not a problem. This advice is purely based on spring rate. I think the Bilstein HD's work ok until about 700-800 lb/in (conventional spring) before they become oversprung. If you get a shock designed for a higher spring rate than you have, you are overdamped. Both scenarios will likely end in premature shock/strut death and horrible ride quality.
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Since the Cobra springs are linear, The Bilstein HDs will work fine with cut stock springs. If you have a higher rate lowering spring, step up to Bilstein Sports.
OP, do you want to sell your old front struts?
OP, do you want to sell your old front struts?
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Well Ive only got 40k miles on mine but they are approaching 7 years old. I dont have any sounds coming from mine but when driving less than 15mph on a fairly flat road it acts like theres lots of little bumps that shake the car. Ill probably replace mine sometime this year. Thanks for the info mu22stang
Is there another kit I can pickup that would ride even better than stock? Coilovers? I want the best ride possible since its a street Cobra but dont want to pay a ton
Is there another kit I can pickup that would ride even better than stock? Coilovers? I want the best ride possible since its a street Cobra but dont want to pay a ton
Coilovers will ride and handle better.. but they will cost you a ton.
Depending on how aggressive you go, coilover springs allow you to increase the spring rate rate without the sometimes unbearable compromise in ride quality. In general, with conventional springs the higher the spring rate the lower the ride quality. Coilovers are more expensive and have more moving parts (reliability) than the OEM setup.
Your goals for the car are paramount. If you like the look of your cut springs Cobra (your car sits great btw), don't foresee yourself hitting the open track or autocross course, and don't like just blowing cash on unnecessary mods, get the HD's and keep the stock cut springs. You will be happy with ride quality, and happy with your stance. For performance, drastically cut stock springs just don't cut it (no pun).
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Ya I like my stance but wish it was just a tad lower. Problem is driveways and speed bumps here in town. I rarely scrape now but any lower and I know I will. An aftermarket spring will allow me to lower it more but Ive ridden in Cobras with H&Rs and that is not what I want at all. Too hard of a ride for me. Bouncy on uneven roads. I can rub the rear tires on the rear fenders through dips so I cant cut anymore. The stock springs are too soft but thats giving me the ride quality I like
I may eventually look into coilovers. Why cant I have the Lexus luxury in a Cobra? :rolling:
I may eventually look into coilovers. Why cant I have the Lexus luxury in a Cobra? :rolling:
OP,
Stock Bilsteins are winners. They came stock with all the z71s from 88-98 years. Great shocks!
Stock Bilsteins are winners. They came stock with all the z71s from 88-98 years. Great shocks!
Are you saying the stock Terminator shocks are the same (model number) as Z71 shocks?
I don't know what he is saying, but that is definately not the case.
Does anyone know the part or model number? Is it a specific valving for the Terminators or a standard Bilstein strut and shock.
The Bilstein HDs were standard on the car. The HD front strut is identical to the OEM Cobra strut.
Convertibles had a softer rear shock damping than the coupes.The HD rear shocks are supposedly very similar to the OEM Coupe valving but are not identical.
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Good info.
I have an 04 convertible and my front struts are leaking so I started looking into replacing them. I see the stock convertible front strut is a Bilstein OEM, part number 2R3Z-18124-BA. There seems to only be 1 place selling them for $570.
Looking at this thread the HD Bilstein front struts are probably what I should buy? I have no suspension mods and don't plan on doing any. I'd like to keep the ride as is, my 99 GT was my toy to mod and I'm happy with the 04 the way it is.
Should I just go with the HD Bilsteins for my 04 convertible or is there something else that would be more comparable to the stock 2R3Z-18124-BA part?
Lethal has them for $411 for a pair. Thanks for any input.
Bilstein Heavy-Duty Front Strut 96-04 Mustang [395-V36-4138-HI] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs
Looking at this thread the HD Bilstein front struts are probably what I should buy? I have no suspension mods and don't plan on doing any. I'd like to keep the ride as is, my 99 GT was my toy to mod and I'm happy with the 04 the way it is.
Should I just go with the HD Bilsteins for my 04 convertible or is there something else that would be more comparable to the stock 2R3Z-18124-BA part?
Lethal has them for $411 for a pair. Thanks for any input.
Bilstein Heavy-Duty Front Strut 96-04 Mustang [395-V36-4138-HI] : Lethal Performance, Performance parts for Ford Mustangs
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