Escort Suspensions

[chrisanthony]

Hi Guys

I have a 96lx auto

Is it possible to put in shocks and springs from an escort GT into my lx. Would it be an easy job?


Thanks,

Chris

[mightymoose_22]

I believe they are interchangeable... and it is a pretty quick/easy job (if you are replacing the whole assembly).

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

I believe they are interchangeable... and it is a pretty quick/easy job (if you are replacing the whole assembly).

cool cool


gt shocks here i come haah

[mightymoose_22]

Most of the body on these cars is the same... the main difference is the engine and tranny.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Most of the body on these cars is the same... the main difference is the engine and tranny.

thanks..just a little clarification can you tell me how to perform this..

[mightymoose_22]

If you are swapping the whole assembly then it is very simple.

Jack up the front end and remove the wheels.
Disconnect the brake hose from the strut (hot from the hub).
Remove the lower bolts that mount the strut to the hub, and then remove the upper bolts on the strut mount (under the hood).
You should have sufficient room to wiggle the entire strut assembly out.

There should be some sort of marker on the top strut mount. That marker should be oriented toward the center of the vehicle when reinstalled.

Be sure to torque your bolts appropriately.

Done!

[mightymoose_22]

By the way... you are likely swapping identical parts... you won't be getting any kind of performance boost by doing this. I'm assuming you have bad struts on the LX and are replacing them with good ones from the GT.

[denisond3]

Also: By taking the struts apart from the knuckle (what the hub turns inside of) you will have de-aligned your wheels I believe.
You need to somehow very carefully mark the angles of the struts relative to the connection where they bolt to the knuckle, to have even close to the proper alignment when you are done. This applies to all 4 struts, rear and front. I usually make up a jig to mark the angle between the brake backing plates (in the rear) and the rotors (in the front). I figure if I can get the same angle between the outer leg of the struts on the new ones versus the previous strut, my alignment will be fairly close. Im lucky if I get back within a degree of original. The -pro- advice would be to at least have a 4 wheel 'camber' & toe-in alignment done. Changing the camber will change the toe in a little. Toe-in is separately adjustable on the suspension; both front and rear.
After changing a strut I keep a close watch on the tires. If alignment is off by much, it will show up as adverse tread wear.


If you buy struts With springs - I think you will be spending about $130-$175 times 4. This depends on what quality of struts you buy. If you just buy struts & re-use your old springs, you would spend about $40-$70 times 4. But then you will also have to use spring compressors to move them from the old struts to the new. You will probably find some of the bolts that hold the top plate onto the strut shaft to be rusted up and hard to loosen. I manage to change springs to new struts without serious injury, but I often find my acetylene torch is needed, and I never look forward to it.
I have found that the really good struts always cost more than I care to spend.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

By the way... you are likely swapping identical parts... you won't be getting any kind of performance boost by doing this. I'm assuming you have bad struts on the LX and are replacing them with good ones from the GT.

My suspensions are fine. I heard the GT suspensions are much better in corning and smoother since there sport suspensions. Thats why I want to swap mine.
Is this true about the GT suspensions?

[mightymoose_22]

I believe they are identical parts.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

I believe they are identical parts.

Hi i was researching and i found this:
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...d-escort-1.htm

" A GT handles crisply, courtesy of its sport suspension and 15-inch tires. The same cannot be said of Pony and LX hatchbacks, whose 13-inch rubber easily loses grip in brisk cornering. Standard 4-wheel disc brakes on the GT bring the Escort to a swift, sure stop. "

[12Ounce]

... the anti-sway bar may be a different diameter.

[mightymoose_22]

Yes, the bar is a different size.
I believe the struts and springs are the same though.
I looked at the parts on Auto Zone's website... same part number for 1.9 and 1.8 cars.

That said, if you want a better quality strut, there are plenty to choose from ou there. I'm sure you can find a better quality strut to install... but a straight swap with another vehicle isn't necessarily changing anything.

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by mightymoose_22

Yes, the bar is a different size.
I believe the struts and springs are the same though.
I looked at the parts on Auto Zone's website... same part number for 1.9 and 1.8 cars.

That said, if you want a better quality strut, there are plenty to choose from ou there. I'm sure you can find a better quality strut to install... but a straight swap with another vehicle isn't necessarily changing anything.

what is this anti-sway bar you speak of?..do you mean the sway bar that goes on top under the hood?