Suspension Parts Suggestions

[smata67]

Almost 20 years and 120K miles, might be time to replace the struts and ball joint (lower control arm) on the Windstar. Upon inspection, one of my springs is rusting at the middle and at the bottom end and the ball joint is fully collapsed, boot ripped. I popped $40 for a pair of rear shocks by Gabriel (G Force), largely based on price. I'm looking at Rock Auto for the OEM grade replacements and would like to use the "best" parts for these two. Several name brand manufacturers. I might be doing the work myself, so the quick strut makes sense, also because I am replacing the spring. So, is there a known better brand to go with? I have used and installed the Monroe quick strut in the past on a Caravan and it worked fine. Looking for a good stiff ride, I use the van mostly as a Home Depot road trip vehicle, it is not my main ride.

[scubacat]

After 3 sets of monroes and one of KYBs, I finally gave up and went back to motorcraft. BIG difference. I reused the front springs and strut mounts off of the most recent KYB "ready strut" assemblies. For the rear, I recommend replacing the springs with the Moog variable rate springs for a better ride. Rock auto and other retailers sell the OEM motorcraft shocks and struts for really not that much more than after market (especially considering the improved ride and longevity.) The rear shocks came with all new fasteners and J-hook thingies, and the front struts not only came with new fasteners but also a new OEM boot and bump stop.

Tip: Ford actually calls the front struts "shock absorbers" in their parts catalog. Rock Auto and other retailers will have them under the "shocks" category, not the struts, so if you don't see them at first, look carefully under shocks.

[smata67]

You are probably right that the best quality are the OEMs. I may just boot the idea of doing it myself, have it done by a shop, and use the MC parts. I did not want to deal with the spring, but that would be their problem. I'm really only putting about 2,000 miles a year on this vehicle, I could even live with what I got, but I'm seeing some of these springs failing for others, not the way I want to go.

Originally Posted by scubacat

After 3 sets of monroes and one of KYBs, I finally gave up and went back to motorcraft. BIG difference. I reused the front springs and strut mounts off of the most recent KYB "ready strut" assemblies. For the rear, I recommend replacing the springs with the Moog variable rate springs for a better ride. Rock auto and other retailers sell the OEM motorcraft shocks and struts for really not that much more than after market (especially considering the improved ride and longevity.) The rear shocks came with all new fasteners and J-hook thingies, and the front struts not only came with new fasteners but also a new OEM boot and bump stop.

Tip: Ford actually calls the front struts "shock absorbers" in their parts catalog. Rock Auto and other retailers will have them under the "shocks" category, not the struts, so if you don't see them at first, look carefully under shocks.

[smata67]

By the way, if I go with the Monroe 171920 strut kit, is there any additional mounting hardware needed? I see an elastomeric donut ring in the RA parts section that could go between the upper strut mount and the chassis. Seems like there could be a source of noise there.

[scubacat]

Monroe also sells the top spacers for like $7 each. It keeps the top mount from rubbing against the strut tower and making an annoying squeaking noise. I have to say, at 2000 miles a year, I'd just get the quickstruts like you mentioned and be done with it. They have a lifetime warranty.

[smata67]

I see a "Strut Mount Bearing":

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....354856&jsn=473

And a "Strut Mount Spacer":

http://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo....354856&jsn=484

that could be needed, can you tell me which one does not come with the quickstrut?

[12Ounce]

I would expect the bearing to already installed, but the (separate/loose) spacer would not be included. I would want the spacer ... just as extra insurance against noise.

[scubacat]

Yes 12ounce is exactly correct, as always.

The bearing goes between the top of the strut spring and the strut mount, and thus comes with the quick strut. The "spacer" is actually an additional part created for a TSB (technical service bulletin) that came out to address noise complaints. This is a rare case where there's an aftermarket option for a TSB, probably because ford wanted $50 per plate! The monroe ones work just fine I assure you!

[smata67]

I will order the spacer and have it handy for the strut replacement. For now, I’m looking at the Monroe Strut Mates, Motorcraft control arms (not much more than the Moogs), and very likely new sway bar bushings and links. I did replace these in 2005 when I got the van, but I forgot to initially lube and have never greased the links and it appears they are seized up. I do hear some minor clunking, probably the links. I will go with the Mevotech bushings and links, I have been getting them for my other vehicles and have been impressed with their build quality. The inner control arms were replaced by a chain tire shop recently with generic parts. I hated to do that, but they had the vehicle on a four tire replacement (Continental TrueContacts, highly recommended, they improved the ride tremendously).

I just checked the trans fluid, also replaced in 2005 with 30K miles on it now, milky and in need of replacement. The fluid, I have found, needs replacing every 20K to stay fresh. I used Mobil 1 Synthetic ATF.

I do intend on getting the van to the dealer for the $300 rear axle replacement. I am not experiencing serious rust, but the van did spend most of its life in northern virginia and there is some rust in the underside, the springs in particular, which drive the suspension part replacement I plan on per the above approach. The mount at the upper part of the rear spring is completely bulged out, so the dealer will probably get me for that. I do want to take care of the front end work ahead of time so I don’t get the call with a $2500 estimate for struts and control arms.

[smata67]

I meant inner tie rods, no inner control arms on this car

[smata67]

Here is the bulletin about the spacer install, good call guys. The Ford part is discontinued, but is available at $60 a pop on eBay. Personally, prefer to spring $7.38 for it at the Rock...

[12Ounce]

If you are getting a milky look in the transmission fluid, I would suggest a small sample be sent to Blackstone Labs for a test. I suspect water/coolant has leaked in. I installed a separate cooler just for the transmission fluid and took the old path through the radiator out of service. In fact, I added that old fluid path to the PS cooling path. I figured contaminated PS fluid would not be such a major disaster.

[smata67]

I plan on taking a closer look at the fluid once I drain it and hopefully post some photos. What operates at a higher pressure, the PS or cooling system? The coolant is clear as day.

[12Ounce]

The PS system operates at the highest pressure on the vehicle ... a few hundred PSI, I believe ... but the cooling loop is probably at atmospheric pressure. The cooling loop is much the same on the transmission ... near atmospheric. Engine oil pressure peaks at cold start-up and can come close to 100 PSI ... but after the engine and oil warm up, it can drop to under 10 PSI at idle.

Keep in mind, when the hot engine is shut down, all the fluid systems drop to zero PSI, except for the coolant, which can stay at near two atmospheres for quite a while.

[CARiD]

Originally Posted by smata67

I have used and installed the Monroe quick strut in the past on a Caravan and it worked fine.

+1 On the Monro, it's definitely the right way to go. These strusts and spring are very close to OEM and they will last for a long time. They also make them for 1999 Windstar, you can check it here.