I installed front Moog springs and cars sits too high

M

metro1998

New member
I installed front Moog springs (same thickness and coils) and cars sits too high (drivers ball joint was shot and then found passenger side spring broke at bottom) , the car was only done today, even if it settles an inch in the next month that ain't gonna be where I was when I started, I can fit my fist (thumb up pinky down) between the tire and wheel well. And that's with rear tires all around. I thought Moog was the way to go, now what do I do, I don't even see Motorcraft springs available. Years ago I could call Moog and go over spring options, I lower my 84 MCSS 1.5" with Chevy S10 springs, I worked out perfect, Now I don't see a phone number to do that with a tech, someone else has the number I had.
I couldn't find Bilstein shocks for this car so I went with the KYBs but they seam a little jumpy like when put them on my 84 MCSS, I would get launched off a sharp hill, when I went to Bilsteins, I came out of the seat, the car stayed on the ground.
....that was a little long ... I need help
 
I HAVE Always looked up the spring rates then the front and rear weights of the vehicle to figure ride heights before purchasing springs. currently in my 87 grand marquis run 1000 lb street stock springs in the front and coil overs with 350 lb springs in the rear. the set up actually lowered the car a bit.
 
Turbov6Bryan said:
I just did the black 03 with 214k

Cut 1 full coil and it's sitting fine, even with 235 55 18, yes 55 up front
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Overall is the ride better? I put new struts and shocks in but reused the 272k mile front springs. I'm not happy with the ride and feel the front springs are just worn out. I'm thinking of doing what you did. Buy new springs and cut a coil. I have the same size front tire as you. If you get a chance can you post a pic of the ride height?
 
I recently put in the Monroe HD strut shock/spring combo in the front. This was a upgrade from the stock shocks and stock coils with one coil cut. I felt like the one coil cut looked cool but made the front of the ride sloppy.

I added QA1 adjusted shocks in the rear from the factory rear shocks and I have those set at 5. From the ground to center of the lip of thw wheel well all around my car sits about 29.5in, which I love the ride height. I've had everything done for a month now, the norm "settle" time frame is 4k-5k miles or depends on hows much bounce and rebound the springs have to deal with. I'll get a picture this weekend of how it looks when I pull it out the garage.

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blazen71 said:
Overall is the ride better? I put new struts and shocks in but reused the 272k mile front springs. I'm not happy with the ride and feel the front springs are just worn out. I'm thinking of doing what you did. Buy new springs and cut a coil. I have the same size front tire as you. If you get a chance can you post a pic of the ride height?
Click to expand...

It rides great, it feels stock just lowered 1 coil.

The tire does not rub... I posted this earlier and my post disappeared
 
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Turbov6Bryan said:
It rides great, it feels stock just lowered 1 coil.

The tire does not rub... I posted this earlier and my post disappeared
Click to expand...

Perfect. That how mine looks now with worn out springs. I want to keep that same height with the new springs. Thanks for the pic! Did you happen to install without cutting first?
 
NATEHAWK said:
I recently put in the Monroe HD strut shock/spring combo in the front. This was a upgrade from the stock shocks and stock coils with one coil cut. I felt like the one coil cut looked cool but made the front of the ride sloppy.

I added QA1 adjusted shocks in the rear from the factory rear shocks and I have those set at 5. From the ground to center of the lip of thw wheel well all around my car sits about 29.5in, which I love the ride height. I've had everything done for a month now, the norm "settle" time frame is 4k-5k miles or depends on hows much bounce and rebound the springs have to deal with. I'll get a picture this weekend of how it looks when I pull it out the garage.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Thanks for the measurement. I'm going to check mine when I get home but am pretty sure its right around 28.5" with uncut springs :eek: Thats how worn they are.
 
blazen71 said:
Thanks for the measurement. I'm going to check mine when I get home but am pretty sure its right around 28.5" with uncut springs :eek: Thats how worn they are.
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Cool. Think the average is 29.5-30


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blazen71 said:
Perfect. That how mine looks now with worn out springs. I want to keep that same height with the new springs. Thanks for the pic! Did you happen to install without cutting first?
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No, I knew it was going to look like a 4x4 without cutting the coil.

This car had the worn out springs and was about 1/4 inch taller, so I bought assemblies off rock auto, cut, put back together and installed.

It really rides great.
 
Turbov6Bryan said:
No, I knew it was going to look like a 4x4 without cutting the coil.

This car had the worn out springs and was about 1/4 inch taller, so I bought assemblies off rock auto, cut, put back together and installed.

It really rides great.
Click to expand...

What is the ride height at now?
 
I was able to get in touch with a Moog technician he said the Springs I put in 80668 are for a taxi the correct one is 81098. cutting a spring would be my very last resort it's gotta ride rougher sloppier I see those little cars on the road bouncing all over the place if these don't work I may have to I hope not it'll be awhile but I'll let you know how it works out what a pain in the ass
 
IF ONE lets their shocks go bad coil springs go south fairly quickly.
I have found lots of mistakes in rock autos listings.
 
tutbo2256b said:
IF ONE lets their shocks go bad coil springs go south fairly quickly.
I have found lots of mistakes in rock autos listings.
Click to expand...
I checked Moog's website. Those are the correct listings. Basically 80668 is the police/taxi version and 81098 is the standard passaenger car version. The airbags also have the same 2 options, standard and Police/Taxi. The Marauder came from the factory with the Police/Taxi version front and rear.
 
metro1998 said:
I was able to get in touch with a Moog technician he said the Springs I put in 80668 are for a taxi the correct one is 81098. cutting a spring would be my very last resort it's gotta ride rougher sloppier I see those little cars on the road bouncing all over the place if these don't work I may have to I hope not it'll be awhile but I'll let you know how it works out what a pain in the ass
Click to expand...

Rougher and sloppier because of a cut coil?

Fake news
 
Started off for wheel alignment and confirm balljoint was going then found the passenger spring was broke (at the bottom coil) sway bar links bad shape/rusted and broke with only a little pressure.... the 80668 make the car look like it's going to the moon, nose is way up in the air (it's raked to the back), The Moog guy seamed to understand right away, I hope the front isn't going to be soft, I'll find out next week. I'll try to upload a picture, can I copy/past onto the quick reply.... as far as cutting the spring, you have to feel a difference in the ride, I see the imports (granted) chopped down (alot maybe two or more coils) and look like a bouncing crappy ride. I haven't trying to get the springs from Ford probably because of cost, I'll call them next week and the Motorcraft dealer by me says the only pair of shocks are in Illinois and $189 each and he don't carry springs....
Question how long do the original shocks last?... to me springs should be changed at 100K at 90K mine were not as strong anymore anyway, so once everything was apart I figure to just replace it all... now headache
 
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