Front Strut/Coil

[crouse]

Does anyone have a video or instructions on replacing the front strut/coil assemblies?

[fastblackmerc]

Does anyone have a video or instructions on replacing the front strut/coil assemblies?

Plenty of youtube videos like this one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYjGIA9uvpU

[crouse]

That's a good video. I think I can do this.

I'm going to order the Monroe #271346 from Rock Auto for $91.79 each. I'll also replace the rear shocks with Monroe #5993 for $27.89 each.

Thank you.

[Comin' in Hot]

The easier way to do it without taking the spindle off is to remove the upper control arm to crossmember bolts. You still need to remove the rotor to disconnect the swaybar and disconnect the abs sensor plug and clips, but the upper control arm spins out of the way.

[crouse]

Thanks for the tip. I noticed this guy had the car on jack stands then used a jack to support the bottom of the spring coil, then lowered the jack slowly/carefully once all of the bolts were removed.

[Comin' in Hot]

Let the suspension hang free when you unbolt the lower shock bolt, you could knock out it with no fear of the coil spring unloading since the spring is held in the strut assembly. Whatever you do, DO NOT remove the center nut at the strut hat, only the three smaller nuts that hold it to the crossmember.

[Mr. Man]

If you need to take the strut apart only do so if you have the proper equipment, if you don't take to a shop that does.

[crouse]

I purchased the entire strut assembly, so there is no reason to mess with removing the spring.

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/271346

[offroadkarter]

I purchased the entire strut assembly, so there is no reason to mess with removing the spring.

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/271346


you might notice a change in ride height or handling, that assembly is more aimed at civilian spec crown vics and grand marqs

[crouse]

I got the front strut/coil assemblies and rear shocks changed. I don't notice and difference in ride height. Haven't driven it enough to determine if there is any differences in handling. There are not that many choices for front strut/coil assemblies for our cars. I did notice some bouncing with my old struts, so that's why I decided to replace them.

I removed the caliper, caliper bracket, upper control arm nut, loosened the upper control arm nuts at the cross member and the upper sway bar link. I was able to get enough clearance by pushing down on the lower control arm to get the old strut out.

[crouse]

I found a before picture and now it looks like it sits about 2" taller. Now I don't know what to do. I wish I would have known this before I purchased and installed them.

[gdmjoe]

crouse - I found a before picture and now it looks like it sits about 2" taller. Now I don't know what to do. I wish I would have known this before I purchased and installed them.
The reason I just had the strut/shock-absorber changed and (re)used the spring.
.

[crouse]

So what determines the ride height? Or what's different between the OEM strut/coil and the Monroe coil/strut I bought?

[justbob]

The reason I just had the strut/shock-absorber changed and (re)used the spring.
.

Same. Previously cut spring too.


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[offroadkarter]

So what determines the ride height? Or what's different between the OEM strut/coil and the Monroe coil/strut I bought?


the coil spring is the main factor in ride height. As per Ford, if you look at a civilian base suspension crown vic or grand marquis (we're excluding HPP here), a P71 police car sits 1" higher than "stock" while a Marauder sits 1" lower than "stock". Putting in a pre-assembled coilover over meant for a civilian crown vic or grand marquis will undoubtedly raise the ride height up front.

If you want to do this the correct way, I'd return that seutp saying "wrong fit for my application" and buy the Marauder spec shocks from Ford.

Shock Absorber - Ford (7W3Z-18124-J)
(https://parts.autonationfordwhitebearl ake.com/oem-parts/ford-shock-absorber-7w3z18124j?c=Zz1mcm9udC1zdXNwZ W5zaW9uJnM9c3VzcGVuc2lvbi1jb21 wb25lbnRzJmw9NCZuPUFzc2VtYmxpZ XMgUGFnZSZhPW1lcmN1cnkmbz1tYXJ hdWRlciZ5PTIwMDMmdD1iYXNlJmU9N C02bC12OC1nYXM%3D)

If that isn't an option, you're going to have to put your stock coils on those Monroe shocks you bought, that would return your ride height to normal.

[Ambitious1]

"the coil spring is the main factor in ride height. As per Ford, if you look at a civilian base suspension crown vic or grand marquis (we're excluding HPP here), a P71 police car sits 1" higher than "stock" while a Marauder sits 1" lower than "stock". Putting in a pre-assembled coilover over meant for a civilian crown vic or grand marquis will undoubtedly raise the ride height up front.

If you want to do this the correct way, I'd return that seutp saying "wrong fit for my application" and buy the Marauder spec shocks from Ford."


This. ^^^. I just replaced my front coilovers about two months ago and I learned the hard way. I wanted to go OEM, but the MM coils are obsolete from Ford. I unknowingly bought the GMQ coilovers, thinking they were the same. After installation, I noticed the MM was sitting too high in the front. Even after the coils settled, the MM was sitting like a CV or GMQ about an 1" or 2" too high. I really like the MM "rake" with the front lower than the back. So you have to cut one coil to get it to the original MM front height like I did. Or go with your original coils, if they are still in good condition.

[crouse]

I think I'll order these Motorcraft struts and have a local shop replace the strut on my stock springs.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/mercury,2003,marauder,4.6l+v8, 1387829,suspension,strut,7584

Hopefully I can return the Monroe strut/coils.

Thanks,
Curt

[crouse]

What do you guys think about taking the new Monroe shock absorber and installing it in the old coil? Will it fit? I'm just trying to avoid returning the Monroe struts to Rock Auto and worried they won't take them back because they were installed. If the Motorcraft shock is the way to go, then that's what I'll do. What do you think about the rear Monroe shocks? Are they similar to the Motorcraft? Thanks, Curt

[crouse]

Bumping this back up to the top.

[justbob]

What do you guys think about taking the new Monroe shock absorber and installing it in the old coil? Will it fit? I'm just trying to avoid returning the Monroe struts to Rock Auto and worried they won't take them back because they were installed. If the Motorcraft shock is the way to go, then that's what I'll do. What do you think about the rear Monroe shocks? Are they similar to the Motorcraft? Thanks, Curt

They will fit fine. I run Monroe severe duty on the back and it’s fine as well.


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[dmjarosz]

I went with Moog 80668 springs and cut ONE full coil off and they still sit a teeny bit high for my liking, even after settling. I cant remember what shocks I used unfortunately. I have to eventually replace the control arms due to ripped ball joint boots and I plan on cutting off another 1/4 to 1/2 coil pending the outcome of my ride height calculations. The car handles just fine as-is though.

[crouse]

If you cut a coil, do you have to have the alignment re-done?

[MyBlackBeasts]

If you cut a coil, do you have to have the alignment re-done?

Yes, even w/o cutting the coil, replacing the coil-over assm changes everything and should be aligned.

[fastblackmerc]

If you cut a coil, do you have to have the alignment re-done?

Other than replacing the sway bar, you should get an alignment done after any front end work.

[crouse]

I was able to sell the Monroe front struts on Craigslist so now I'm looking to buy just the front shocks to install in my stock coils.

Is this Monroe front shock a good option?

http://www.monroe.com/en-US/e-catalog/553001

Thanks,
Curt

[crouse]

Auto Nation Ford shows this Motorcraft shock. It's more expensive though.

https://parts.autonationfordwhitebearl ake.com/oem-parts/ford-shock-absorber-7w3z18124j?c=Zz1mcm9udC1zdXNwZ W5zaW9uJnM9c3VzcGVuc2lvbi1jb21 wb25lbnRzJmw9NCZuPUFzc2VtYmxpZ XMgUGFnZSZhPW1lcmN1cnkmbz1tYXJ hdWRlciZ5PTIwMDMmdD1iYXNlJmU9N C02bC12OC1nYXM%3D

Thanks,
Curt