26 replies to this topic

[Myrosia]

Hi.

I have a 1999 Ford Contour SE, L4, Vin 3

The dealer installed OEM rear struts and springs. Also, front struts.

The ride is horrible. The car ride very stiff and bouncy.

I am considering changing them out for Monroe or KYB.

Does anyone know which brand struts/springs would give me a softer ride?

Thanks

[spridget]

KYB GR-2 struts tend to be a bit firmer. Monroe and Gabriel tend to be a bit softer.

[Myrosia]

KYB GR-2 struts tend to be a bit firmer. Monroe and Gabriel tend to be a bit softer.

Thanks for the reply.

So, KYB a bit more firmer eh? Are Monroe of good quality? I keep reading people guy them and they go out after like 3 months?

Also, should I change the OEM springs the dealer put in? If so with which brand?

[spridget]

Monroes and Gabriels aren't good for lowering springs or sporty rides, but usually fine for daily drivers. They offer various grades for different budgets.

I'm not aware of any factory spec spring other than OEM. TRW or Moog may offer something, but usually those brands offer increased load springs. Aftermarkt springs are generally for lowering and sporty handling.

I looked at a few online sources.... RockAuto had the best prices. They offer Monroe Monro-Matic (good), Monroe Sensa-Trac (better), KYB's, and Motorcraft struts. There were several brands of springs as well. The only difference I can tell from the spring choice is whether or not the car has A/C. The Spicer brand spring should match OEM spec.

[Terry Haines]

...my take is..never had any issues with OEM struts on ether SVT or non svt cars.The others you list are not premium shocks and have also heard a lot of negative comments on KYB units....Bit confuesd here ...shocks/springs are usually firm OR bouncy...Hard= new stiff shocks, Bouncy= weak/soft shocks???

[Gar]

Is there the possibility that the Sport package was used as the replacement? It's stiffer than the non sport ride, isn't it? And so many Sports were made later on, right? I'd think all the aftermarket systems would be firmer than stock.

Gar

[Terry Haines]

...not sure if a 'sport' Ford/OEM shock is listed??

[Myrosia]

...my take is..never had any issues with OEM struts on ether SVT or non svt cars.The others you list are not premium shocks and have also heard a lot of negative comments on KYB units....Bit confuesd here ...shocks/springs are usually firm OR bouncy...Hard= new stiff shocks, Bouncy= weak/soft shocks???

I know that's the odd part about it. I think the combination of the OEM strut and spring cause the bouncines.

Just had the dealer who installed the struts and spring verify this information:

After driving the car that agreed that it's stiffer ride than normal and the cause of it is....

Apparently the springs and stuts in the rear are the same whether it is a 4 or a 6 cylinder. And 95 - 00 the rear springs are the same part number. The rear struts also seem to be the same.

The tech at the dealer is surprised that Ford would do this. I seems that they no longer manufacture the OEM springs/struts that are *intended* to be used for the 1999 Contour. They are simply trying to use the *extra* stock on the shelf. He feels this is wrong.

The dealer can do nothing to correct this - they told me.

According to Alldata: There was an option for "Vin 3" or "Vin Z" but I checked both and the part number's for the struts/springs are the same.

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L CNG DOHC VIN Z SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L DOHC VIN 3 SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

Edited by Myrosia, 06 October 2008 - 11:15 AM.

[Terry Haines]

...cause the bouncines

..the correct shock is the key to stop this.The damping of the shock reduces the bounce,not the spring...

[Myrosia]

...cause the bouncines

..the correct shock is the key to stop this.The damping of the shock reduces the bounce,not the spring...

Good point. Must be the struts causing it. Because the front struts were replaced but not the springs and all you feel is bang bang from the road. Very very stiff ride...feels like the interior of the car is going to fall apart. Same goes for the rears.

Edited by Myrosia, 06 October 2008 - 11:30 AM.

[Terry Haines]

...from your description they may have fitted V6 shocks Vs 4 cyl units...The V6 is heavier on the front than a 4 cyl...

[rkctdwn]

I know that's the odd part about it. I think the combination of the OEM strut and spring cause the bouncines.

Just had the dealer who installed the struts and spring verify this information:

After driving the car that agreed that it's stiffer ride than normal and the cause of it is....

Apparently the springs and stuts in the rear are the same whether it is a 4 or a 6 cylinder. And 95 - 00 the rear springs are the same part number. The rear struts also seem to be the same.

The tech at the dealer is surprised that Ford would do this. I seems that they no longer manufacture the OEM springs/struts that are *intended* to be used for the 1999 Contour. They are simply trying to use the *extra* stock on the shelf. He feels this is wrong.

The dealer can do nothing to correct this - they told me.

According to Alldata: There was an option for "Vin 3" or "Vin Z" but I checked both and the part number's for the struts/springs are the same.

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L CNG DOHC VIN Z SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L DOHC VIN 3 SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

I can't find my notes, but from memory (extremely suspect) 3-4 years ago to save money Ford parts went with one part fits all. Which you are showing. Did you get these numbers from Alldata or Ford?
Just note, I replaced tires this summer with Kumho's Grand Touring all-season. 205 60V of all the different tires over the last 11 years these made this chassis awesome! The ride, expansion joints, noise, handling, turn-in, rain tire performance (better than any dedicated rain tire) and lower rolling resistance better MPG. I know this sounds like TV commercial but event he wife noticed. No my wife not mechanically inclined. The bottom line this is first time in 45 years driving I've experienced such a phenomenon. This tire shows good promise of wearing much longer. My luck they'll quite making this tire model when I get ready to put a set on my back-up Mistake!!!!
"LX Platinum" is the model Go to Tire Rack and put Kumho Grand touring all-season.

[BrApple]

are those struts that you go blue? if so a friend of mine had those installed on the front of his zetec and with the V6 front springs it rode high. he resently swapped to OEM motorcraft struts all around from rockauto and got moog springs, iirc. last I heard he was very happy with the ride.

edit: do they look like this?

Edited by BrApple, 07 October 2008 - 06:24 AM.

[Myrosia]

are those struts that you go blue? if so a friend of mine had those installed on the front of his zetec and with the V6 front springs it rode high. he resently swapped to OEM motorcraft struts all around from rockauto and got moog springs, iirc. last I heard he was very happy with the ride.

edit: do they look like this?

They were when I had them installed then I demanded the dealer install the OEM. This was last year and now have about 15.000 miles on them. Horrible ride and they first said they needed to be broken in. But as I stated, the springs and stuts in the rear are the same whether it is a 4 or a 6 cylinder. And 95 - 00 the rear springs are the same part number. The rear struts also seem to be the same.

I think I will just get Monroe Matic and have them put in.

[Myrosia]

...cause the bouncines

..the correct shock is the key to stop this.The damping of the shock reduces the bounce,not the spring...

Just had a response from Monroe.....

Monroe offers the Sensa Trac and Monroe Matic Plus units for your application. Sensa-Trac units are
premium units designed to give you more comfort than the factory shock; however they utilize "Control Zones" at the top and bottom of the unit which help prevent topping and bottoming of the suspension during adverse road conditions.

The Monro-Matic Plus is designed with slightly more control than the factory original shock absorber. It is an economical replacement for worn out dampers.


Therefore, do you guys think I should go with the Sensa-Trac unit or Monro-Matic Plus to correct my issues?

Thanks

Edited by Myrosia, 05 November 2008 - 05:48 PM.

[BrApple]

Just had a response from Monroe.....

Monroe offers the Sensa Trac and Monroe Matic Plus units for your application. Sensa-Trac units are
premium units designed to give you more comfort than the factory shock; however they utilize "Control Zones" at the top and bottom of the unit which help prevent topping and bottoming of the suspension during adverse road conditions.

The Monro-Matic Plus is designed with slightly more control than the factory original shock absorber. It is an economical replacement for worn out dampers.


Therefore, do you guys think I should go with the Sensa-Trac unit or Monro-Matic Plus to correct my issues?

Thanks

I think you need to go OEM to fix the problem. you can get them from rockauto.com. here is a discount code also: 1061512929879

ends Nov 30

[Myrosia]

I think you need to go OEM to fix the problem. you can get them from rockauto.com. here is a discount code also: 1061512929879

ends Nov 30

Thanks although, I already have OEM. That seems the issue.....

I think the combination of the OEM strut and spring cause the bouncines.

Just had the dealer who installed the struts and spring verify this information:

After driving the car that agreed that it's stiffer ride than normal and the cause of it is....

Apparently the springs and stuts in the rear are the same whether it is a 4 or a 6 cylinder. And 95 - 00 the rear springs are the same part number. The rear struts also seem to be the same.

The tech at the dealer is surprised that Ford would do this. I seems that they no longer manufacture the OEM springs/struts that are *intended* to be used for the 1999 Contour. They are simply trying to use the *extra* stock on the shelf. He feels this is wrong.

The dealer can do nothing to correct this - they told me.

According to Alldata: There was an option for "Vin 3" or "Vin Z" but I checked both and the part number's for the struts/springs are the same.

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L CNG DOHC VIN Z SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour L4-122 2.0L DOHC VIN 3 SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual Trans - F5RZ5310G
Front Auto Trans - F5RZ5310D
Rear - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L DOHC VIN L SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

1999 Ford Contour V6-153 2.5L VIN G (24 Valve) SFI
Struts
Front - 3U2Z18124AB
Rear - F8RZ18125AA
Springs
Front Manual - F5RZ5310H
Front Auto - F5RZ5310E
Rear Standard Edition - F5RZ5560D
Rear Sport Edition - F5RZ5560D

Edited by Myrosia, 06 November 2008 - 12:36 PM.

[spridget]

If I were to choose between the two, I'd go with Sensa-Tracs.

[KAOS_2.5M]

If I were to choose between the two, I'd go with Sensa-Tracs.

why? sensa tracks are softer than oem are they not?


and for the op, you have a bouncy ride, means the shocks aren't firm enough.... if it is stiff and bouncy, you have a spring installed with a higher spring rate than oem. it could be an oem spring (simply not for your exact model). it could be for an automatic if you have a manual, or it could be a v6 spring as terry has stated.


perhaps a basic understanding of automobiles is in order here, and more listening/reading/searching/learning.



that or you could just buy a "new car" sure ford would be happy to maintain your brand new ford fusion.

[spridget]

why? sensa tracks are softer than oem are they not?

Myrosia is complaining of too stiff a ride with OEM....