IceMans Revenge
Registered
Well not my ACTUAL rear end, but my Mark's...=)
First off...my ride as of late is awful. My air compressor is on it's way, so I'll be putting in a new one with spider valve very soon. The front air struts in my car are only about a year and a half old, so I'm all set there.
The clunking and banging in the rear end is awful. I know now I need new shock mounts. But is it the upper or the lower that is worse? Just replace both? And while I'm at it, should I replace the front upper and lower mounts? Can the car actually "squat" more in the rear with the shock mounts being shot?
Now my next question is about the rear struts. Marcus (aka Noddy) and I have talked alot about this on his car. He's replacing the struts in the back when he does the shock mounts, because the struts are only $20. or $40. respectively. So I was going to do the same. However, I just read somewhere that the rear struts will last a long time...so is this even necessary(IE- I am not totally convinced the clunking and banging can JUST be from bad mounts)?
I had considered doing the cobra shocks in the rear, however, I am leaning towards NOT firming up the ride. I think I would give up a little performance to have my nice smooth, soft ride back. So do people have suggestions for replacement rears? Marcus was told by his mechanic he had two choices..the Monroe SensaTracs or the MonroMatic. He had told me the MonroMatic was the better of the two. I did some research and the MonroMatic is listed as their economy line. So which is better...a fluid or gas filled shock? Also, all the sites I tried to look up the direct replacement for the struts said it was a MANUFACTURER ONLY DIRECT REPLACEMENT for my 1995..so what gives? This has left me even more confused.
I've also been told that 93 and 94 Marks all had some funky electronic control suspension that kept the car from nose diving, and supposedly, they discontinued this on the 95+ Marks. Ford Parts network DOES list 3 different part numbers for rear Mark struts...so can someone give me better details on the difference between years.
IE- does putting an aftermarket strut, such as Monroe, mess up these electronic functions?
Also, Monroe lists the SensaTracs as their premium struts, but their new Reflex models have some technology that is the biggest innovation in 20 years...according to their lovely rhetoric...=)...supposedly they actually sense road bumps and adjust the shock within 12 milliseconds to smooth out the ride. So which ones are better...the SensaTracs or the Reflexes? Joe said his family has always used the SensaTracs on their Vettes and love them. Any more info would be GREATLY appreciated.
I apologize for the length, but I am going to be doing the suspension as soon as I return from Carlisle; so I'll be ordering stuff, or just setting an appointment very soon.
http://pstr-m03.ygpweb.aol.com/data2/009/59/10/42/FB/PRAxPHzEF-+j+RPpsyyR+ZTwuaaMzk3l0060.jpg
First off...my ride as of late is awful. My air compressor is on it's way, so I'll be putting in a new one with spider valve very soon. The front air struts in my car are only about a year and a half old, so I'm all set there.
The clunking and banging in the rear end is awful. I know now I need new shock mounts. But is it the upper or the lower that is worse? Just replace both? And while I'm at it, should I replace the front upper and lower mounts? Can the car actually "squat" more in the rear with the shock mounts being shot?
Now my next question is about the rear struts. Marcus (aka Noddy) and I have talked alot about this on his car. He's replacing the struts in the back when he does the shock mounts, because the struts are only $20. or $40. respectively. So I was going to do the same. However, I just read somewhere that the rear struts will last a long time...so is this even necessary(IE- I am not totally convinced the clunking and banging can JUST be from bad mounts)?
I had considered doing the cobra shocks in the rear, however, I am leaning towards NOT firming up the ride. I think I would give up a little performance to have my nice smooth, soft ride back. So do people have suggestions for replacement rears? Marcus was told by his mechanic he had two choices..the Monroe SensaTracs or the MonroMatic. He had told me the MonroMatic was the better of the two. I did some research and the MonroMatic is listed as their economy line. So which is better...a fluid or gas filled shock? Also, all the sites I tried to look up the direct replacement for the struts said it was a MANUFACTURER ONLY DIRECT REPLACEMENT for my 1995..so what gives? This has left me even more confused.
I've also been told that 93 and 94 Marks all had some funky electronic control suspension that kept the car from nose diving, and supposedly, they discontinued this on the 95+ Marks. Ford Parts network DOES list 3 different part numbers for rear Mark struts...so can someone give me better details on the difference between years.
IE- does putting an aftermarket strut, such as Monroe, mess up these electronic functions?
Also, Monroe lists the SensaTracs as their premium struts, but their new Reflex models have some technology that is the biggest innovation in 20 years...according to their lovely rhetoric...=)...supposedly they actually sense road bumps and adjust the shock within 12 milliseconds to smooth out the ride. So which ones are better...the SensaTracs or the Reflexes? Joe said his family has always used the SensaTracs on their Vettes and love them. Any more info would be GREATLY appreciated.
I apologize for the length, but I am going to be doing the suspension as soon as I return from Carlisle; so I'll be ordering stuff, or just setting an appointment very soon.
http://pstr-m03.ygpweb.aol.com/data2/009/59/10/42/FB/PRAxPHzEF-+j+RPpsyyR+ZTwuaaMzk3l0060.jpg