Lowering an 06 - I can't find a straight answer

[Synyster06Gates]

I ordered some SR springs from AM on Black Friday because well, my car desperately needs it. That being said, I've been looking at install guides and I can't find a straight answer.

Some springs come with shock boots. Are those needed? I've heard conflicting data on that.

Strut mounts - It seems that some people say re using the stock strut mounts are fine and some say that they should be replaced. I'm trying to do this as cost effective as possible, so if I don't need to spend another ~$80-100 on strut mounts then I won't. Anyone have a definitive answer for me?

On the 94-04 this was easy. On the S197s there are far more things to worry about.

 

[07TGGT]

How many miles are on your car? How much do those springs lower it?
I would buy a set of GT500 strut mounts, point the arrow inward and stay within alighnment specs.

Strut boots? I don't have a clue. If you got it though, I would use em.

 

[86GT351]

I ordered some SR springs from AM on Black Friday because well, my car desperately needs it. That being said, I've been looking at install guides and I can't find a straight answer.

Some springs come with strut boots. Are those needed? I've heard conflicting data on that.

Strut mounts - It seems that some people say re using the stock strut mounts are fine and some say that they should be replaced. I'm trying to do this as cost effective as possible, so if I don't need to spend another ~$80-100 on strut mounts then I won't. Anyone have a definitive answer for me?

On the 94-04 this was easy. On the S197s there are far more things to worry about.

Do you mean the Strut Boot or Strut Bumper? As for the Mounts. Replace them while the set up is apart. They are a concern even when new

 

[Synyster06Gates]

My car has about 80k miles on it, the springs lower it 1.5''

Do you mean the Strut Boot or Strut Bumper? As for the Mounts. Replace them while the set up is apart. They are a concern even when new

Sorry it was shock boots.

Shown in this pic

The springs I ordered do not appear to come with them.

 

[07TGGT]

80K miles, yeah, DEFINITELY replace those strut mounts. GT500s will work great and won't break the bank. Our Vendors here sell them.

 

[86GT351]

They are a protective aide to keep road debris off of the strut shaft!

 

[AnotherS197]

If you're trying to be cost effective, you could go without new strut mounts, but at 80k I'd just replace them. Either with the stock or GT500's, you can turn the arrow inward like what 07TGGT had mentioned.

The strut boots that came with my K springs looked like the ones in the picture you posted, and honestly fit very weirdly. I just left the stock ones on there. No harm. Install is honestly very easy, don't sweat it.

 

[NotQuik]

I reused the stock strut boots as well

 

[fdjizm]

Nobody wants a dirty shaft.

 

[Viperrmk]

Ya just get some GT500 strut mounts. Might as well do it when you have them out of the car then to re use the stock ones and have to do it all over again. And especially since you are at 80k miles

 

[86GT351]

Ya just get some GT500 strut mounts. Might as well do it when you have them out of the car then to re use the stock ones and have to do it all over again. And especially since you are at 80k miles

Like!

 

[ZPounds09GT]

If you don't replace them, especially with your high mileage, the strut mounts will start to pop when you turn the wheel. With the high mileage and extra wear, it will happen sooner rather than later.

Lowering changes the geometry of the suspension so it causes more stress on the mount from what I understand and the strut mount starts to portray that stress by popping. The GT500 mount is more robust with a higher durometer spring isolator so it can handle the extra stress better.

 

[Synyster06Gates]

Got it! Thanks everyone. Guess I'll spring for the GT500 mounts.

 

[Department Of Boost]

You may as well get some struts/shocks too. Brand new OEM struts/shocks will have a hard time keeping up with lowering springs. Blown out/used up ones like you have will be a floppy mess.

I don’t drive many high mileage/stock strut/shock cars. I got a chance too a few weeks ago. A stock 2008 with 45K miles on it. The shocks/struts were BLOWN OUT and the car was a floppy, borderline dangerous mess. I couldn’t believe how bad it was.

Most of the Ford OEM dampers, across the entire fleet don’t last much longer than 25K miles. My 2012 Brembo car only has 15K miles on it and there is already no rebound left in the dampers. My 2012 F-150 has 18K miles on it and it’s dampers are already blown out.

Get yourself a inexpensive set of dampers and change everything at the same time. That way you won't have to do it twice.

My $.02

 

[07TGGT]

OP, here is a good deal on Koni Yellow Struts and Shocks with GT500 Strut Mounts.
http://www.s197forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108953

 

[TexasBlownV8]

Austin, c'mon, man. Here you have nearby, a S197 expert...
It's all easy. If your strut mounts are not popping, re-use them.

The bigger question, what are you doing for shocks and struts? You need to change those at the same time if you still got stockers.

 

[Synyster06Gates]

Austin, c'mon, man. Here you have nearby, a S197 expert...
It's all easy. If your strut mounts are not popping, re-use them.

The bigger question, what are you doing for shocks and struts? You need to change those at the same time if you still got stockers.

I just wanted to know what I was talking about by the time I asked you for help

I didn't think I'd have to change everything at once... I planned on running the stock shocks/struts for a while. Doing it all together is going to make it a whole lot more expensive than I can afford at the moment. Think I could get by with stock shocks/struts for 6 months to a year? Pulling it apart again wouldn't be an issue after I see/do it once.

 

[86GT351]

Got it! Thanks everyone. Guess I'll spring for the GT500 mounts.

And once they are installed, get the car re-aligned!

 

[mikeysgt]

I just wanted to know what I was talking about by the time I asked you for help

I didn't think I'd have to change everything at once... I planned on running the stock shocks/struts for a while. Doing it all together is going to make it a whole lot more expensive than I can afford at the moment. Think I could get by with stock shocks/struts for 6 months to a year? Pulling it apart again wouldn't be an issue after I see/do it once.

You can make it longer if you want. I went over 100k miles on my stock crap until finally getting some MM plates and koni shocks/struts and I wish I had changed them out at 1 mile. The difference in ride is very noticeable. Especially when yours are as beat up and old as mine were.

 

[NotQuik]

And once they are installed, get the car re-aligned!

Agreed, but i'd let them settle for a couple weeks before hand.