So I will be replacing the front struts (OEM to OEM) as my right strut makes loud knocks on the road bumps. Seems like a worn out top strut mount, but will be replacing the whole thing anyways.
I’ve noticed (possibly placebo) that the front of my car is a liiitle lifted compared to the back. I don’t know but every FiST I see on the forums with claimed stock suspension just seems lower than mine to me. Do you think that’s caused by one strut being worse and more worn out than another (if that’s even the case)? And do you think it will be any lower if there are two new struts? Will you also advise me to go with the aftermarket springs?
I’m really sorry for such a dumb question, I wish I was a mechanic myself to sort such small things out
Considering the age of the shock, the upper foam spring pad on the rear is likely worn out or disintegrated if it’s still the original. The Whoosh-branded version will last longer than the OEM without raising the rear. The Powerflex version will raise the rear slightly if you’re sticking with OEM height.
In the pictures, it looks fine to me . This is something you often see on many cars—they tend to appear more lifted in the front than in the back because the front wheel well cutout is usually larger to provide enough clearance when the wheels are fully turned. If you check the side skirts, they seem parallel to the ground, so it seems fine.
As for the spring choice, going with some good aftermarket lowered springs makes a lot of sense. It improves the look and handling decently (not as much as proper coilovers, but you’ll definitely notice the difference). Plus, high-quality aftermarket parts from brands like Eibach or H&R are often cheaper than OEM Ford springs, making it an easy choice.
I’ve had Swift Spec R springs on mine with Whoosh Motorsports rear spring pads for years, and it still rides great. I’ve never needed an alignment either.
. This is something you often see on many cars—they tend to appear more lifted in the front than in the back because the front wheel well cutout is usually larger to provide enough clearance when the wheels are fully turned. If you check the side skirts, they seem parallel to the ground, so it seems fine.