Mach-E Rally Springs installed on 2022 (non-PE) GT - comprehensive(ish) review

[markboris]

No kidding. I managed to get everything aligned but then the spring was about half inch away from the bottom seat stop after all the back and forth. Time to disassemble again

As John said, it is very difficult. I assume you removed the nut on lateral arm to allow the large bolt to come out. I never worry about the back side and if it is aligned. I only try to get the bolt side aligned. You will never get it where it goes in straight at the beginning. Just try to get the end of the bolt started in the hole and the bolt will have to be at a slight angle to do this. Using a 18mm open end wrench you can get it going. Do not worry about the threads on the bolt becoming damaged, as they won't. Once you get the bolt in then you can deal with it getting aligned with the back side so you can put the nut on. I cannot tell you how many I have done but it's well over 40 by now.

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[Track9979]

I was able to get the big bolt inserted without removing or loosening any additional connections. Ran out of time to do the fronts. I did notice due to the length of the spring, its harder to align the spring initially since the LCA is pushed down pretty far. Also when trying to align the knuckle to the LCA, by twisting the support underneath (in my case a floor jack) to align the LCA, it torques the spring seat, and i noticed that the bottom seat ends up somewhat out of position. I'll ride it a bit and see if it evens out, if not, may ask the alignment shop to mess with it. Or maybe try and use a spring compressor if it fits. @markboris more power to you for helping members do this.

Also, funny enough i was looking at this thread, and the LCA/knuckle bolt is inserted in reverse, which may be easier in retrospect. https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...pension-with-kw-v3-coilovers-on-mach-e.20904/

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Glad you got the rears done! Hopefully the car drives ok with the rears taller & softer than the fronts. Best of luck with the fronts when you do them. They're much, much easier, though you do need a spring compression tool to do the installation.

 

[markboris]

I was able to get the big bolt inserted without removing or loosening any additional connections. Ran out of time to do the fronts. I did notice due to the length of the spring, its harder to align the spring initially since the LCA is pushed down pretty far. Also when trying to align the knuckle to the LCA, by twisting the support underneath (in my case a floor jack) to align the LCA, it torques the spring seat, and i noticed that the bottom seat ends up somewhat out of position. I'll ride it a bit and see if it evens out, if not, may ask the alignment shop to mess with it. Or maybe try and use a spring compressor if it fits. @markboris more power to you for helping members do this.

Also, funny enough i was looking at this thread, and the LCA/knuckle bolt is inserted in reverse, which may be easier in retrospect. https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...pension-with-kw-v3-coilovers-on-mach-e.20904/

I had noticed that LCA/knuckle bolt was inserted in reverse in those KW kit photos a few years back and have been asked by members when working on their cars, why I don't reinstall the bolt the opposite way I took it out. I tell them because if Ford wanted the bolt installed that way, that is the way I will reinstall it. Now, I personally don't see a reason why it can't be installed reversed but that is now how I do things. I will install them the way I took it out. The service manual shows the bolt the same direction as how it is in the car and I don't change it.

As John said above, the fronts are much easier. 90 min or less and you will be done. Make sure to replace the splined front strut to wheel assembly bolts with regular bolts or at least one of them with an adjustable camber bolt so that the camber can be adjusted when you go to get the alignment.

 

[GOZ_028]

OK, I've been lurking around here long enough, I have been debating this upgrade since I spotted the thread. I pulled the trigger and ordered the rally springs and Eibach sway bars. A place called 541 Motorsports has a couple sets in stock, they are in Grants Pass, OR (I am in Oregon as well, so should have them this weekend). Thanks to everyone that has posted so much useful information, you all know who you are as do the rest of us, thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

[Track9979]

Glad you got the rears done! Hopefully the car drives ok with the rears taller & softer than the fronts. Best of luck with the fronts when you do them. They're much, much easier, though you do need a spring compression tool to do the installation.

With just the rears the car was much softer over speed bumps but still had the front/back bouncing. Fronts were definitely more straightforward.

 

[markboris]

great review!

hope someone with a GT w/magneride tries the rally springs and reports back. that would seem like the ideal setup for someone who drives on bad/bumpy streets and wants a smoother ride -- but having magneride (and eibach sway bars) keep things sporty when throwing it into corners!

Two members here with MagneRide and Rally springs. Austin and myself.

Not sure if you saw Austin's review of the Rally springs/Eibach sway bars we installed in his GTPE but here you go:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ehensive-ish-review.46670/page-8#post-1020681

I never posted a review after I installed Rally springs in mine (second Mach-E I've done with MagneRide) since I DID NOT do this for comfort. I installed them because I needed to increase the height an inch do to taller/wider tires and fender flares I've installed. Needed the clearance so that the tires would not rub the fender flares. After driving this car over 1000 miles with the Rally springs, there is NO WAY I would go back to the stock springs. There was no loss in handling which I was expecting and the car rides SO much better. I've installed Rally springs in 9 Mach-E's (soon to be 10) and every one of us has seen a good improvement in the ride.

 

[jksu]

Two members here with MagneRide and Rally springs. Austin and myself.

Not sure if you saw Austin's review of the Rally springs/Eibach sway bars we installed in his GTPE but here you go:
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ehensive-ish-review.46670/page-8#post-1020681

I never posted a review after I installed Rally springs in mine (second Mach-E I've done with MagneRide) since I DID NOT do this for comfort. I installed them because I needed to increase the height an inch do to taller/wider tires and fender flares I've installed. Needed the clearance so that the tires would not rub the fender flares. After driving this car over 1000 miles with the Rally springs, there is NO WAY I would go back to the stock springs. There was no loss in handling which I was expecting and the car rides SO much better. I've installed Rally springs in 9 Mach-E's (soon to be 10) and every one of us has seen a good improvement in the ride.

wish i knew about the rally springs when i had the sway bars put in, maybe saved some labor, but these are definitely on my upgrade list!

 

[markboris]

You would not have saved that much labor. In the rear, you don't touch the sway bars to do the springs and in the front you only have to remove the upper sway bar end link to do those springs. However, you still need to lift the car and remove all the wheels so there is that.

 

[jksu]

thanks for the info mark!

springs just ordered from tasca.

getting pilot sports as4s tomorrow to replace the worn stock pirellis (especially with all the rain lately…). really looking forward to the tires but also look forward to the springs a few weeks after that

merry christmas everyone!

 

[markboris]

jksu, there are minor differences when changing out springs/bars on a car with Magneride but nothing that adds a lot more time in labor.

1. There is a height sensor at each corner. The front ones need to be removed/reinstalled in order to install the sway bar. The rear ones need to be removed/reinstalled in order to install the springs.

2. When removing the front struts to replace the springs, since they are active they have a connector that has to be removed/reinstalled.

3. There is a VDM level calibration that can be done but is NOT required after you change the height on a MagneRide system. It takes 30 seconds to perform if you or someone you know has FDRS. If not, sometime when you take the car to the dealer, you can have them do this. Again, it literally takes 30 seconds to perform this calibration. And again, it is not mandatory. You will not get any warning codes or anything if you don't have this done.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

@markboris, we all greatly appreciate your insights and help on this forum.

I’m ordering parts for the Rally springs replacement on a 2022 CA Route-1 AWD, ER. I’ve got the springs and adjustable camber bolts ordered and have the anti-sway bars on order (though they’re out of stock at Tire Rack). What’s not clear to me is if I also need/want to order the 1/4” spacers. Are those necessary to recover the factory rake when replacing the stock springs with Rally springs on an ER AWD?

Thanks!

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

@markboris, we all greatly appreciate your insights and help on this forum.

I’m ordering parts for the Rally springs replacement on a 2022 CA Route-1 AWD, ER. I’ve got the springs and adjustable camber bolts ordered and have the anti-sway bars on order (though they’re out of stock at Tire Rack). What’s not clear to me is if I also need/want to order the 1/4” spacers. Are those necessary to recover the factory rake when replacing the stock springs with Rally springs on an ER AWD?

Thanks!

Wait for Mark to respond to be sure, but I think those are only needed on non ER-battery models.

 

[markboris]

@markboris, we all greatly appreciate your insights and help on this forum.

I’m ordering parts for the Rally springs replacement on a 2022 CA Route-1 AWD, ER. I’ve got the springs and adjustable camber bolts ordered and have the anti-sway bars on order (though they’re out of stock at Tire Rack). What’s not clear to me is if I also need/want to order the 1/4” spacers. Are those necessary to recover the factory rake when replacing the stock springs with Rally springs on an ER AWD?

Thanks!

John is correct. Only needed for Standard battery, AWD.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

John is correct. Only needed for Standard battery, AWD.

Thanks for the confirmation!

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