Comments on a suspension modification

[Elmst-e]

I have recently done a modification to the suspension on our '22 premium AWD ER and thought I"d comment on the change. I posted questions a while back about the steps necessary and Mark Boris was nice enough to explain in detail what was needed. I found a well regarded mechanic in town who was interested in doing the work so decided to make the change.
I ordered Eibach progressive springs, part # E10-35-054-04-22 and at Mark"s suggestion, adjustable camber bolts for the front end. The mechanic said he felt more comfortable, from past experience, also replacing the front top bearings. This seemed like a reasonable request to me.
With an alignment, it took a day for him to do the work. It ended up he did not need the camber bolt to do the alignment. In a follow-up email, Mark said the bolts were not necessary but made the alignment easier. The bolt were only $35.00 so not any concern. The springs were $375.00, top bearings $85.00 and labor was $880.00 for $1345.00.
So, what"s the verdict?
First off, I also installed Hankook Ion tires the same week, although I don't think these would have much influence on the ride quality. The car has a little more "rakish" look as it sets lower than before. I'm going to have to be more careful pulling up close to those Tesla SC on our trip coming up.
We made the change because the car has always had a harsh ride, not terrible, but hard enough we felt we wanted to try and soften it as we have a 2500 mile trip next month. Nobody would call the ride soft or "plush" now. It's still a firm drive but the change has taken the edge off the bumps. While it was a fair amount to spend, we intend to keep the car for quite a while so feel it was a good investment. I would not call this a "game-changer" modification, but it did make what my wife and I think is a terrific, fun car a little nicer than before.
Thanks to Mark Boris for his suggestions!

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[RMoore]

I have recently done a modification to the suspension on our '22 premium AWD ER and thought I"d comment on the change. I posted questions a while back about the steps necessary and Mark Boris was nice enough to explain in detail what was needed. I found a well regarded mechanic in town who was interested in doing the work so decided to make the change.
I ordered Eibach progressive springs, part # E10-35-054-04-22 and at Mark"s suggestion, adjustable camber bolts for the front end. The mechanic said he felt more comfortable, from past experience, also replacing the front top bearings. This seemed like a reasonable request to me.
With an alignment, it took a day for him to do the work. It ended up he did not need the camber bolt to do the alignment. In a follow-up email, Mark said the bolts were not necessary but made the alignment easier. The bolt were only $35.00 so not any concern. The springs were $375.00, top bearings $85.00 and labor was $880.00 for $1345.00.
So, what"s the verdict?
First off, I also installed Hankook Ion tires the same week, although I don't think these would have much influence on the ride quality. The car has a little more "rakish" look as it sets lower than before. I'm going to have to be more careful pulling up close to those Tesla SC on our trip coming up.
We made the change because the car has always had a harsh ride, not terrible, but hard enough we felt we wanted to try and soften it as we have a 2500 mile trip next month. Nobody would call the ride soft or "plush" now. It's still a firm drive but the change has taken the edge off the bumps. While it was a fair amount to spend, we intend to keep the car for quite a while so feel it was a good investment. I would not call this a "game-changer" modification, but it did make what my wife and I think is a terrific, fun car a little nicer than before.
Thanks to Mark Boris for his suggestions!

Thanks for posting. Just curious, do you have a sense of how the bounciness compares to your original suspension?

 

[Elmst-e]

Thanks for posting. Just curious, do you have a sense of how the bounciness compares to your original suspension?

A rather subjective thing I suppose. As I stated, it’s better, not an enormous difference and if you did the mod. thinking you would have a different car, you would be dissapoined. But it does smooth the ride enough to be noticeable. I realize that’s not a strong endorsement, but we feel it was worth it.

 

[jksu]

my old volvo c70 was based on a ford suspension and it was notorious for having fragile front top bearings so that whenever shocks/springs are dropped, they tend to self-destruct so new installs were best to include new top bearings, so i see where your mechanic might have asked for that.

that said, for the mach-e, when i did the same springs upgrade you did above with my previous 2021 premium rwd, i didn't get new top bearings or the camber bolt and it all seemed to go fine. no harm of course getting them, but while i understand your mechanic's concern, probably based on experience, it may be less of an issue with this platform.

also labor varies by location but my local tire place charged $500 to install the eibach springs and swaybars, just as another data point for those considering the upgrade.

i loved my upgrade as well on my 21 premium rwd. definitely smooths it out and am considering still doing it, even on the GT PE that has magneride...

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

Is there a reason you chose the springs for the GT rather than Part #: E10-35-054-03-22 designed specifically for the Premium AWD? Also what are the top bearings?

 

[markboris]

Is there a reason you chose the springs for the GT rather than Part #: E10-35-054-03-22 designed specifically for the Premium AWD? Also what are the top bearings?

Because the goal here is to obtain a less harsh ride and the only springs that will deliver this are ones that are progressive as opposed to linear and the GT springs are the only ones that are progressive. That is why no matter what model Mach-E, GT, GTPE, Select, Premium, etc, the GT springs are the ones to get for a slightly smoother ride.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

Because the goal here is to obtain a less harsh ride and the only springs that will deliver this are ones that are progressive as opposed to linear and the GT springs are the only ones that are progressive. That is why no matter what model Mach-E, GT, GTPE, Select, Premium, etc, the GT springs are the ones to get for a slightly smoother ride.

It's confusing - I now recall Erik explaining to me the Eibach GT springs are dual rate and the Premium kit springs are single rate - but both are listed as "progressive" on the Eibach site.

 

[markboris]

It's confusing - I now recall Erik explaining to me the Eibach GT springs are dual rate and the Premium kit springs are single rate - but both are listed as "progressive" on the Eibach site.

Erik is correct the GT springs are dual rate (progressive). Eibach's site is incorrect. The Premium springs are progressive in the front, but linear in the rear. The GT spring set is the only one that is progressive front and rear.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

@Elmst-e can you share a photo or two showing the rakish new look of your vehicle with the Eibach springs?

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