Suspension questions

[Elmst-e]

I have followed several threads concerning suspension modifications over the last few months and find they can be confusing at times as they tend to wander a bit. I have some specific questions that I hope the forum can address. I have a 22 premium er awd. It has been a great car with the only concern being the, at times, harsh ride as others have commented on.
We have some serious traveling in the coming year so I’d like to look at changing the ride quality. I am looking at a set of eibach springs, the pro series which lowers the car a small amount. I Have talked to a well regarded shop in town and they can do the work for me. They have recommended replacing the top bearing plates along with the springs and then doing an alignment. I do not see replacement struts listed on the Eibach website so these are my specific questions on the project.

1- Will replacing the springs alone improve the ride enough to be noticeable?
2- Do top bearing plate replacement and alignment seem to be good follow-ups to the spring replacement?
3- Is it necessary to do any reprogramming of any software along with the modifications.
4- Does this affect the warranty in any way?

I can do the whole project for a little over $1000.00. That seems a reasonable amount if it will noticeably improve the ride. I would greatly appreciate comments and suggestions.

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[AliRafiee]

Paging @markboris ?

 

[markboris]

Hi Kcarea, yes reading the many posts on suspension tuning can sometimes be confusing.

1. Replacing the springs with the proper ones will make a noticeable difference in the ride. It’s not huge but it takes the edge off of the firm ride. Many have replaced their springs with the Eibach’s and as far as I know, not one person said it didn’t make a difference. Everyone seems to like the improvement. While Eibach makes springs for different model Mach-E’s only ONE set is progressive and you need to buy that set no matter what trim you have. It is part number E10-35-054-04-22. You need their progressive springs to get the better ride and that is the only set that has them.

2. You do not need to have the top bearing plate replaced. I’ve replaced at least 7 sets of springs if not more and never had an issue not replacing it. Maybe they want to sell you more parts? Yes you have to have it aligned. It’s mandatory as it will be out of whack after changing springs and lowering the car. The rear has adjustable camber but the front does not. I would recommend buying adjustable camber bolts for the front and have the shop install them. This is what I do when I change out the springs. You have to remove the OEM bolts anyway and you just replace them with the adjustable ones. There are two bolts in each side but you only need to replace one bolt on each side. They come in a set of two and that’s all you need. This is the proper one for the Mach-E:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CB3QUI?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

3. Nothing has to be reprogrammed.

4. The only way it would affect the warranty is if the springs directly caused whatever issue the car might be having. I can’t see the springs causing any issues.

 

[Elmst-e]

Hi Kcarea, yes reading the many posts on suspension tuning can sometimes be confusing.

1. Replacing the springs with the proper ones will make a noticeable difference in the ride. It’s not huge but it takes the edge off of the firm ride. Many have replaced their springs with the Eibach’s and as far as I know, not one person said it didn’t make a difference. Everyone seems to like the improvement. While Eibach makes springs for different model Mach-E’s only ONE set is progressive and you need to buy that set no matter what trim you have. It is part number E10-35-054-04-22. You need their progressive springs to get the better ride and that is the only set that has them.

2. You do not need to have the top bearing plate replaced. I’ve replaced at least 7 sets of springs if not more and never had an issue not replacing it. Maybe they want to sell you more parts? Yes you have to have it aligned. It’s mandatory as it will be out of whack after changing springs and lowering the car. The rear has adjustable camber but the front does not. I would recommend buying adjustable camber bolts for the front and have the shop install them. This is what I do when I change out the springs. You have to remove the OEM bolts anyway and you just replace them with the adjustable ones. There are two bolts in each side but you only need to replace one bolt on each side. They come in a set of two and that’s all you need. This is the proper one for the Mach-E:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000CB3QUI?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

3. Nothing has to be reprogrammed.

4. The only way it would affect the warranty is if the springs directly caused whatever issue the car might be having. I can’t see the springs causing any issues.

Thanks for the detailed reply. I do believe I will go ahead with the modification and I do feel confident that it will do what I want. I will post a review when it’s done.
Again, thanks for the the answers!

 

[janstubbs]

I have followed several threads concerning suspension modifications over the last few months and find they can be confusing at times as they tend to wander a bit. I have some specific questions that I hope the forum can address. I have a 22 premium er awd. It has been a great car with the only concern being the, at times, harsh ride as others have commented on.
We have some serious traveling in the coming year so I’d like to look at changing the ride quality. I am looking at a set of eibach springs, the pro series which lowers the car a small amount. I Have talked to a well regarded shop in town and they can do the work for me. They have recommended replacing the top bearing plates along with the springs and then doing an alignment. I do not see replacement struts listed on the Eibach website so these are my specific questions on the project.

1- Will replacing the springs alone improve the ride enough to be noticeable?
2- Do top bearing plate replacement and alignment seem to be good follow-ups to the spring replacement?
3- Is it necessary to do any reprogramming of any software along with the modifications.
4- Does this affect the warranty in any way?

I can do the whole project for a little over $1000.00. That seems a reasonable amount if it will noticeably improve the ride. I would greatly appreciate comments and suggestions.

In my opinion none of these items will help and lower springs likely to hurt. I had an alignment done because my front tires were wearing excessively on the inside edge. The alignment shop says it was in specs, and the only thing that can be adjusted is towiin. Negative camber cannot be adjusted.

 

[markboris]

In my opinion none of these items will help and lower springs likely to hurt. I had an alignment done because my front tires were wearing excessively on the inside edge. The alignment shop says it was in specs, and the only thing that can be adjusted is towiin. Negative camber cannot be adjusted.

That may be your opinion but factually the progressive Eibach lowering springs give a softer ride that has been proven by myself and many members here.

the front camber can easily be adjusted by replacing the factory splined strut bolts with regular bolts. This is recommended in the Ford repair manual to adjust front camber. I recommend the adjustable camber bolt kit because it’s easier for the alignment person. To adjust the camber with those instead of the regular bolts.

 

[mkazen]

Jumping on to this conversation - if I purchased the springs and the adjustable bolts, would Ford install it for me or do I have to find another repair shop to do it? What would I look for when determining that? Estimated prices (north of Chicago)? The Springs are $355 and the bolts are like $28. Appreciate your advice as the ride is a bit too stiff.

 

[markboris]

Jumping on to this conversation - if I purchased the springs and the adjustable bolts, would Ford install it for me or do I have to find another repair shop to do it? What would I look for when determining that? Estimated prices (north of Chicago)? The Springs are $355 and the bolts are like $28. Appreciate your advice as the ride is a bit too stiff.

Ford dealers don't normally install aftermarket parts in their cars. I've heard of some doing it and I do know one here in the SF Bay Area that will do this but only because I personally know the Service manager. My recommendation would be to take it to a quality repair shop that you trust. It is not a difficult job (I've replaced at least 7 sets in a Mach-E) it just takes time and the proper tools. Both tire shops in our town, Big O and Les Schwab replace springs and will do the alignment afterwards. Just make sure you get these exact springs no matter what trim Mach-E you have as they are the only ones that are progressive and will take the edge off of the harsh ride. https://eibach.com/product/E10-35-0...fp60WSapiBY-DeQrUVGN0qkypr-OTnVgEv0BMWerv99yx

 

[boomslang]

@markboris

Eibach's site now shows a PRO spring kit for the GT AWD PP with magnaride:

E10-35-054-05-22

Progressive and lowers front 1.2", rear 1.1"

I would assume this would be a better fit for this model versus the E10-35-054-04-22 part number?

 

[markboris]

@markboris

Eibach's site now shows a PRO spring kit for the GT AWD PP with magnaride:

E10-35-054-05-22

Progressive and lowers front 1.2", rear 1.1"

I would assume this would be a better fit for this model versus the E10-35-054-04-22 part number?

That spring kit for the Magneride suspension came out in March and I’ve mentioned it a couple of times in other threads. It’s basically the same spring rates as the non-Magneride spring kit however the front springs are linear Instead of progressive. Being linear defeats the purpose of obtaining a smother ride. Also since you can’t change out the bump stops on the shocks, it doesn’t come with any. Basically they made a set of springs that won’t lower the car as much as the other kits so it doesn’t bottom out the bump stops on the shocks as quick. While this kit works a bit better for the Magneride suspension, if your goal is to soften the ride, you’ll want to stick with the E10-35-054-04-22 kit.

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