Shocks or Sway Bars first?

[user 64117]

What should i replace first Shocks or Sway Bars? If i dont get a chance to upgrade the other, will it be doing the first upgrade harm?



thanks in advance,

DanG

 

[Gypsy me]

Try shocks first. you might be fine with the feel and not want to change the sway bar.



...some members will agree some will disagree.

 

[Todd Z]

Try sway bars first. you might be fine with the feel and not want to change the shocks.



...some members will agree some will disagree.



LOL

Todd Z

 

[Gypsy me]

TODD :lol::lol::lol:

 

[Dreman]

Shocks first. They're a normal maintenance item. Might as well get them out of the way since you will have to change them anyway.



Oh, and if you didn't get the previous messages, Todd sells sway bars!

 

[Sal Adinolfi]

IMHO.



Shocks first. ( If the tires are starting to wear or cup) because you will need new tires too if you do the sway bar first.



then sway bar.

 

[A K]

I say: "Yes." While you're under the front and rear, why not accomplish both in one shot (assuming the funds permit).

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Shocks and front sway bar end links.

 

[Fudged Undies]

Shocks.

 

[EddieS'04]

Shocks..

 

[user 64117]

Great. Shocks first.



I was looking at Rancho and Bilstein. I am looking for a Street performer, what shock is best?



thanks,

DanG

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

You'll be happy with either the Rancho RS9000X adjustable or the Bilsteins.

 

[Matthew W]

Shocks ... Bilsteins in particular ... and the front sway bar end-links and bushings ...

 

[Gavin Allan]

Shocks



Pro-Comp ES9000s

 

[Richard L]

You should change the component that is most associated with the charactaristic you are trying to improve.



If your ride us bad (like is too bouncy or soft), then change the shocks, since that is what will effect your overall ride quality the most.



If the ride is OK, but your vehicle leans too much on the corners, then change the sway-bar, since it has no effect on the ride during normal driving down the road.



Weak shocks can also effect handling and cornering, as well as cause abnormal tire wear, and the OEM shocks are pretty bad when they are new. So since the shocks effect both ride and handling I would usually recommend that you buy some good quality shocks and then see how you like the ride and handling. If you want more cornering control, then add a bigger sway-bar, but putting on a sway-bar with wimpy shocks will take away from what the sway-bar can do



...Rich

 

[Adam Smith]

This is just my opinion, but I was a bit surprised after changing each: sway bar did WAY more than I ever imagined it would; shocks did less. I installed the EE sway bar quite a while back. I later realized after a near-accident that I would have rolled without it. The handling is dramatically improved and I honestly would not let a close friend or relative drive a Sportrac without one. The stock design is dangerously flawed.

I just changed to Rancho RSX's; did the rear first, then the fronts a couple weeks later. I can tell a difference, but nowhere near as much as when I changed the sway bar. The shocks were 4 years old, seemed to be in decent condition when removed, but of course the vehicle bounced badly over speed bumps, etc. They are low quality shocks to be sure. I drive freeway, around town, plenty of speed bumps, but hardly ever off road. The new ride is quite improved, but I guess I was expecting more as compared to the sway bar.

Just my personal experience.

 

[swshawaii]

If you back track and research the Gen 1 ST's tendencies to roll in an emergency maneuver, it is shocking why Ford didn't correct the deficiencies of the OEM Rear Sway Bar.

I do agree with replacing the shocks first, only because they wear out, the RSB does not.

 

[Bill Barber]

Your there, do both at the same time.

As a side note, buddy of mine rolled His trac 3 yrs ago with both upgraded shocks and EE bar.

BUT the shop installed the bar upside down, which is not uncommon.

was never determined if the upside down bar contributed to the rollover.

 

[David Ponder]

Copied from my other post today...

I was driving on an unfamiliar highway in my 01 very early one morning this spring... The exit came up fast and I (Without thinking) cut hard right and hit the brakes hard at the same time. It was not a cloverleaf, but it was a 25 mph curve to the right. I hit the exit at 65 MPH, the ST leaned HARD and nose dived at the same time. Tires were absolutely screaming, ABS was pulsing big time, but I made the exit, and did not roll the ST. 2 things came from this...



1) I was just plain stupid for not paying more attention, and for trying to make the exit in the first place. I like to think that I am a careful driver, but everyone makes a stupid move occasionally.

2) I was EXTREMELY thankful that I had replaced the shocks and BOTH sway bars with the upgraded ones. I fully believe that these kept my ST from rolling in that situation.



This was the second time the ST had every right to roll, but did not. (First time my wife was driving and we ended up in a ditch buy right side up.) I posted about that a few years ago, as som of you remember when my father was fighting cancer, and I had not slept in 3 days. It was then that I decided to upgraded the sway bars. (I had already done the shocks)



The above said, I guess I do have a biased opinion... But I think you should replace the shocks AND the sway bars. It is well worth it, just in case.

 

[Rodger Tellefson]

Dave,



If you upgraded to the ADDCO front sway bar your good with the front end links. All you need to do now is to get the MOOG rear end link bushing repair kit.