Suspension upgrades 2003-2005 | Ford Thunderbird forum club group 1955-2005 models

  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

  • Click here to remove google ads from the site
  • Click " Like/Thanks" at the bottom of a member's post to reward and thank them for their response! Points are added to their profile.

  • 2002-05 Owners. As of August 2022 there is now an entire suspension kit for sale! Scroll down to the bottom of the first post click here.

  • Get rid of swirls and minor paint surface scratches with this Polish & Compounds kit. Click here to read more!.

Suspension upgrades 2003-2005

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hayuk!
  • Start date Start date
H

Hayuk!

Bronze Member
Reaction score
9
Hello everybody!

New to the forum. I've had lots of fun reading up on the '02-'05 Thunderbirds. Has anybody replaced their shocks/struts? I am looking for something a little firmer. My '04 Pacific Coast (#221) only has 23,000 miles on it, but it seems a little loose, especially in the rear. I am not interested in lowering the suspension. I would like to keep the stock springs and install firmer shocks. All I've been able to find are OEM spec KYBs or coil-overs that slam the car down too much. I appreciate all your wisdom and shared experience.

rickc

June 2020 Moderator Note- Check out this thread for shocks/struts- https://forums.fordthunderbirdforum...-sway-bars-tie-rods-2002-2003-2004-2005.9490/

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I’m not sure this will help you too much, but I essentially rebuilt the rear suspension of my 2004 Thunderbird last summer. I was only trying to address some squeaks from the bushings, but since it is an all aluminum set up I had to replace entire components. I’m the first to admit that I over-repaired things. My thought was that since things were already torn apart, why not replace all the components? New shocks, stabilizer bar, toe links, etc. I used all OEM parts. Naturally the squeaks went away, but the change in handling was incredible. I had roughly 51,000 miles at the time he work was done. The car handles like new now. Things wear out, either from use or from age, and the service I did made a huge difference. Lots of lifetime warranty on the components now, too.
 
Icewine said:
I’m not sure this will help you too much, but I essentially rebuilt the rear suspension of my 2004 Thunderbird last summer. I was only trying to address some squeaks from the bushings, but since it is an all aluminum set up I had to replace entire components. I’m the first to admit that I over-repaired things. My thought was that since things were already torn apart, why not replace all the components? New shocks, stabilizer bar, toe links, etc. I used all OEM parts. Naturally the squeaks went away, but the change in handling was incredible. I had roughly 51,000 miles at the time he work was done. The car handles like new now. Things wear out, either from use or from age, and the service I did made a huge difference. Lots of lifetime warranty on the components now, too.
Click to expand...
Super! I have some hearing loss, so I'm not sure if I've got squeaky bushings. When I can get the car on a lift, like to Borla the exhaust (heh, heh), I'll take a close look at the suspension. Thanks!
 
Hayuk! said:
Hello everybody!

New to the forum. I've had lots of fun reading up on the '02-'05 Thunderbirds. Has anybody replaced their shocks/struts? I am looking for something a little firmer. My '04 Pacific Coast (#221) only has 23,000 miles on it, but it seems a little loose, especially in the rear. I am not interested in lowering the suspension. I would like to keep the stock springs and install firmer shocks. All I've been able to find are OEM spec KYBs or coil-overs that slam the car down too much. I appreciate all your wisdom and shared experience.

rickc
Click to expand...
I had all my stock suspension replace 4 years ago went all stock equipment, it wasn't cheap but it did the job, everything was replaced
 
Hi....I have a 2004 and had to do a full suspension replacement. Their seems to be only two shock manufactures for our cars, Monroe and KYB. I chose KYB as it firmed up the road handling very nicely.

Stew S
 
Aha! That's my goal. A firmer suspension. Thanks!
 
When considering strut, loaded struts are the way most good shops are going when available. The reason you get new springs as well as new struts and all the other components. spring do sag and wear out.
 
I have a 2005 TBird and interested in improving the ride. For us, it is just too rough riding and I would like to smooth it out some. Any suggestions?
 
I put on larger tires and that helped. Keep in mind that with larger tires and the same car weight, that you can use a bit lower tire pressures. That will help the ride, also. I also find that the car is a bit stiffer with the top up and that seems to make for a bit gentler ride.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Scratch
Complete Suspension Needs Replaced
2
Replies
24
Views
9K
donnyonee
D
Back
Top