Ok, just had a shop install the kit M-3000-ZX3A and now my car looks to be about an inch or more too tall all the way around.
With the original setup when I pushed down on the front of the car I could not get much movement now it is easy to push down on the car and it moves a good amount. Driving the car also feels like a softer ride not stiff and rigid as before.
I have owned this car since 2004 it has 47K mile on it I had a blown front right strut and was suggested to get all 4 done since the car was 8 years old. I am not sure this kit is the factory setup for my car it looks and feels like a stock focus now. Can anyone help me identify my old parts to compare to the new parts? Did they make a change on the 2004 SVT model?
No change between 2002 and 2004 SVT's suspension wise. Are you sure they used genuine Ford Racing SVT parts? Did they do the final torqueing while the suspension was drooping. This is a very common occurance and causes bushings to bind up and the car ends up sitting higher until everything settles (which can take some time).
I would agree with Geezer here (I usually do). That's the correct part number for the kit, so the problem is either in whether or not that's actually what you got, or the shop messed up the install. There's a break-in period where the springs will settle a little bit, but that shouldn't make the whole thing softer.
I don't know if it is relevant, but the last SVT shocks/struts I bought (from Tousley) were made in China.
Also, I am wondering at what mileage should one replace springs as well as shocks and struts? I, too, have a blown strut.
Thank you.
How can I tell what I have? Steve said my old spring were sagging that's why it looks different. I have photos from when I bought it new and over the years I cannot see any big changes. Also I could never get a regular floor jack under the car I had to buy a low profile racing jack but now I can slide my suv 3 ton jack under it. After driving it more it is no where near as stiff quick lane changed and tight turns the car/body roll is so much worse and not tight like before.
The lack of body roll could have been from the car sagging a bit, less travel to lean on? I know my SVT is lower than my ZX3 was with the same suspension (SVT kit). The front looks real low but the back is just as high as any other SVT I've seen. It probably was tighten with the suspension drooping. It may just need time to settle also. You could always swap the springs out with your old ones and keep the new shocks and struts?
Every set of springs has a break in period, when I put my saleen springs on I swear the car had no difference in ride height compared to my broken in SVT springs. Drove on it for like 3-4 months and they settled right down.
Wow your front end is so much higher than mine is new and in 06'. I'd give it a little bit of time to settle and then see how it is. Have you replaced your sway bar bushings ever?
Isn't that the part number for the standard Focus suspension and NOT SVT bits?
Certainly doesn't look like an SVT ride height. The changes you describe are exactly what a standard suspension would feel like when hopping out of an SVT...
SVT suspension always had that nice euro front to rear rake...yours does not. It looks like a standard car.
Yeah...somethings wrong. You should be seeing an improvement in performance. No degradation.
Boxed wrong?
I'd verify part numbers individually and go from there.
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