OEM dampers aren't designed to handle shorter springs.
They'll fail pretty quickly and give a very undesireable ride.
Posted via FF Mobile

 

so if I do it right I guess you'd say, and bought a kit that included the shocks and struts, I would be better off?

 

Pretty much. It's easier and cheaper to do it all at once.

I'm not saying it can't be done, but at the same time, people cut their stock springs to lower a car. Can it be done, yes. Would I recomend it, no
Posted via FF Mobile

 

alrighty thanks DarkFire1986!

 

Wow that was fast!

 

I'm considering the same thing. Are there any reputable kits out there and where can I buy them? any kits that I should consider over others. I want something that will very noticeably improve handling and lower the car about 1-1.5 in.

 

What about lowering springs with the ST suspension? Arnt those more of a sport strut?

Im only looking to do 1.5" max if that

 

Generally Eibach states their springs are designed to still use the stock struts.
Most of the struts out there are really stock replacement units.
The only real "performance" units are Koni adjustables and the AGX struts.
A matched spring/strut setup isnt a bad idea. Koni and Eibach make decent ones.
The Cup Kit is really too soft and low, so skip that one.

 

great information, thanks!

 

im pretty sure mike (b16sir1991) mentioned that the ST struts can handle a 1.5" drop..any lower and new struts are highly recomended
ill try and find the thread

 

Here we go, I found it to back up my statement coming from the man himself

Ok, here we go so hold on, lol. The ST dampers are not the same as the SVT. They have a different part number and have a slightly different damping factor than the SVT. However, the FRPP kits are listed as "special". Dont ask what does that mean, i dont know, only that theyre different. It must be an internal thing with them. The ST dampers wont handle "as much" of a drop as the SVT's, but will handle a drop of 1.5" and not be effected. Theyre both made by Tokico. The rear swaybars are a package level item. Most guys dont even realize that the SVT didnt have the biggest swaybars that ever came stock on a Focus, there was a special edition wagon called a "street edition" that had a 1mm larger bar than the svt, The FRPP strut kit for the 2000-2004 cars "is" the SVT struts, but the later cars are not the ST"s, like i said, by part number theyre listed as "special"....

 

After taking the OEM struts off of my project car, I knew they would be in bad shape, but they were completely blown out. The car was running eibach sportlines with OEM dampers.

Granted the car was used and I don't know how long it was running the sportlines. I would say if your car has more than 60K miles on the original struts, they need to be replaced when adding a lowering spring.

 

Get the FRPP kit from Mike. It lowers the car ~1.5". It's basically a re-badged Eibach Pro-kit.

 

Whos Mike? lol sorry and how much does he offer it for?

 

Mike is your best friend! He is known as b16sir1991 on here and he works for Hilbish Ford parts department in KANNAPOLIS, NC. He will take good care of you. You can PM him or call him at (800) 849-0233

 

Thanks, PM'd him

 

the frpp kit is nice and youll like the drop since you only want to go 1.5". thats only as far as i wanted to go so i did the frpp springs with tokico struts and shocks and i love the look and ride. you probably need a set of rear camber bolts for the alignment after you drop it though.....

 

has anyone lowered a 2008 focus on this forum yet? what did they do?

 

Try JPSCOTT713. He has a Black '09 sedan that has the FRPP kit on it.

 

I have a couple questions...

Bottom of this pages shows the 2 diff FRPP kits

SVT Focus Suspension Kit - M-3000-ZX3 List Price $ 305.00

SVT Focus Suspension Kit - M-3000-ZX3A List Price $ 350.00


http://forums.focaljet.com/ford-racing-performance-parts/598496-frpp-focus-suspension-kits.html

Why is the one that comes with the rear sway bar cheaper?

What are the differences between the 2 kits, and which would be better for my 2005 ST?

and each say they lower the car .5", everyone else is telling me they lower the car 1.5"

Which is it? Help would be appreciated

Thanks.

 

They are both SVT drops 1/2-3/4" drop the one for $305 does not give you anassembled strut but a sway bar.

The $350 kit is the same but they assemble struts ( you wont need spring compressors) which also gives you new spring seats(top cap of strut) but no sway bar.

 

don't mean to thread jack but seance everyone is on the subject i found a kit that says it includes front and rear lowering springs 1.5inch, front struts and rear shocks is that all you need or is this kit missing something?[scratch] i'm comparing prices going to pm mike about his kit to

 

how in the world do you put coilovers on??!

 

It's really pretty straightforward and not to difficult if you have the correct tools and know how to use them. There are several "how to's" on this site describing the procedures. Do you have a more specific question or concern?

 

anyone know how much it costs to have springs installed?

 

im lost and new to suspension. so if i bought a lowering kit-1.5 or 2 inches would it be ok to keep stock struts? will i need a cambe kit ect?
thanks

 

you will probably have to get new struts...you should just get the kit from mike, it is 360, and he puts the struts and springs together for you, for the front. you just pop them in.

you will probably need a camber kit, yes...most alignment shops will have this anyways