Ride control

[JAFO]

Do all SC's have the adjustable ride control, or was that an option? Is this prone to failure, or at about what age do they typically need replacing? I'd imagine they're fairly pricey. Shocks aren't usually a difficult thing to swap out, but I haven't done it on a T Bird.

[Dustin Yenny]

All 1989-1995 Super Coupes and 1989-1990 XR-7s came standard with the automatic ride control. I believe replacement shocks run around $250 for the front and $250 for the rears or something in the vacinity of that. The rears are easy to change but the fronts are more involved as you will need to remove the shock from the spring, etc...

I wouldn't say that there is a time period to replace them as it would probably depend on how well the car was cared for, Northeastern car, etc.....??? My one owner '89 SC had 180K on the original shocks and the ride was beautiful and most suspension parts were original. On the other hand, I have heard of some shocks needing replacing at less than 100K.

[JAFO]

Thanks!

[fast Ed]

The original SC shocks seem to last longer in my experience than most others, they are a pretty quality piece from Tokico I think. It seems they will go 80 -100,000 mile before they are dead, which is about twice as long as many other OE shocks.

For various replacements, try www.shox.com


cheers
Ed Nicholson
SCCoO

[Bill McNeil]

My stockers went to 140,000km, and even then they were adequate on the firm setting. Tociko makes a good product, and I bought factory replacements again, even to use with my lowering springs.

[bored6]

I have a 92 with 75,000 miles. Shocks are still good although I did have to replace an actuator about 5,000 miles ago. I had it done at the dealer, and the part was $250. I've never heard any comments about whether the actuators were prone to failure or not.

[The Big D]

Mine has 114k and its kinda bouncy, but firm works great still and makes a big difference, never been replaced either.