Thunder10

I have Koni Gold shocks/struts, Eibach Pro springs and alignment bolts that I will be installing this weekend. I have watched a bunch of videos as I have never done suspension work, but it seems pretty straightforward (plus I will be doing it with father-in-law who has done suspension on other vehicles). I do have a couple questions that would have me feeling better about the install, so if you guys have know the answers to the below or have any other tips please feel free to share.

1. Aside from having all the tools (including a spring compressor I will be renting from Pep Boys), I do not need anything else outside of what comes with all of the parts, correct? For instance, and the bump stops are reused from stock and any other hardware.

2. I found the below torque specs, do you know if they are accurate? And, are they any others I should be aware of?

FRONT TORQUE SPECS:

Upper Strut Mount Nuts - 26 lb-ft
Strut to Spindle Bolts - 166 lb-ft
Anti-Sway Bar End Link Nuts - 85 lb-ft

REAR TORQUE SPECS:

Shock lower bolts - 85 lb-ft
Shock upper nuts - 30lb-ft
Anti-Sway Bar End Link Bolts - 85 lb-ft

Any other tips or gotchas that you may have experienced would be great!

bstang14

Torquing the front upper shock nut on the koni yellows is a pita. I made a tool to hold the smaller nut so the outer larger nut can be torqued to spec. Koni specifically says not to use an impact on them. If I can find a pic of the tool I made, I will post. Basically an inner socket to hold the smaller nut with an outer socket to apply the torque to the outer nut.

bstang14

Here it is. The torque wrench is attached to a wrench with a torque adapter designed to allow any wrench be used as a torquing device. The center ratchet passes through the bigger socket and just allows the center nut to be held still and not spin.

Cypress Stang

You will not need to rent the spring compressor if you are lowering the car! I put konis on with the ford racing p springs. Buy new bump stops. They are cheap! Pita to remove your struts to put new bump stops in!

bstang14

I definitely needed the spring compressor. Do not try and remove the old stock ones without one. Very dangerous. True you possibly can get away without one with bigger drop springs on install. My steeda sports required compression for install as well. I used Ford racing bump stops to replace factory stops.

Thunder10

Thanks for the info on that make-shift tool...very helpful.

One other question...Did you use the OEM strut mounts with your install? I have read that since I bought 11-14 Koni struts that I will be ok to use the OEM mounts on my 2014. It seems the GT500 mounts are only needed on a pre-2011 stang, or if you put them on a 2011+ you need to use 05-10 style struts. Does this sound correct?

Really appreciate the help!

Epona

Using the OEM mounts will work on the 11-14 Koni's, just be careful they tend to come apart. Both of sides came apart on me when I lowered my mustang. They snap back together easily, just something you have to look out for. When compressing the spring make sure the bottom of the mount isn't stuck to the spring, just pop it loose with a screwdriver or something if it sticks. I didn't do this, and that's pretty much why they came apart on me.

bstang14

You can pick up the Motion Pro torque adapter from Amazon for about 42.00. Quality tool you will use again.

I used Steeda adjustable upper mounts. Pricey at 320.00ish for the pair but the stock mounts are junk IMO. They will fall apart and the little ball bearings will roll everywhere when you disassemble the strut but you can put them back and reuse the mount if not rotted. If money is not an issue, save the aggravation and get the Steeda uppers.

http://www.amazon.com/Motion-Pro-08-0380-Adjustable-Adapter/dp/B000GZND2Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1438299920&sr=8-2&keywords=motion+pro+torque+adapter