XR8 Springs & Shocks onto Fairmont Ghia

Abacus · 06-07-2006, 06:30 PM

I'm buying a set of stock Series II XR8 springs and shocks to go onto my Series II Ghia.

Can anybody confirm that these install OK as a direct replacement, and that I don't need to replace anything else at the same time?

ronwest · 06-07-2006, 07:46 PM

I did the same replacement on my AU3 Ghia.

Standard XR shockie heights are ok. You'll be surprised by the different length of the XR coils vs your current Ghia ones.

I didn't buy anything else, but I did paint new shocks and springs the same colour. Looks good.

Also, car now sits a lot nicer ;)

**Papa Smurf** · 06-07-2006, 08:07 PM

Are both cars IRS or live axles?

My Sons AUII Ghia (live axle) I replaced with XR springs and shocks 18 months ago, Major difference

GK · 06-07-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

I did the same replacement on my AU3 Ghia.

Standard XR shockie heights are ok. You'll be surprised by the different length of the XR coils vs your current Ghia ones.

I didn't buy anything else, but I did paint new shocks and springs the same colour. Looks good.

Also, car now sits a lot nicer ;)

What happened to the ride quality? Much better, as well as the lowering effect?

GK

GK · 06-07-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

Are both cars IRS or live axles?

My Sons AUII Ghia (live axle) I replaced with XR springs and shocks 18 months ago, Major difference

What was your experience with the handling and shock absorbsion Papa Smurf? Much better? Please explain!

GK

ronwest · 06-07-2006, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

Are both cars IRS or live axles?

My Ghia (AU3) is IRS.

The springs I got from JC were also from an XR8, so I'm assuming it was IRS as well but to be honest I'm not sure if the IRS and live axle coils are the same or different?

Certainly the rear shocks *are* different.

ronwest · 06-07-2006, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

What happened to the ride quality? Much better, as well as the lowering effect?

Yes, much better ride. Previously it was like a boat wallowing up the road.

I've put good quality shocks in and the ride has improved considerably.

Obviously it handles better as well.

GK · 06-07-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

Yes, much better ride. Previously it was like a boat wallowing up the road.

I've put good quality shocks in and the ride has improved considerably.

Obviously it handles better as well.

Is it heaps better now over bumps?

GK

ronwest · 06-07-2006, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GK

Is it heaps better now over bumps?

It's chalk and cheese.

The car had the shocks replaced (by Ford) at 80,000kms so had done less than 20,000 but I had an offer on some decent shocks so replaced them anyway.

The standard front Ghia coils are much longer but less coil diameter (ie steel diameter) than the AUXR8 coils.

The big difference in the ride (other than general firmness) is the "thump" that you get when hitting a pothole (or whatever) is gone. I guess that's the difference between cheaper and more expensive shocks...

JC · 06-07-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

I did the same replacement on my AU3 Ghia.

Standard XR shockie heights are ok. You'll be surprised by the different length of the XR coils vs your current Ghia ones.

I didn't buy anything else, but I did paint new shocks and springs the same colour. Looks good.

Also, car now sits a lot nicer ;)

Glad to hear that it was worthwhile - to be honest, I wasn't sure how much of an improvement it would be.

For the record, Front coils are interchangeable on all AU models - wagons, sedans utes etc. The rears differ a lot. There are dedicated springs for Utes. Different ones again for wagons, even though they are both leaf springs. IRS have short fat coils, which are different in size and shape to the live axle setup.

SSVPom · 06-07-2006, 11:07 PM

Aren't all Series 2 Fairmont Ghia's IRS and VCT equipped???

Correct me if I'm wrong... !

ClassicAU · 07-07-2006, 08:38 AM

^^^^^^^^this also brings up something i was wondering, wouldnt getting springs form a V8 cause issues when installing them into a 6 cylander in regards to the different weight of the motor? i always thought the V8 springs would make the front of the car sit up higher as the 6 cylander is lighter? or am i just dreaming?

ronwest · 07-07-2006, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClassicAU

^^^^^^^^this also brings up something i was wondering, wouldnt getting springs form a V8 cause issues when installing them into a 6 cylander in regards to the different weight of the motor? i always thought the V8 springs would make the front of the car sit up higher as the 6 cylander is lighter? or am i just dreaming?

According to Ford (and JC) AUXR6 and AUXR8 front coil springs are the same.

Abacus · 07-07-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

Are both cars IRS or live axles?

My Sons AUII Ghia (live axle) I replaced with XR springs and shocks 18 months ago, Major difference

I thought all Ghias were IRS?

buickman · 07-07-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abacus

I thought all Ghias were IRS?

Your correct. Plus the Ghias don't have the adjst upper camber bolts in the IRS like the XR's. If your are fitting XR springs or lowered springs you will need
the kit. Part No Er5K500AKT so as the IRS can be aligned.

Abacus · 07-07-2006, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

If your are fitting XR springs or lowered springs you will need
the kit. Part No Er5K500AKT so as the IRS can be aligned.

Thanks Buickman, that's the information I needed. I'd already figured that I would need a front camber kit, hadn't thought about the back.

Do you reckon my local garage/workshop could install the IRS camber kit, or are there special tools/expertise that make it a Ford workshop specialty?

ronwest · 07-07-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

Your correct. Plus the Ghias don't have the adjst upper camber bolts in the IRS like the XR's. If your are fitting XR springs or lowered springs you will need
the kit. Part No Er5K500AKT so as the IRS can be aligned.

Mate, I'm not doubting what you're saying but do you have a reference handy regarding the camber kit?

When I did my conversion to XR springs I rang Ford and was told that I would not need the camber kit and the car has since had a wheel alignment without it.

If it needs the camber kit, I'd like to be able to point Ford towards the reference and then lean on them for a wheel alignment after I install the kit.

buickman · 07-07-2006, 07:20 PM

The stock Ghia, Fairlane & LTD only have a bolt & nut in them so no adj can be made. But the XR series had the camber bolt kit they are just unbolt & replace but you will have to have the car aligned. Without this bolt kit your tyres will wear on the inside very fast if lowered springs are fitted to the IRS.
You will need 2 of the kits at about $50 for both from Ford.

buickman · 07-07-2006, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronwest

Mate,
When I did my conversion to XR springs I rang Ford and was told that I would not need the camber kit and the car has since had a wheel alignment without it.

Quote:

If it needs the camber kit, I'd like to be able to point Ford towards the reference and then lean on them for a wheel alignment after I install the kit.

The spare parts guy at I won't mention the dealership could not find the part no so I rang NewOakleigh Mtrs & the guy there knew what I was talking about. Its a wonder your aligment guy never picked it up as that is were I found out there was a difference as he had done many AU XR's & was looking for the camber bolt to adjust but could only find a bolt & nut .

ronwest · 08-07-2006, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buickman

The spare parts guy at I won't mention the dealership could not find the part no so I rang NewOakleigh Mtrs & the guy there knew what I was talking about. Its a wonder your aligment guy never picked it up as that is were I found out there was a difference as he had done many AU XR's & was looking for the camber bolt to adjust but could only find a bolt & nut .

Hmm, my alignment was done by Ford...

When I finish work this morning I'll mosey on down there armed with the part number you supplied and have a chat.

Thanks for the info mate... appreciate it.

HoT-AU · 27-07-2006, 10:52 PM

Thats the prob with the Ghias, they sit so dam high. Ive got a AU series 1 and im after some xr6 irs springs. Does anybody have any for sale? the last thing i wanna do is go down to a wrecker and get ripped off for 2nd hand stuff. Is it worthwhile looking at the shockers aswell?

Thanks.