SVT Focus Suspension Refresh?

My SVT Focus has 135,000 mostly city miles, and I think that the suspension is pretty beat. My commute is now 60 miles each way of some well-traveled tarmac, so I would like to strike that balance between sport and comfort. I don't want a spine crusher.

I was thinking about just getting the SVT Focus refresh kit, namely, this one. The front suspension comes pre-assembled in this kit, a luxury I'm willing to pay for. Are there any other kits that are recommended? My priorities are 1. Price, 2. Function, ... 81. Form. I see this simply as a sunk cost, because I don't plan to get any money out of the car once I resign ownership.

My concerns are such: I gave away a lot of my big tools to family in my move over here, since I don't have anywhere to put them. For those that have completed similar jobs, what can I expect? Will it be pretty easy to do the job with a cheap jack, a few jackstands, and most standard hand tools? Second caveat: This job needs to be done quickly, because working on cars is "not encouraged" in my parking garage. So, I need to make sure that I can get this done quickly on a Sunday.

You'll need coil spring compressors for the front, even if you purchase pre-assembled units. They have to be compressed to get them to slide into the knuckles, as the lower control arms won't rotate down far enough to do it otherwise. The rest can be handled with common hand tools, rust buster, and patience.

Cool spring compressor... Something I can rent, I bet. Easy to use without help?

Simple enough hand tools will do the job in a hurry. See this thread that will show all the tools you need: http://www.focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?t=198264#/forumsite/20515/topics/198264

Stick with the OEM SVT kit. You can't beat it. Unless you're willing to go Koni/H&R race springs. That will cost you north of $1k by the time you're all done.

djsilver wrote: You'll need coil spring compressors for the front, even if you purchase pre-assembled units. They have to be compressed to get them to slide into the knuckles, as the lower control arms won't rotate down far enough to do it otherwise.

Disagree. We used to change front struts on this car in 15 minutes. All it takes is one hefty fellow to stand on the LCA while someone else puts the strut in.

Well, let me know how it goes! I want to do the same thing (and possibly add the eibach 25mm rear sway bar) to mine as soon as I get the oil cooler figured out. I really want to stay in stock classes for just about everything though.

I'm trying to remember, 2-3 years ago I had to replace the passenger front hub because the lower ball joint hole had gotten too big. I did have to remove the shock from the hub, but I know for sure I didn't need a spring compressor... hmm. Wonder what gives?

rcutclif wrote: I want to do the same thing (and possibly add the eibach 25mm rear sway bar) to mine as soon as I get the oil cooler figured out. I

Good choice for the rear bar. I've had one on mine since 2002. Stay with the stock SVT front bar and that makes a good combination.