Tempo rear end sag fix needed - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

jopower · 12-03-2008, 17:33

I have a 92 Tempo GL V6 w/125k miles and rear end sag. Part of the problem is 100-200 lbs. extra weight must be carried in the rear... this being a Propane conversion car. When trunk and tank are empty she sits 1" lower than stock back there. Has since bought at 75k miles. Struts are not leaking and seem to dampen OK. She corners flat, too.

Are there taller springs or higher rate springs available? Can I find these springs or a whole strut assembly ready to bolt in from other Ford models near my car's age (92 Taurus for instance)?

Further, the front suspension is somewhat stiff and harsh, yet under hard braking w/full tank she nose dives. On speed bumps and dips she's "pitchy". Is this common on the V6 Tempo?

All of this reminds me of a few 60's Fords my friends once had. Some one who knows these suspensions would be the right tech. Thanks for the help!

e40water12 · 04-06-2009, 10:04

are they stock struts? Even that you could get some of those coil spring helpers metal plate that into coil allows the coil to lift the spring higher, I cant remember the name of the product, Local auto parts stores should carry it.

jopower · 04-07-2009, 02:07

I believe they are stock, but I haven't bought the VIN based report on my vehicle. Could be the fronts were stiffened to reduce nosedive but rears left as is. That would seem about right.

The spring helpers are out there but they really just bind up the springs on struts. On 60's coils they wouldn't hurt much but there isn't much travel in newer ones, comparatively speaking. How I would love to be able to just bolt on air shocks!

I want a bigger and/or stiffer spring.

**jwko** · 04-07-2009, 03:52

There are two types of coil springs for your Tempo, constant-rate springs that restore handling to its original state, and cargo-coil, variable-rate springs as an upgrade for vehicles that carry heavy loads.

Variable-rate springs change resistance as they compress and become progressively stiffer as the load increases.

At Auto Parts Fast at RockAuto the Spicer brand variables are under 50 bucks a pair.

jopower · 04-08-2009, 00:51

Thanks! I was able to check both springs and struts at the site you linked. Too bad more info wasn't availible on the spring rates. I expect the manufacturer site will fill that in.

**chipset** · 04-13-2009, 18:17

Your car has exceeded the GVW. The nose dive is a problem with your brake proportioning valve on the back wish bone. Stiff front suspention is probably seized front
struts. DO NOT use air shocks. You are using air to subsitute for the proper suspention.
Mind you you can use air shocks but you will punch out your shock towers in the trunk.
Then you have NO rear suspention as the rear bumper hits the ground. You loose 10 %
on propane mileage and power and the price of propane is more than gas. Get ride of the propane crap and go back to gas. It's much cheaper.

**87_Crown_Vic** · 04-13-2009, 19:59

i have found in my area that Tempos and such have about same issue as early to mid 90s escorts that had springs break in the rear. if you arent gonna be doing much hauling with the car, i would go with stock style springs and replace the struts.

jopower · 04-16-2009, 03:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipset

Your car has exceeded the GVW. The nose dive is a problem with your brake proportioning valve on the back wish bone. Stiff front suspention is probably seized front
struts. DO NOT use air shocks. You are using air to subsitute for the proper suspention.
Mind you you can use air shocks but you will punch out your shock towers in the trunk.
Then you have NO rear suspention as the rear bumper hits the ground. You loose 10 %
on propane mileage and power and the price of propane is more than gas. Get ride of the propane crap and go back to gas. It's much cheaper.

1: My vehicle weight on the scales at the local recycling yard shows 3235 w/ driver and 1/2 tank fuel and 80 lbs tools in trunk. Max GVW on the door sticker is 3866 lbs.

2: Brakes lock up evenly on all 4 tires in emergency stop, even w/full tank. A bad valve would show up there. The real problem is the tank sits between the wheel wells... up too high due to the so-so installation by the original owner in 1993. Tuning the suspension should compensate somewhat. The real fix would be to cut out the bottom of the trunk to remount the tank for a lower CG mounting but that's not worth all the hassles that entails it at this point. I've learned to think farther ahead when driving. A good thing for all to consider, really.

3: Front struts not seized or leaking externally. 2 people on front bumper drops it ~2" as it should. Jounce test also gives correct response.

4: I can't put air shocks on this 1992 vehicle, nor are they available. I just wish I could for the simplicity. It's a modern STRUT suspension, not old skool coil or leaf springs and shocks (ala pre-1980). I've installed air shocks in 5 cars from that ancient time... I know the diff. There are gas charged struts available, but I haven't got them on the Tempo. The OEM's are still in place.

5. For the last 3 years I got Propane for 10-40% less than gasoline, depending on station. In 08, I was paying $1.89 - $2.29 locally while YOU were paying 3 - 4 bucks for Arab blood money oil. At 2 stations on my 670 mile trip (each way) to Kansas 2 months ago, I paid under 2 bucks and 1 was $1.46! Trip average was $2.31/gal (Flying J demands $2.99 for motor fuel but is open 24/7). Planning your fuel stops on trips in advance is the single big disadvantage of Propane. The internet and a telephone and one day in advance are all I need. Propane is the 3rd most available fuel in America and has much lower emissions than gas or bio-diesel.

6: I never have to worry about a fuel pump, fouled plugs, oil contamination, gummy injectors, burned O2 sensors, rotted exhaust pipes, etc, etc. It occupies as only a little more space than gas per gallon, unlike Hydrogen and Methane, and doesn't require special materials or new tech to work that aren't already on the shelf. Converting back would cost $1800 for new parts anyway. I'd loose my free use of the HOV lanes and I'd be polluting the air 50% faster. Amazing that no one advertises the advantages.

Dude, you are 0-6.

**360ci** · 04-16-2009, 06:12

Propane has a lot of advantages. Cabs use propane conversion cars the most in my area since there aren't many propane fill stations out of town...planning is everything!