Were there changes to the suspension on 2018 Performance Pack?

[Cobra Jet]

I bought my 2016 EB Premium w/PP brand new - and it was just replaced by Ford with a 2018 EB Premium w/PP - pretty much identical cars.

Car for car - both had the Pirellis and neither has/had the new “Magneride” (sp?) suspension. I had also put brand new BFG’s on the 2016, so that car pretty much had new tires for a longer term than normal.

I thought the 2016 PP suspension was good, but there HAS to be upgraded parts or something different on the 2018, because the suspension and handling characteristics of the vehicle while driving a straight line, through twistys, on uneven road surfaces and while acceleration/stopping are TOTALLY night-n-day differences.

It’s not a placebo effect either - because my 2016 PP was also new and didn’t even feel close to this 2018 regarding the suspension (and I put over 36k on that 2016).

The 2018 PP suspension does not feel “floaty” or “bouncy” like the 2016, nor is there any harsh impact feeling when going over road imperfections, divots, minor pot holes, man hole covers, etc. The suspension feels more tuned in, it is firm but not harsh and the car really absorbs the road!

Anyone have any insight as to the suspension components being used on the 2018 PP vs the 2016 PP S550’s? Any differences in shocks, struts, bushings, sway bars or control arms?

There’s definitely a noticeable handling difference with this 2018, in a very positive manner, just can’t pin point what it is!

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[NightmareMoon]

A new car with fresh bushings should not feel as harsh over road imperfections as a used car with a bunch of miles on it.

Didn't Ford replace the PZeros with Michellin Pilot 4S tires?

Its possible they tweaked the dampers, but IDK if anyone has that info. You'd probably have to go compare part numbers.

 

[Andrewg]

The 2018 has new monotube shocks, sway bars and cross axis suspension joints in the rear so i'd say yes, you would notice the difference especially as far as improved lateral stiffness, sharper steering response and the less bouncy feel you mentioned.

 

[Cobra Jet]

A new car with fresh bushings should not feel as harsh over road imperfections as a used car with a bunch of miles on it.

Didn't Ford replace the PZeros with Michellin Pilot 4S tires?

Its possible they tweaked the dampers, but IDK if anyone has that info. You'd probably have to go compare part numbers.

Just to clarify - my comparison is comparing the (2) “new” to “new”; whereas my 2016 when purchased new only had 6 miles on it and the new 2018 had 25 miles on it. When the 2016 was brand new, it did not feel like the 2018 does now (again new to new - not during wear/tear progression of the 2016). :cheers:

The 2018 has new monotube shocks, sway bars and cross axis suspension joints in the rear so i'd say yes, you would notice the difference especially as far as improved lateral stiffness, sharper steering response and the less bouncy feel you mentioned.

Interesting, so that may explain the night-n-day differences between the (2) PP’s even though they are equipped similar for their respective model years! Was this published somewhere to read up more, or possibly in a Dealer brochure?

Thanks for the responses!

 

[Tuxedomouse]

What is a Cross Axis Suspension Joint?

Who manufactures the monotubes?

 

[s550v6]

What is a Cross Axis Suspension Joint?

Who manufactures the monotubes?

I’m in for this info..

 

[BmacIL]

What is a Cross Axis Suspension Joint?

Who manufactures the monotubes?

Don't know who manufactures them, but they had monotube rear shocks on the PP cars before too, as well as rear control arm bearings (cross axis joints) on the rear inner point of the control arm. The PP gets a bearing (again, cross axis joint) on the lateral link (aka front lower control arms), where the non-PP has a bushing.

The promo materials, I suspect, are a sloppy recycling. The non-PP cars now have monotube rear shocks as well.

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