edselford Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 Why would ford have a new vehicle platform with two different front suspensions? the new Aviator utilizes SLA design and the New Explorer utilizes s modified strut design. At first I thought the Aviator would require a short, long a arm design for the air suspension but the aviator is offered with a conventional spring as base! Is this cost driven? We made the full circle in the last 30 years. From SLA to simple strut and now back edselford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 59 minutes ago, edselford said: Why would ford have a new vehicle platform with two different front suspensions? If the suspension "hard points" are the same on the chassis architecture, then you can spec up an SLA suspension for your upscale products while keeping costs in check for the rest of the vehicles that share that architecture by spec'ing up a lower cost, but effective McStrut suspension for the lower end of the line. It gives differentiation so that we no longer have to deal with "tarted up" Fords when we want a Lincoln. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolScoop Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 (edited) https://www.griggsracing.com/chassis-debate-sla-vs-macpherson-strut/ Correct, struts help to lower the price on the high volume Explorer while SLA offers superior ride, handling and alignment for the lower volume higher priced Aviator. Edited August 18, 2019 by CoolScoop 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 All the above is correct, the SLAS suspension is a superior set up for handling/road holding and minimum tire scrub while the Mac Strut with a knuckle is the equivalent of GM's superstrut, it's an efficient low cost front suspension that allows Ford to do away with the upper control arm and large outer link for significant cost savings. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 It also shows the flexibility of CD6 in allowing it to cover a broader envelope of vehicles with less compromise, I can now see how a future Mustang could be wrapped up in CD6 without suffering a massive weight gain or size blow out. Such a shame that car sales are on the slide at the very time Ford looks to have the answer to economy of scales, maybe there's an opportunity to add something back in once all the other more important product vacancies are filled. Jim Hackett's intent was to get development costs down to a manageable level so that niche products can be looked at. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 18, 2019 Share Posted August 18, 2019 I wonder if the strut suspension also has to do with the majority of Explorers being the 2.3 I-4 EBs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probowler Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 While I doubt Explorer owners today are this intrepid, maybe one day we'll see some old 2019 explorers upgraded with Lincoln front suspension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoolScoop Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 3 hours ago, jpd80 said: I wonder if the strut suspension also has to do with the majority of Explorers being the 2.3 I-4 EBs Probably not since the Explorer ST also has struts. It's more about price points and greater distinction between the Explorer and Aviator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 15 minutes ago, CoolScoop said: Probably not since the Explorer ST also has struts. It's more about price points and greater distinction between the Explorer and Aviator. Yeah, I was kind of alluding to that when I said the majority of Explorers being the 2.3 EB and, I agree that there's a big cost saving to be had by making all Explorers with Strut front suspension. Equally, your second point is just as valid, the use of SLAS in the Aviator is there to set it apart form the Explorers, both in price and in the way Aviators feel to drive, an extra level of refinement and another point of differentiation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselford Posted August 19, 2019 Author Share Posted August 19, 2019 Guys Thank you for your inputs on this subject! After reading article pointed out by CoolScoop, I don’t think it’s going to be an Explorer for me. I had two Taurus’s and a 2011 Explorer that needed strut replacements after only 40,000 miles. I also wondered why vehicles ride quality was great at highway speeds but poor at low speeds and now I know why. edselford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvrsvt Posted August 19, 2019 Share Posted August 19, 2019 46 minutes ago, edselford said: I had two Taurus’s and a 2011 Explorer that needed strut replacements after only 40,000 miles. What the hell were you driving over? I haven't replaced a strut in any of my Ford products going on over 20 years... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edselford Posted August 20, 2019 Author Share Posted August 20, 2019 I was driving on Michigan roads, mostly paved but pretty bad because of the severe winters. I did learn that on the Taurus, they have two different front struts. One is for normal duty with three attaching points and another for severe duty with four attaching points. I guess the severe duty was used on Taurus/Explorer police and possibly the SHO. Yes, I was shocked at the cost off replacing a strut and if one goes, ford recommends changing both! edselford Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted August 20, 2019 Share Posted August 20, 2019 3 minutes ago, edselford said: Yes, I was shocked at the cost off replacing a strut and if one goes, ford recommends changing both! edselford But, not if it under warranty. My Lincoln MKC with magnetic ride suspension had a passenger front shock shit the bed and try as I might, the dealership would only replace the one strut and not both fronts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 On 8/20/2019 at 11:50 PM, twintornados said: But, not if it under warranty. My Lincoln MKC with magnetic ride suspension had a passenger front shock shit the bed and try as I might, the dealership would only replace the one strut and not both fronts. and if you were out of warranty /paying for it, I bet that they'd insist that you replace the pair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted August 22, 2019 Share Posted August 22, 2019 9 hours ago, jpd80 said: and if you were out of warranty /paying for it, I bet that they'd insist that you replace the pair. That is exactly what I told the service manager and Lincoln....to no avail... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.