2016-2017 suspension differences

[Truth in Ruin]

I've heard that they've made some suspension changes in the early models, but perhaps they made adjustments to the later models as well. I drove my wife's 2017 for the first time today, and it feels much softer than my 2016. The ride is less bumpy, it feels like it has way more body-roll, and the steering doesn't feel as sharp either. It's very noticeable.

Has anyone else experienced this?

 

[robbie_d]

Is your car an early 16? Mine was built December 2015. My car has the 19mm front bar. Cars with the 19mm bar have stiffer suspension.

My wife has a late 16. It has a 21mm front bar and the suspension is softer enough to just notice. Her car rotates a lot more. The twist beam was stiffened. Look up ST200 suspension. It was rumored, maybe confirmed, that all cars at some point would get ST200 suspension even though just base ST.

Our little family proves that sometime in the 2016 year the springs/struts softened, front bar went from 19mm --> 21mm and the twist beam stiffened. This leads to more rotation. I turn mine to sport all the time and it never does much. My wife leaves hers on because it will skid the rear without too much effort.

EDIT: You make the 2017 sound like crap compared to yours. I feel each is very good. It is noticeable to those lucky enough to go back to back in them. Depending on the track or auto cross either car would be great. I would be happy with either.

 

[Truth in Ruin]

Is your car an early 16? Mine was built December 2015. My car has the 19mm front bar. Cars with the 19mm bar have stiffer suspension.

My wife has a late 16. It has a 21mm front bar and the suspension is softer enough to just notice. Her car rotates a lot more. The twist beam was stiffened. Look up ST200 suspension. It was rumored, maybe confirmed, that all cars at some point would get ST200 suspension even though just base ST.

Our little family proves that sometime in the 2016 year the springs/struts softened, front bar went from 19mm --> 21mm and the twist beam stiffened. This leads to more rotation. I turn mine to sport all the time and it never does much. My wife leaves hers on because it will skid the rear without too much effort.

EDIT: You make the 2017 sound like crap compared to yours. I feel each is very good. It is noticeable to those lucky enough to go back to back in them. Depending on the track or auto cross either car would be great. I would be happy with either.

Thank you for the response.
I checked the door sticker; it says: 11/16
What you're saying makes sense. I'd prefer the 2017 on a long drive, but would still prefer the 2016 for it's responsiveness. The backend of the 16 doesn't rotate very easily, though, and I haven't tried a whole lot with the 17 yet, but I can see how the backend could be more tail happy, especially from what you're describing. Thanks again.

 

[me32]

So the 17 got a bigger front bar and twist beams upgraded. Sounds like it could be some upgrade parts for us 14 and 15 cars.

 

[RBatty]

Any idea when in 16 the change was applied? Mine was built 01/16. Any way to check visually to find out which version of the suspension is fitted?

 

[Truth in Ruin]

Any idea when in 16 the change was applied? Mine was built 01/16. Any way to check visually to find out which version of the suspension is fitted?

Mine is 11/16, and it feels much stiffer than my 2017.

 

[Flaco]

9/16 build and 21mm front bar

 

[Truth in Ruin]

9/16 build and 21mm front bar

Interesting. judging from this- the two I have should be the same.

 

[BuiltforSin]

I've heard that they've made some suspension changes in the early models, but perhaps they made adjustments to the later models as well. I drove my wife's 2017 for the first time today, and it feels much softer than my 2016. The ride is less bumpy, it feels like it has way more body-roll, and the steering doesn't feel as sharp either. It's very noticeable.

Has anyone else experienced this?

I don't know man. My 17 feels pretty damn stiff and handles pretty well. Steering also feels pretty sharp. You can feel the rear rotate, and it does it easily.

 

[Truth in Ruin]

I don't know man. My 17 feels pretty damn stiff and handles pretty well. Steering also feels pretty sharp. You can feel the rear rotate, and it does it easily.

After reading Flaco's post, I'm stumped. Same tires (potenza), and roughly the same psi. When I get home this weekend- I'm gonna take a closer look at things, and see what I come-up with.

 

[alexrex20]

my 2017 did not feel noticeably different than my cousin's 2014. of course now i have a Pierce 6pt bar and it feels worlds better. i know you mention that both cars have the Potenzas, but are the ones on your older one almost bald? i know that brand new tires make a car feel squirmy or squishy because of the deeper tread - in my experience, at least.

 

[Truth in Ruin]

my 2017 did not feel noticeably different than my cousin's 2014. of course now i have a Pierce 6pt bar and it feels worlds better. i know you mention that both cars have the Potenzas, but are the ones on your older one almost bald? i know that brand new tires make a car feel squirmy or squishy because of the deeper tread - in my experience, at least.

I wish I had the 6 point brace! Good idea about the tires, it crossed my mind too. They're a little worn in comparison to the newer one; probably half life. I know that would also aid to the 17 driving a bit smoother as well.

 

[robbie_d]

A MAJOR problem with this topic is the subjective nature of feel and senses in general. I know my wife's car and mine have some different parts. I seem to think they feel different. Some think they all feel the same. All we can go off of is hardware and not what our fatty brain tells us is happening. I'll try to get part numbers from the springs/shocks tonight. I used calipers to verify the 19mm and 21mm antisway bar sizes.

It would be great if we could just post manufacture dates and at least front bar diameter. A for sure hardware change took place early in '16, maybe another for 2017? We need numbers and facts... and like science. I say we can't trust our feelings and belief can be wrong. Let's stick to facts.

OH SHIT!!!!! HERE IS THE GOOD STUFF!

My Car (Dec 15 build)
Rear Shock (Imprinted into lower half) D2BC- E1113702 E3702
Front Shock (White sticker) E4643103 C1BC18K001EE
19mm front bar

Wife Car (July 16 build)
Rear Shock (Imprinted into lower half) C1BC-1808-CF 113605 160224 E3605
Front Shock (White sticker) E4673901 C1BC18K001FA
21mm front bar

It was hard getting under there with my phone, but I got most of the info. Some info is missing and I may have made a mistake typing. Anyone want to hit up ford parts and see what's what?

 

[Flaco]

A MAJOR
It would be great if we could just post manufacture dates and at least front bar diameter. A for sure hardware change took place early in '16, maybe another for 2017? We need numbers and facts... and like science. I say we can't trust our feelings and belief can be wrong. Let's stick to facts.

That's just what I posted manufacture date and I measured the front bar with calipers. Don't know at all that I can feel any difference between my previous 2014 FiST and the 2016 that I now have.

 

[robbie_d]

I went to ford parts and entered info for various years of FiST. Here is a copy/paste. Sorry for the text wall!



2015 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION

Vehicle Build Date between: 6/24/2013 and 4/5/2015
Vehicle Build Date between: 4/1/2015 and 2/15/2016

REAR SUSPENSION

No date range changes listed here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2016 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION

18124
(AST-24733)
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension; RH (Front)
$89.93
Vehicle Build Date between: 4/1/2015 and 2/15/2016 -Notice date differences between Left/Right on the front.

18124
(AST-24734)
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension; LH (Front)
$90.02
Vehicle Build Date between: 4/6/2015 and 2/15/2016 -Notice date differences between Left/Right on the front.

18124
(AST-84777)
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension; RH (Front)
$78.50
Vehicle Build Date after: 2/16/2016

18124
(AST-84776)
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension; LH (Front)
$76.17
Vehicle Build Date after: 2/16/2016

REAR SUSPENSION

18125
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension (Rear)
$81.35
Vehicle Build Date between: 2/16/2016 and 6/13/2016

18125
(ASH-25819D)
Shock Absorber
Special Suspension (Rear)

Vehicle Build Date after: 6/14/2016

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2017 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION

No date range changes listed here.

REAR SUSPENSION

Vehicle Build Date after: 6/14/2016





For me with build date Dec '15, the critical dates are:
Front suspension - 4/1/2015 and 2/15/2016
Rear suspension - I must have '15 suspension because my car was build in 2015 and the rear didn't start changing till later.




Conclusion: There are so many dates here that its crazy. There are many different possibilities of combinations. We also don't know what changed during these periods. I'm now more confused than when I started... What a mess it is indeed. Obviously FiST are awesome and they all handle great. There are differences but it will be nearly impossible to say that a 2015 has this, a 2016 that and a 2017 something else. It doesn't even fit into model years... all over the damn place!





Condensed Date Ranges
2015 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION
-6/24/2013 and 4/5/2015
-4/1/2015 and 2/15/2016
REAR SUSPENSION
-No date range changes listed here.
----------------------------------------
2016 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION
-4/1/2015 and 2/15/2016
-Vehicle Build Date after: 2/16/2016
REAR SUSPENSION
-Vehicle Build Date between: 2/16/2016 and 6/13/2016
-Vehicle Build Date after: 6/14/2016
-----------------------------------------------------------
2017 Model Year
FRONT SUSPENSION
-No date range changes listed here.
REAR SUSPENSION
-Vehicle Build Date after: 6/14/2016

 

[Truth in Ruin]

11/16 Front "Springs"

Blue Sticker: C1BC-5310-PBC DLB5E

White Barcode#: 618893

 

[robbie_d]

That's just what I posted manufacture date and I measured the front bar with calipers. Don't know at all that I can feel any difference between my previous 2014 FiST and the 2016 that I now have.

No worries man. I stated my feelings and opinions too. I saw where that was going. I think going forward we should focus more on numbers.

 

[Truth in Ruin]

Conclusion: There are so many date here that its crazy. There are like 25+ different possibilities of combinations. We also don't know what changed during these periods. I'm now more confused than when I started... What a mess it is indeed. Obviously FiST are awesome and they all handle great. There are differences but it will be nearly impossible to say that a 2015 has this, a 2016 that and a 2017 something else. It doesn't even fit into model years... all over the damn place!

Well, the comparison is going to be harder than we thought! I can tell one thing for sure, my brain fatties aren't fooling me, the cars feel different lol. I'm in Montana right now, but I'm driving home (Nebraska) on Friday. I'll crawl under the 17 this weekend and see what I come up with.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Unless someone takes ALL of these dampers, and puts them on a VERY accurate shock dyno, we may never know exactly what differences (IF any in actuality), there are between all of these different part numbers.

 

[RBatty]

Can the part numbers be compared to the Euro ST200 and see if they match? Are the same part numbers used in NA and EU cars? I think the rumor was that the suspension changes in US 17 (and later 16) cars was from the revised ST200 version?