Changed my springs and shocks in all four corners.

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I have a 2014 ford flex. I replaced my springs and my shocks all around. The car would nose dive when I hit the brakes and would have terrible body roll when I turned.
Put new shocks and H&R lowering springs which lowered the car about1.2 inches which is not aggressive at all.
It feels like I almost have a new car, no nose diving when braking no excessive body roll. Feels like I have same NVH except when going over busted up and bad sections of the road, you feel a bit more when going over the bumps.

I think not nose diving was a life saver for me since some oxygen thief decided to pull right in front of me and I had to lock the brakes up. I THINK that the springs and the shocks keeping the car steady and not letting it slide and lose traction sooner kept me from kissing the idiots bumper.
Also those "spongy" Akebono ASP part GG rated pads did GREAT.

 

[Dr_Dr3i]

Nice! Upgrading the suspension on a 11-yr-old car certainly makes a difference in ride quality and safety (handling characteristics). I only replaced the shocks, but I also got new tires installed and an alignment and our little GLK feels like a new car as well.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[AZjeff]

Lowering springs are usually a bit stiffer and would help the nose dive you were having. Stock style shocks have light compression damping and don't do much for dive but overall ride and cornering should be back to like new. Lowering a Flex is interesting, it probably looks longer that it already did. A pic would be nice.

 

[edyvw]

I have a 2014 ford flex. I replaced my springs and my shocks all around. The car would nose dive when I hit the brakes and would have terrible body roll when I turned.
Put new shocks and H&R lowering springs which lowered the car about1.2 inches which is not aggressive at all.
It feels like I almost have a new car, no nose diving when braking no excessive body roll. Feels like I have same NVH except when going over busted up and bad sections of the road, you feel a bit more when going over the bumps.

I think not nose diving was a life saver for me since some oxygen thief decided to pull right in front of me and I had to lock the brakes up. I THINK that the springs and the shocks keeping the car steady and not letting it slide and lose traction sooner kept me from kissing the idiots bumper.
Also those "spongy" Akebono ASP part GG rated pads did GREAT.

What shocks did you put?

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Monroe OE spectrum the ones made in USA so the old stock.
Shock mounts were oem with +.5 camber adjusted via plate.
I know OEM shocks were a better option but I got the monroe shocks for a price that was too good to pass.

 

[edyvw]

Monroe OE spectrum the ones made in USA so the old stock.
Shock mounts were oem with +.5 camber adjusted via plate.
I know OEM shocks were a better option but I got the monroe shocks for a price that was too good to pass.

Wait, did you add negative camber or positive camber?
Good luck. But H&R lowering springs call for Bilstein or Koni, which are made for lowering springs. If you are lowering 1.2", I would go Bilstein B8 there.
Hopefully, you are not back doing them again.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

Wait, did you add negative camber or positive camber?
Good luck. But H&R lowering springs call for Bilstein or Koni, which are made for lowering springs. If you are lowering 1.2", I would go Bilstein B8 there.
Hopefully, you are not back doing them again.

From all I read here at BITOG and other places, unfortunately (fortunately?) the Monroe OE spectrum will allow him to get the Bilstein in maybe 20k.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I added positive camber since i got negative camber when I lowered the car(lots of negative camber in the back especially).
This is the sport line of H&R springs it is supposed to work with stock shocks.
My only option for shocks is OEM, KYB or Monroe.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I don't know what is going on but all my images keep being posted upside down

 

[IndyIan]

Wait, did you add negative camber or positive camber?
Good luck. But H&R lowering springs call for Bilstein or Koni, which are made for lowering springs. If you are lowering 1.2", I would go Bilstein B8 there.
Hopefully, you are not back doing them again.

What is the approximate spring rate change for something like H&R lowering springs?

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

I have no idea to be quite honest. All I know is that they will work with OEM shocks.
AS adywv pointed out they will work better with bilstein or koni but they dont make shocks for really odd american boats.
But whoo boy do I love my Koni "progressive" shocks on my mini cooper which BTW ironically I am pairing with OEM springs.

 

[edyvw]

I have no idea to be quite honest. All I know is that they will work with OEM shocks.
AS adywv pointed out they will work better with bilstein or koni but they dont make shocks for really odd american boats.
But whoo boy do I love my Koni "progressive" shocks on my mini cooper which BTW ironically I am pairing with OEM springs.

Yeah, they say it is OK, usually H&R will say that until 2”.
But, really, it is not. That is why Bilstein has B6 for regular springs and B8 for lowering springs.
But you are right, they don’t make for many Asian and American vehicles unless they think drivers of those vehicles will push a lot of shocks (4Runner, Tahoe, Sequoia, Corvette etc.).
If they hold up, good. If not, KYB would be my choice over Monroe any time any day. Not sure does KYB have those monotube for your car? Check that.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Oh boy I dont even have KYB as an option, they only have the front strut plus for me which is shock spring and mount. So my only option is OEM. I paid 20 bucks for the USA made OEspectrums. I believe this monroe factory is now closed. So my choice is OEM or OEM or OEM.

 

[edyvw]

Oh boy I dont even have KYB as an option, they only have the front strut plus for me which is shock spring and mount. So my only option is OEM. I paid 20 bucks for the USA made OEspectrums. I believe this monroe factory is now closed. So my choice is OEM or OEM or OEM.

Oh well. That resolves your dilemma

 

[meep]

@Rust_Belt_Pete - this just sounds like pure fun! Edge is a pretty cool vehicle and the suspension work makes it unique and lets you have some fun with it. I’ve had good luck with Monroe shocks - not all but some - at the minimum you’ll get a few good years out of them at least so I’d say enjoy it and be proud of your work. At 11 years, they are far better than what was on before. The camber adjustment makes sense. You should post a pic. Maybe take it upside down so it posts right side up!

 

[AZjeff]

Edge is a pretty cool vehicle

Psst, it's a Flex not an Edge which makes it even more unique. Always liked the Flex, an Ecoboost AWD would be a beast.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Thats right! I have a fancy bread box!

 

[GR_CoB]

I don't know what is going on but all my images keep being posted upside down

If you use the "Attach Files" option, then pictures get messed up often. Instead use the little image option above. Click it, then click drop image, or just drag and drop if on computer. One picture at a time, but loads up properly.

 

[Rust_Belt_Pete]

Thank you so much , that worked.

 

[GR_CoB]

Thank you so much , that worked. View attachment 299749

Looking good. Facebook Marketplace is usually loaded with OE wheels. Something from a Mustang, or Explorer ST, would look really nice with that drop.

I recently threw some Mustang wheels on my car, deal was too good to pass up. Came with brand new Michelin CrossClimate2 tires. But in my case I plan to lift it.