thermorex wrote:
Ok, the dealer says the correct part # for crd's front spring is 52128880AA, [ZCK,ZRK]. Price is almost 60 bucks each, got them anyways...
FWIW, and possibly to help someone in the future, Raybestos 585-1385 are $59.00 for the pair from Amazon. They are the proper fitment for the CRD and appear identical to the stock spring. I have 24" verneir calipers and both measured the exact same height (unloaded). It's not a brand I would normally buy but I suspect these are only being produced in a couple places to begin with.
I did some very unscientific testing I neither appeared any stiffer than the other. The new spring may have been a hair stiffer but that really could have been psychological. I replaced them becuase mine had some nasty looking rust and I did not want a lift. I was still tempted by OME though, and may regret not going that route.
If I did it again I would just stick with the stocker springs if trying to save $$$. I also used relatively cheap KYB struts, which I have used with great success on other vehicles. Again, in retrospect, I would probably spend more money on better struts rather than replace coil springs.
My CRD has about 75K and the stock struts were actually in pretty good shape, so while the improvement was noticeable, it was not as remarkable as I was hoping for.
The biggest improvement was airbags in the rear.
My cost breakdown:
KYB struts from Amazon - $180 shipped.
Front coil springs Amazon - $59 shipped
Firestone Coil Rite from AutoAnything - $81.73 shipped
I also ended up needing new upper ball joint nuts. WAY overpriced at the stealer! All in about $330 for what is essentially new suspension all around.