Required: Select among the items described below in Steps 1 and 2.

Step 1
Select the series: Street-ST1, Sport-SP1, Race-RA2, or Race-RA3.

• For best performance and ride quality, the struts must be matched to the front spring rate. The rear shocks will usually have the same base valving as the front struts.
• See the Spring Rate tab for a list of spring rates and the corresponding strut series that matches it best.

• ST1-valved struts are the perfect choice for high-performance Mustangs driven on the street and to occasional road course events.
• Designed to control direct-replacement springs as well as mild coil-over spring rates.
• Provides good ride quality.
• Includes large dustcover for non-coil-over installation.

• SP1-valved struts are best for Mustangs driven on the street that are also open-tracked or autocrossed.
• Designed to control moderate coil-over spring rates.
• Provides firm yet not overly harsh ride quality.
• No dustcover included. (MMCO-24 includes dustcovers).

• RA2-valved struts are for street Mustangs that are often open-tracked and racecars driven on bumpy tracks.
• Designed to control the softer springs used for road course driving (400-425 lb./in. springs).
• Altered spindle-mounting ear location increases bump travel by 9/16".
• No dustcover included. (MMCO-24 includes dustcovers).

• RA3-valved struts are for competitive road racing.
• Designed to control the stiffer springs used for road course driving (450-525 lb./in.).
• Altered spindle-mounting ear location increases bump travel by 9/16".
• No dustcover included. (MMCO-24 includes dustcovers).

• No, if you're buying a Street series strut, since it comes with a large dustcover suitable for a non-coil-over installation (does not fit a coil-over spring).
• No, if you're using the MMCO-24 Front Coil-over Kit, because it comes with a small dustcover to fit inside a coil-over spring.
• Yes, if you're buying a Sport or Race series strut for use with a stock-location spring.

See the Options tab for related items that may be required for your particular installation.

• Not sure? Read about MM's innovative Caster Camber Plates.
• Need them? Click here and order the appropriate Caster Camber Plates for your model year Mustang.

• Coil-over FAQs
• Coil-over Tech
• MM Coil-over Kits

• Choice of applications: Street, Sport, or Race.
• MM-designed damping curve for each series' valving (Street, Sport, Race-RA2, and Race-RA3) matches springs within a particular range; see Spring Rate tab.
• Robust, high-grade alloy steel strut mounting ears on the proprietary MM-designed and -manufactured housings prevent bending from high brake-reaction loads.
• Inverted monotube design provides superior damping and reduced unsprung weight.
• Coil-over ready; no modifications required for the MMCO-24 kit.
• Large strut shaft bushings allowed by the inverted design provide greater resistance to deflection from cornering loads.
• Monotube design provides better heat dissipation than twin-tube dampers, keeping the damper's oil cooler and decreasing heat-induced damper fade.
• Includes internal bumpstop.

• MM-designed damping curves for high-performance driving.
• Monotube design.
• Nitrogen gas pressure.
• Inverted design results in very large shaft for increased resistance to deflection.
• Internal bumpstop.
• MM-designed and -manufactured housing has high-grade steel mounting ears to eliminate bending from brake-reaction loads.
• Clocking tab locates brake hose mounting bracket and locks coil-over sleeve in place to prevent rotation when adjusting ride height.
• Powdercoated black to differentiate 3rd-Gen struts from previous generations with yellow housings.
• Dustcover included with Street series.
• Race series has altered spindle-mounting ear location to increase bump travel by 9/16".

3rd-Generation MM struts fit:

• 1979-2004 Mustang with stock upper strut mounts.
• MM Caster Camber Plates for 1979-2004 Mustangs.
• Other companies' camber plates that correctly fit the stock struts in 1979-2004 Mustangs.
• 1983-1988 Thunderbird fitted with MM Caster Camber Plates.

• 1987-1993 Mustang V8 spindles
• 1984-1986 SVO Mustang spindles
• All 1994-2004 Mustang spindles
• 1987-1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe spindles

• 1979-1993 Mustang 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder spindles
• 1979-1986 Mustang V8 spindles
• Any Thunderbird spindle other than 1987-1988 Turbo Coupe
• Unmodified MMCO-1 coil-over kit. MMCO-1 fits 1st- and 2nd-Gen yellow MM struts; requires modification to fit 3rd-Gen.

• Dustcover. Street series includes dustcover, but Sport and Race series do not.

• MMCO-24 Coil-over Conversion Kit
• MM Caster Camber Plates

Do front coil-overs cause noise?
Not when properly designed and installed. Like many performance modifications, they'll more readily transmit noise from other sources into the vehicle cabin. More noise transmission happens because the spherical bearing in the caster camber plate replaces the stock rubber upper strut mount. Generally, all that comes through is a little more road noise from the tires. However, if something is amiss in the brakes or suspension, there may be more significant noise.

Do I need an alignment after changing ride height?
Yes. Any change in ride height will cause the front camber to change. Any camber change will alter the toe setting. While a small change in ride height may not cause enough camber shift to require a reset, the shift will also alter the toe setting. If the toe is incorrect by even a very small amount, it will cause rapid tire wear.

Why doesn't the Sport series include a dustcover?
Because the Sport series is usually used with a coil-over conversion. The MMCO-24 Front Coil-over Kit includes a dustcover compatible with 2.5" coil-over springs, so the Sport strut doesn't include a dustcover. If you plan to use stock-location front springs with MM Sport struts, choose the option to add the large dustcover.

Why is the warranty only 3 years?
The warranty is not against parts wearing out. It covers defects in materials and workmanship in the damper manufacture. If there was a problem in manufacturing, it will become apparent within 3 years.

Besides the many Tech pages listed on our FAQ and Tech Tips pages, the following list is especially relevant to a coil-over conversion:

Coil-over suspension FAQs
Front coil-over suspension upgrades
Coil-over conversion kits
All you need to know about rear coil-over kits
Mustang rear coil-over tech
Choosing the right damper
Matching spring rates with dampers

Each MM strut series works with spring rates in a particular range. Choose your springs first, and then the damper valving choice falls into place.

How do I choose which springs to use?
Decide whether you want direct replacement front springs that fit in the stock location, or a coil-over conversion.

In general, choose springs that provide the handling characteristics and ride quality you want from your Mustang. To determine that:

• Decide on the performance goal for your Mustang.
• Consider how you'll use your Mustang most of the time and optimize it for that type of driving.
• Consider what level of ride quality you want and decide what (if any) compromises you'll make to achieve your performance goal.

For help choosing springs, see the MM Guide to Choosing Spring Rates and Dampers.

Which MM dampers go with which springs?
Choose your springs first. That choice dictates the damper series selection.

See the MM Guide to Choosing Spring Rates and Dampers.

Coil-over Springs

• Still need assistance? Contact an MM Tech Associate.

3-year limited warranty
All new Maximum Motorsports-manufactured gas pressure monotube struts are warranted to the original retail purchaser against defects in material and workmanship for a period of 3 years from the date of purchase. Any implied warranty of merchantability, fitment, or fitness for particular purpose, except as may be prohibited by applicable law, is likewise limited in duration to 3 years from the date of original retail purchase.

If at any time during the warranty period the strut malfunctions and Maximum Motorsports, Inc. determines it to be defective, we will either replace it or repair it, at our discretion. Maximum Motorsports' liability for a defective strut is limited to replacement of the strut with a new or reconditioned Maximum Motorsports strut. Mounting hardware, installation labor charges, and shipping costs are not covered by the warranty. Proof of purchase either from an authorized Maximum Motorsports dealer or directly from Maximum Motorsports is required to process a warranty claim.

• Were installed improperly
• Were used in service without the protective dustboot
• Have a bent or broken strut shaft showing abuse or abnormal wear
• Were modified
• Exhibit normal wear
• Are submitted for warranty by other than the original retail purchaser

This warranty is nontransferable and does not cover any other loss, liability, or damage resulting from improper installation, handling, shipping, alteration, disassembly, service, repair, or use of this product. Should this product fail as a result of a defect in materials or workmanship within the warranty period, contact Maximum Motorsports by telephone at (805) 544-8748 for repair or replacement at manufacturer's option. All warranty returns must be shipped directly to Maximum Motorsports, regardless of where the product was originally purchased.

Returns are not accepted without a Returned Goods Authorization (RGA) number. To obtain an RGA number contact Maximum Motorsports by telephone, email, or mail.

Repair or replacement as provided by this warranty is the customer's sole and exclusive remedy in the event of a product failure. Manufacturer shall not be liable for any incidental, consequential, or other damages resulting from the disassembly, handling, installation, service, repair, or use of this product.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights that vary from state to state.

• Loss of gas pressure
• Significant fluid leakage

• Any damage caused during a vehicle crash.
• Any failure when the strut shaft is bent that indicates improper installation or crash damage.
• Cross-threading, breakage, or stripping of the threads at the top of the strut.
• Degradation of plating or powdercoat finish due to age, or the application of fluids such as brake fluid or cleaners.
• Any failure when the part has been modified.
• Strut that exhibits normal wear.
• Strut submitted for warranty by other than the original retail purchaser.

1. Contact Maximum Motorsports.
2. We will assist you in evaluating the problem to determine if it is a candidate for possible warranty coverage. We may ask you to send us photos.
3. If warranty coverage is a possibility, you will be given an RGA number to return the item to us. Items sent to us with no RGA number will be returned to the sender.
4. You will then ship the damaged item to us (to the address on the Contact Us page), prepaid.
5. Upon receipt we will evaluate the item.
6. If your warranty claim is approved, we will ship the replacement component to you at no charge.