Front Suspension Help Please ('68 FB)

[65and68Stang]

Hi guys,

I've been reluctant to post this here because I know how the majority feel about a certain gray fastback.

However, I know this place is loaded with some really smart people, who I hope can look past the outside of my car and help me out with a problem.

I bought this car from a private builder. After several delays, I had the car sent to me about 95% finished. The problem I am having is with the front suspension. It is supposed to be all Grab-A-Trak stuff from Mustangs Plus. Everything under there is new.

Here is how my car looked in December. Note the height of the front in relation to the front tire, there is plenty of clearance:

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/ebay.jpg

Now, here is my car as it was dropped off yesterday by the carrier:

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/wheel2.jpg

There is not even enough clearance to turn the front tires even slightly.

The tire and wheel sizes are the same in both pictures. The engine (351W) is in the car in both pictures.

My question being, aside from physically changing suspension components between the two photos, what would account for such a drastic drop in height?

By the way, front wheels are Team III 17x8 with Goodyear Eagle F-1 245/40RZ17 tires.

Thanks for your help guys.

Kelton

 

[Opentracker]

My question being, aside from physically changing suspension components between the two photos, what would account for such a drastic drop in height?

Nothing!


I would show the photos to the folks you got the car from. Something is not right. Look at the front suspension and see if it looks new or has finger prints on it from being worked on to 'swap out parts'. I know some bad vendors that will change the car after it's sold. Sad but true.

 

[67GTA-FB429]

new suspension parts will settle. but I wold look for signs of foul play.

you can always put in front spring helpers.

http://www.partsamerica.com/PartDet...Code=LAK&MfrPartNumber=1282&CategoryCode=3197

 

[BobV]

Has the car been aligned yet? Excessive toe can cause your suspension to raise and lower as it's rolled one direction or the other. Roll it back 30-40 feet, check height, then roll it forward 30-40 & check. Does this make any difference? Has the Shelby drop or negative wedge been done as part of the suspension component replacement? Which spindles are you using?

You might verify the wheel backspacing and width. It looks to me that the two picture have different wheels on them. Here's a rim tech page that shows how to measure width and backspace (page about 3/4 of the way down).

 

[thehueypilot]

Poor quality springs will settle a lot compared to good quality springs. Mustang Plus "Grab-a-track" suspension parts could be "made in china" with low quality spring steel. Ask them who makes them and let the rest of us know your results.

 

[65and68Stang]

Thanks so much for the replies guys, please keep 'em coming. I will check into all the suggestions so far and report the results.

In the interim, I raised the front of the car with a floor jack. It is not so high that the front wheels will spin though. This looks to be about the right ride height I want and I think the wheels look great this way.

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/raised1.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/raised2.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/raised3.jpg

Now how can I make it happen? *lol*

Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

Kelton

 

[Woten67]

I have Grab-a-Trak 620 springs from Mustangs plus and they didn't drop like that. That is ridiculous. They are a good set of springs. I have had mine in for 3+ years and nothing like that. Look to see if he lowered the front end an inch or switched out the springs before he sent it to you. Do you have other photos of the car where you can see the whole car? I wonder if he had a jack under the car in that photo. You can't see the front end.

 

[65and68Stang]

BobV...I have rolled the car quite a distance (it was the only way to move it..I didn't dare try to drive it) and the problem stays the same.

I do not know about the Shelby drop, I will pull a wheel and check the upper A-arm location for that.

I have no idea about negative wedge (or even what it is). How do I check for that?

Hueypilot and Woten...I am seriously thinking that it may be a spring issue. I am having the car picked up and taken to a suspension shop this week, and we will start with a spring replacement and go from there.

Does anyone know if there are any 620 GAT springs that DON'T lower the car by 1"?

Thanks again!

Kelton

 

[LMan]

I would almost bet my flight pay that the difference in the 'before' and 'after' shot is a Shelby drop. I have the drop and 620s, and it will lower your front end ~1 - 1.5", depending on engine weight, etc.

You can check for a drop yourself by seeing if the shock towers have been redrilled. The other COAs would be to get helpers as mentioned, or swapping these springs for a taller set - several manufacturers make these springs in any height you desire (this would be my preference).

In any case, this should be paid for by the seller...you are correct, the car isnt drivable like that, and thus you didnt get what you paid for.

245s in the front is a W I D E tire up there, your offset must be something. I had 235s at one point with stock offset and went to 225s b/c they still rubbed the fender at full lock.

 

[65and68Stang]

LMan, I hope you are right, because look what I found peeking out from behind the upper A-arms...

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/drop1.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/drop2.jpg

I had the car on stands for alot of the afternoon...look where the height went to when I let it down:

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/stands1.jpg

Of course then I leaned on the front end and she dropped back to where I started.

I am beginning to think that between moving back up from the drop and a new set of springs, we may be in business! Anyone else have any alternative theories? I want to try and check out as much as I can before hauling her to the shop.

Also, here are some shots of the suspension on the passenger side. Everything looks brand new, just dusty.

http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/susp1.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/susp2.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/susp3.jpg
http://www.iwant2believe.com/eleanor/wheels/susp4.jpg

Thanks again!

Kelton

 

[LMan]

Yep, those two pics show that the Shelby drop was performed. You see those holes on the sides of the shock towers? Thats where a PO drilled holes to lube the A-arm grease zerks from the engine side.....and you can see where the original height of that zerk was...

The Shelby drop is a great mod, but will lower the front! If I were you, I would try to keep the drop. Its quite worthwhile and helps handling...I would try to work around the height issue in a different way, thru a spring change, for instance.

A good Mustang shop will give you some options to consider...let us know what they advise! Good luck!

 

[Woten67]

I wonder if that guy actually drove it and try to turn with it. Something just sounds fishy.

 

[LanceMach]

I'm wondering if the engine was in in that first pic? The springs will settle, but not that much! Also, the "Shelby " A arm drop won't drop the front of the car much at all (maybe 1/2 inch).

I'd say move on and get a new set of 620 springs. Get them mounted, drive it for awhile (say 50 miles) and then get them custom cut to bring the front down where you want it. BTW - with 620's, removing and replacing the springs is much easier, I don't even need a spring compressor to get mine out.

Good Luck!

 

[65and68Stang]

The car was not road tested before it was sent to me. Veeeeery long story.

Anyway, I checked with Mustangs Plus on some GAT 620's that won't drop the front an inch. The sales rep said they didn't have anything like that, but recommended the 1" poly insulator pads.

Any idea what I should order for springs? Maybe a stock spring for a 390 car would work? If they wind up being too tall, we could always have them cut?

As always, thanks again!

Kelton

 

[LMan]

what motor do you have?

 

[65and68Stang]

It is the Ford Motorsports 351W shortblock with Edelbrock aluminum heads, Airgap intake and Thunderseries carb. The car also has A/C.

Thanks!

Kelton

 

[67GTA-FB429]

The 390 GT springs were about 480#. But that may not solve the problem. They will be softer than the 620s so there will be more drop and a softer ride. What did they guy change after you bought the car...have you asked him?? Don't run and buy new springs unless you are sure that is the problem. Is there a spring insulator in there to begin with??

 

[67efivert]

just curious how was it strapped down on the carrier and for how long was it strapped down its possible if it was pulled way down the springs could of collasped
when i worked at the dodge dealership we had a new truck come im with one side lower than the other and it was really pulled down on the carrier they ended up putting all new springs in it so thats possible good luck

 

[LMan]

It is the Ford Motorsports 351W shortblock with Edelbrock aluminum heads, Airgap intake and Thunderseries carb. The car also has A/C.

Thanks!

Kelton

Ok, that wont be heavier than a 302 with iron heads. Keep that in mind if you go search for springs or insulators.

 

[hhead]

too bad you didn't come here first for advice. that is definitely a drop in the A arm. but, that is the homemade version. check to see if he welded plates to the inside where the new bolts go through to reinforce the area. the kit has a plate that is large enough to cover all four bolt holes, so it is all reinforced. the hole in the side of the shock tower is another give away that this was a hack job before. why in the course of rebuild did he not fix this? I wouldn't stop looking. I would assure you, there are other areas in which were not put together correctly or not fixed properly.
hope I'm wrong...