Relocate the front struts? Questions on an idea.

[RustBucket]

I'm hoping someone can provide some input on an idea I've got.

I just recently switched over to 5-lug wheels (using Ranger parts) and hung 16" 94 GT wheels with 245-50's all the way around. The car now has an awesome stance and I like the improved handling. HOWEVER! The front struts are in the way. I've got 5/16" spacer up front right now as a temporary fix and its still close. I hate wheel spacers!!

What I'm thinking is fabbing up a bracket that locates the lower strut mount inboard 3/4-1" to get me off of the spacers and still have room. I know moving the front wheels back in that 5/16" will shorten the lock-to-lock distance I have before the tires rub and I'm fine with that. I just need to get some clearance between the tires and the struts. What I'm concerned with is the possibility of altering the suspension geometry by moving the strut in. My theory is that the upper control arm will keep the spindle in the same relative position, and since I'm not moving the caster/camber plates, just the approach angle of the strut, alignment shouldn't be affected.

Here's another point to ponder. If I move the strut straight in, won't that alter the amount of travel the strut has? Since the strut comes down at an angle, if I move it straight inboard, where the bolt holes on the strut and spindle are perfectly parallel, the strut will need to be compressed a little to line up correctly. If that's truly an issue, the bracket could be made to compensate for the difference in strut angle and attach the strut slightly lower. This will leave the strut travel at it's original length and merely relocate the strut inward.

Am I thinking right on this? Would there be any significant changes to the handling of the car overall by changing strut angle? If so, could it(handling) be corrected in another way?


Thanks.

 

[Willy0314]

the suspension is designed using computers, and all the angles are pretty precise, and made that way for a reason. I wouldn't go and try to rig up some kind of spacer just so you can fit wider tires on the car.

Try a thinner tire, or a rim with different backspacing

 

[bhuff30]

the suspension is designed using computers, and all the angles are pretty precise, and made that way for a reason. I wouldn't go and try to rig up some kind of spacer just so you can fit wider tires on the car.

Try a thinner tire, or a rim with different backspacing

lmao, I'm sure they used computers extensively designing the 1979 mustang front suspension. Yeah right.
I think adding any kind of spacer there would be a bad idea, but only because it will be difficult to get the strength in a spacer that you need. The bolts mounting the strut to the spindle are huge.
The only solution is to run spacers or find wheels with a backspacing more suited for your car. I am personally running well over 1/2" of spacers in the front, but only to make the dust cap clear the center cap, and because I love the stance.

 

[RustBucket]

Both of those points crossed my mind.

On the issue of strength, the mount just holds the strut to the spindle. The control arms bear the weight. These cars were designed with the coil spring between the arms and not over the strut so spring load is not really seen by the mount. Also keep in mind that while the bolts are large, the actual bracket on the strut is merely thin stamped steel. My plan is to use a piece of plate steel thick enough to fit in the strut bracket without shimming, and to fit over the spindle side, weld two pieces of 1/4" plate to either side of the thicker plate sandwiching it so to speak.

I did some paper doodling and found that be moving the strut inward 1" at the bottom would result in a very small change in angle at the upper mount. I'm thinking that this wouldn' t be noticeable at all.

Thanks for the help guys. I think I'm at least going to measure it all out, and fab up a pair of prototypes and see if what we're all thinking is really a concern. It won't cost that much and it'll give me something to do for a while. I'll post pictures when I get it done.

 

[Stinger]

Also remember that changing the angle of the strut changes your ride quality. It alters the amount of force it sees from the tires which alters and way it reacts to road imperfections and bumps.

 

[RustBucket]

That's what I was looking for!! Thanks Stinger. Ideally the thing to do would be to move the entire strut inward, maintaining the angle. But since we all know that's not gonna happen , I'll just have to see what transpires.

Worst that could happen is either I don't like the bracket arrangement after I install it or I don't like the ride, and begrudgingly go back to spacers and/or pick up a pair of narrower tires for the front. I'm kinda in that "nothing ventured, nothing gained" frame of mind right now. We'll see what happens

 

[RustBucket]

Nevermind. I got a good look at the front suspension setup and what I had in my mind was not at all what I found behind the front wheels. I'm feeling pretty stupid right now :damnit:

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Looks like I'm ordering longer wheel studs and a little bit thicker spacers. I can't swing a pair of front tires right now. There's a strong chance I could be moving to Georgia within the next month or so.

Thanks everyone for their help and advice.