Rear end feels like it sways, what causes this?

281pony

281pony

Active Member
Aug 31, 2003
2,681
2
46
Oly, WA
#1
my car tracks straight, but i get some noises from the rear. it has always done this, i just recently by accident found an issue. i swerved to try and hit a squirrel and it felt like the rear end was swaying side to side.

if i take the wheel and do quick snaps of the wheel left and right. it makes the rear end do this. the noises i hear are a "clunk" sound sound from a stop almost seems like its when the weight shifts rearwards.

it has tubular upper/lower control arms, coil springs. the rear end was just gone through less then 1k ago with new fluid/axles/brakes (5-lug conversion). so i dont think it has anything to do with that, as it did it before/after.

bad bushings? upper control arms? it does still have the factory sway bar on it. i want to just overhaul the rear bushings and stuff anyways i think, but i dont know where to start/what to check specifically. please give me your advice..
 

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#6
like stated before check your upper and lower control arm bushings, then check all the fasteners and if everything checks out it might be time to look into a panhard bar what you're describing sounds alot like axle snap in the 79-04 mustangs, sharp immediate movement of the steering wheel forces the axle to articulate side to side and since there is nothing keeping the axle in place thats the washy side to side feeling you're getting, MM offers their kit for 350 and its definitely a worthwhile upgrade
 
#8
the torque boxes were welded/reinforced by prior owner. everything sounds/feels tight except for when i first take off from slow speeds, i will sometimes get that clunk noise.

i do not have a panhard bar, your right. i had decided against one due to tailpipe clearance issues. im already fighting my tailpipe that wont stay secured vs. the other side that wont move lol.

i will look at the bushings, i might just replace them all. the car is street driven by me, it was drag raced by the prior owner. if this is typical, is it anything to worry about for someone who just drives it on the street? :shrug:
 
#9
281pony said:
the torque boxes were welded/reinforced by prior owner. everything sounds/feels tight except for when i first take off from slow speeds, i will sometimes get that clunk noise.

i do not have a panhard bar, your right. i had decided against one due to tailpipe clearance issues. im already fighting my tailpipe that wont stay secured vs. the other side that wont move lol.

i will look at the bushings, i might just replace them all. the car is street driven by me, it was drag raced by the prior owner. if this is typical, is it anything to worry about for someone who just drives it on the street? :shrug:
Click to expand...

you can fit 3" piping with an MM PHB IIRC
 
#11
393strokervert said:
:nice: thats good news!
mine are welded & reinforced with bolts now...... thats was a real pita but they are very,very solid now.:nice:
sounds like it is probably you bushings. some of the cheaper urethane bushing are really crappy, so if you replace them...get some good ones.
Click to expand...

ive never had to purchase new bushings for anything before. where/what brand is good to get replacements? are the control arm bushings all universal size for our cars?
 
#12
281pony said:
ive never had to purchase new bushings for anything before. where/what brand is good to get replacements? are the control arm bushings all universal size for our cars?
Click to expand...

not sure if they are all universal but you could call this company Urethane Bushing kit for HD RLCA's, 1979-98 [MMRLCAU-1] : Maximum Motorsports, the Latemodel Mustang Performance Suspension Leader!

I have heard their stuff is pretty good. they should be able to answer any questions you would have. I wouldn't get the ebay urethane bushings but thats just me...they might be just fine but IDK.
 
#13
thanks. i gotta jack the car up and take a look in there and figure out what i am doing.

my lca is adjustable. the adjustment bolt for the perch height sheared off from the prior owner. we took the tention off it, and its also seized into the arm. so i think im going to get new LCA's. the rear needs to go up some, i have almost no clearance between tire to fender. it rubs like 5 times everytime i drive the car on bumps.

so new bushings and lca, or new bushings and panhard bar... decisions decisions. i did see that summit sells full rear bushing kits for like $80.
 
#14
i had the same issue with my black coupe, mine was so bad the the rims hit the inner well. Replace the busihings in the Upper control arms for sure, but if your there you should just do them all that will solve the problem. I have ones that are Red in color dont know who makes em
 
#15
S&B said:
i had the same issue with my black coupe, mine was so bad the the rims hit the inner well. Replace the busihings in the Upper control arms for sure, but if your there you should just do them all that will solve the problem. I have ones that are Red in color dont know who makes em
Click to expand...

thats what i was planning to do for sure. my tires are hitting the fender as well. i have very minimal clearance, however it should NOT hit under normal articulation/suspension movement. i'm getting some side to side movement.

good news is the guy i got the car from, has a replacement pedestal he forgot about. so i should be able to make my control arms adjustable again. i just need to figure out which bushings to order and tackle it.
 
#17
#19
i went out and laid under the car on a creeper. i got the best pics of my control arms i could while shooting blind.

the lowers look alot like granatelli's. the uppers don't look like any of the aftermarket ones i see. are these stock?

View attachment 222351
one more lower;
View attachment 222352
View attachment 222353

you can see just one end of the upper. they stay consistant the whole length. they don't taper down like the aftermarket stuff i see pics of..
 
#20
ok.. i looked up stock uppers, they are stock upper arms :notnice: not what i expected..

im going to order;

replacing lower arm bushings
sway bar bushings
new upper arms

i just need to find decent uppers.. any recommendations?
 
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