Let's talk suspension maintenance

[bonestock87]

So the "black pearl" feels sloppy in corners, beats my teeth out over bumps and potholes, and just generally feels loose. I realize that new struts in front and shocks in back are a must, but what else should I look at replacing to get it back feeling tight? I bought this car as a basket case in Nov. 2008 and have about $2000 in repairs/replacement parts/body & paint. It looks good and is very reliable, now I want it to ride good! Thanks

 

[FVBonura]

- Jack the front wheels in the air supporting them by the lower control arms with jack stands as close to the lower ball joints as possible to unload the suspension.

- Have your friend grab the fronts of each front tire, one at a time, and shake them from left to right. While he is doing this, squeeze the bellows boots on the rack-and-pinion and check for play on your inner tie rods.

- Crawl under the car and take some pics of your lower control arm bushings. If they are blatantly dry-rotted or partly missing, you need new ones (no pic necessary).

- Grab your front sway bar and see if you can move it or slide it side to side.

- Try to squeeze your outer tie rods, in the palm of your hand, and see if they move when squeezed by the pressure of your hand.

- Check for dry rot on the rack-and-pinion bushings and see if you can move the rack-and-pinion by pulling or pushing on it.

All of the above can cause sloppy steering or a loose suspension. If you find any play, replace all the components that are causing the problem.

 

[bonestock87]

Thanks FVBonura!

I wish I had logged in earlier today, I just came in from changing the oil and could have done all that while I had it in the air. I'll do it soon though, preferably when the temps come back up to normal around here.

 

[Delray Dude]

what FV said.

My 93 was handling pretty bad - turned out that the rack was bad - a normal "wear and tear" for mustangs. Got lucky that the outer tie rods were fine.

I had about 1/2" play in the rack - you could easily move it. Tires rocked back and forth while up in the air. I bought the cheap 80 buck rack and pinion that comes with the inner tie rods.

Fairly easy to pull the rack on the 2.3 - be sure to measure from known spots on the rack to the placement of each outer tie rod - then remove outer tie rod connection to the wheels. drop rack and remove all at once. I broke my outer rods loose and installed them on new rack in the same position, put rack in and was good to go - only off a little on alignment- went to a firestone and paid the 60 bucks to have it aligned. all is nice and tight now.