Tech Help Please - Northern California Ford Owners

This is topic Tech Help Please in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .

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Posted by SpdDevl (Member # 1587) on :

I have a 98 cobra that I just bought. Already in two days I have been finding problems with the car. My first problem is that the previous owner lowered the car an inch with a eibach pro kit and didnt install camber caster plates or rack bushings with it. Is it absolutely necessary that those things be installed to the car? I hear that the tires wear out faster if those arent put in as well [Confused]

Second problem is that my gas gauge was working fine last night and some time from last night to today, after I filled it up with gas, it stopped working. At least I think it stopped working because after 60 miles of driving it hasnt moved an inch [Confused]

How do i fix these issues? Help please!!!

Posted by racercosmo (Member # 1864) on :

While the CC plates are good to have, as long as the alignment is in spec, tire wear shouldn't be affected.

Posted by 87 Saleen (Member # 1549) on :

put another 60 miles on the car, and if the fuel gauge still doesn't work...

It'll work just put some more miles on it [patriot]

[ May 02, 2004, 07:27 PM: Message edited by: 87 Saleen ]

Posted by SpdDevl (Member # 1587) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 87 Saleen:
put another 60 miles on the car, and if the fuel gauge still doesn't work...

It'll work just put some more miles on it

hehehe i know that the gas gauge question might have sounded lame but i swear that I didnt think cobras got that great of gas mileage and when the needle didnt budge......i thought for sure it must be broken...yea im going to take it for another spin in a sec to check it out again...if it seems to not be moving STILL then ill think its a problem [patriot]

Posted by slidewayz94 (Member # 3101) on :

CC plates aren't needed for only a 1'' drop. I'd just be more concerned that when it was lowered that they had it realigned. If unsure have it done.

The needle on my gas stank stays at full till around 50 miles then starts dropping down.

Posted by 65 custom (Member # 3173) on :

well if your fuel gauge is not woking that really sucks because you will have to get a new fuel pump because it is all one unit at least for gt's. good luck

Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :

Basically what happens when you lower the car is you alter the plane of the tie rod ends. Normally with the weight on the car it is a pretty flat plane at stock height. At lowered height and uncorrected you've now taken the flat plane and raised the tie rod ends up which will produce excessive bumpsteer. Basically this means when you hit a bump in the road the car will pull toward the bump. Offset rack bushings are a band aid fix as not every car sits at the same height and all offset rack bushings position the rack in the same place. This being so it isn't perfect on most cars. Offset rack bushings make it closer to spec than doing nothing but the right way to fix this is to run a bumpsteer kit and have the bumpsteer set by a qualified shop. The offset rack bushings do the job well enough for street use.

[ May 02, 2004, 11:41 PM: Message edited by: mtbaughs ]

Posted by vpr_klr (Member # 3353) on :

Yeah, forget the cheap fix(rack bushings) and go with a bump steer kit, like the one from steeda or griggs. You will be much happier, but you should have it installed by someone who knows what they are doing with that stuff..........like mtbaughs [patriot]

Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :

quote:
Originally posted by vpr_klr:
Yeah, forget the cheap fix(rack bushings) and go with a bump steer kit, like the one from steeda or griggs. You will be much happier, but you should have it installed by someone who knows what they are doing with that stuff..........like mtbaughs

Thanks bud, well the bumpsteer kit is the correct method for fixing this issue. The down side to doing it right for most is the cost. Usually $100-$125 for the bumpsteer kit. This isn't the high end as at least custom alignment in mountain view wants $500 to set the bumpsteer. Again this is the way to achieve perfection but one can get close enough with the rack bushings for most apps. It's mainly a tool used for cars needing perfection such as track based cars.

[ May 03, 2004, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: mtbaughs ]

Posted by racercosmo (Member # 1864) on :

Lowering a car in itself does not cuase a bumpsteer issue, having the tie rods follow a different arc than the control arm causes an issue. If the wheel doesn't toe in or out in a 2" up or down movement, then lowering the car 1" won't affect the bumpsteer unless there becomes a serious problem at more than 1" of jounce.
Caster has more of an effect than ride height.

Posted by SpdDevl (Member # 1587) on :

thanks guys....i will probably not put on camber castor plates seeing as how i believe everyone is telling me that at a one inch drop its not necessary...im probably going to go with a wheel alignment because it pulls alittle to the right at times....as for the bumpsteer kit we'll see if i feel any more problems with the car [patriot]

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