This is topic Suspension Question in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=009670

---

Posted by T-TopTerror (Member # 480) on :
 
Ok- Here is the senario:
I lowered my Cobra when I first got it 2 yrs ago(springs/cc plates). Since then I replaced the struts/shocks with used ones when I felt mine were f^^ked up. Didn't change much on the ride at that time. Well this entire time my car has been getting worse when it comes to bump-steering. Most of the people that drive my car blame it on the 18's(265's up front) but I'm telling ya, it was solid and straight driving when I first lowered it. I just bought new springs(eibach pro-kit) and I am gonna get the non-adj. TOKICO's to complement the set-up. But my fear is with all this, it is still gonna track like an old Mustang. I think because of the aggressive angle we all put on the rack when lowering these things I feel the sockets could be wallowing out causing some slack in the rack even while crusing on smooth surfaces. Once it finds un-even pavement it tries to change lanes. Not cool at all when taking a chick out in your "hella nice cobra"...

What do you guys think? Am I right on about the rack being worn? or is it something I'm not thinking about....

[Car has 30k miles on it since being lowered]
[Total miles...50k]
 

---

Posted by BlackDrop50 (Member # 1715) on :
 
Do you have a bump steer kit?

Both of my mustangs are lowered and experience this too..I've just learned to deal with it
 

---

Posted by AJBlackGT (Member # 3936) on :
 
You might also want to look into offset rack bushings.
 

---

Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
I'd first correct the steering angle properly with a bump steer kit. You need to do this anyhow to correct the angle on a lowered car. Offset rack bushings work but are more of a band aid way to fix the alignment as they don't allow for fine adjustments like a bump steer kit does. If you are still experiencing this problem following the correction of your steering geometry than I'd look into other issues as to why your car is pulling into bumps in the road
 

---

Posted by BlackNGold (Member # 655) on :
 
When was the last time you had the alignment checked??????....

Are you running too much negative camber to fit those larger tires?...In other words does the top of your tires lean in?...
 

---

Posted by T-TopTerror (Member # 480) on :
 
I do believe the alignment is fine. I used to have it checked every other month because I thought that was the cause. I felt I was throwing my money away cause it was always where the guy left it. He did put a little extra negative camber but it was only like 1/2 a degree.

mtbaughs- what else would it be if the problem persists after the install of the bumpsteer kit?
 

---

Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Well from what you've described your car sounds much like it suffers from the steering geometry being off. I think you'll solve it with the bumpsteer correction as long as all the other things are functioning properly. Struts are in good shape, control arm bushings are good and alignment spec's are done right. I'd suggest going with a Griggs bumpsteer kit along with choosing someone wisely to set it up properly. Also I'd get a MM castor camber kit to complete things in the front end. Also check your steering shaft for slop. I'm not trying to drum up business for our shop but if you want to bring it in I'd make sure to get it set up properly for you.
 

---

Posted by NO MANRZ (Member # 566) on :
 
Sometimes tires with a lot of miles on them and a bad wear pattern will add to the horrible bumpsteer feeling.
 

---

Posted by stangin' (Member # 514) on :
 
on my old '97 GT, it would track every single grove on the road. in my case it was the tire, i was running pirelli p-zero in the front, never again. when the tire wore out, i switched to nittos-555 and it was a lot better. it wasn't completely gone, but about 80% better than before.

i would do the bumpsteer kit and also look into the tires. maybe switch with a buddy for a test ride, you never know .

btw, after the GT, i bought a '97 cobra. it was lowered 2", MM c/c plates, tockico struts adj., and it never had a bumpsteer problem.

[ December 18, 2004, 04:51 PM: Message edited by: stangin' ]
 

---

Posted by T-TopTerror (Member # 480) on :
 
Tires....hmmmmmmmm Maybe. They are getting older with less tread and they are different then the original tires I had on there when the car felt solid. I HAD the toyo proxes t1-s' on there. I love those tires hate the price tag. So I put khumo estas on there for expense reasons.

So, is it possible that the rack could be f'd up at all? Do they get unwanted play at the sides ever?

mtbaghns- How much(pm if needed) would it be if I just decided to have your shop install springs/struts/bump steer kit/align(I have Hotchkis cc plates already)
 

---

Posted by stroked50 (Member # 4592) on :
 
I had the same problem with my 89gt when I lowered it with pro kit springs. I suggest a bumpsteer kit ( I got steeda), and have someone other than your local shop to adjust the caster and camber. They usually don't deal with upgraded suspensions. Also, swap out the rack bushings. The bushings by itself is only a bandaid like other guy said, but change them along with the bumpsteer kit. Swap these two parts first then get the caster camber adjusted. It should fix your problem. I actually might have some energy suspenison rack bushings for sale. Email at stroked50@tmail.com. I will go through my extra parts
 

---

Posted by stroked50 (Member # 4592) on :
 
Another thing, did you put new isolators in place of the old rubber ones? If you don't have any in that also might be the problem.Without them your car will sit at least 1 in. lower which will make your tires bowe in even more.
 

---

Posted by T-TopTerror (Member # 480) on :
 

quote:

---

Originally posted by stroked50:
Another thing, did you put new isolators in place of the old rubber ones? If you don't have any in that also might be the problem.Without them your car will sit at least 1 in. lower which will make your tires bowe in even more.

---