need advice for susp rebuild

Topic: need advice for susp rebuild (Read 2081 times) previous topic - next topic

need advice for susp rebuild

August 02, 2014, 02:42:23 AM

having problems with my front end has alot of play in the steering and speed wobble what would you recommend on replacing ?

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #1 – August 02, 2014, 09:08:46 PM

Have you tried raising one wheel in the air, other on the ground and wiggling the tire and watching for excessive play? It could be any joint under the car. Hate to tell you a specific part as guessing can get expensive.

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #2 – August 02, 2014, 11:23:35 PM

they dont seem to have any play bearings seem good its got this crazy dead spot in the steering like a 1/4 turn or more i was thinking about getting a cmplete front end rebuild ive done front ends just not on my own car lol

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #3 – August 03, 2014, 08:29:13 AM

worn steering rack maybe?

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #4 – August 05, 2014, 09:05:48 AM

Reman rack, control arm bushings, ball joints, inner and outer tie rods (get a long rack when you get the reman and all the tie rods should come with it), sway bar end links, and sway bar frame mount bushings. Another thing you might want to do while you have it torn down is to install new bearings, races, and seals for the rotors, possibly do a front brake job (turn rotors and new pads), and check your struts for any leaks and how they extend and compress. If you do a brake job leave the old bearing races in the rotors to get them turned as I think this helps out but its been so long since I have had the stock type of rotor on a Fox.

It may sound expensive but if you want the front end slop to go away this is usually what it takes as these cars are rarely maintained very well before someone gets it that gives a rats ass. Not sure what year car you have so I cannot really get into much more detail than this.

Darren

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #5 – August 05, 2014, 11:30:50 PM

yeah its been maitained im the second owner bought it from my aunt but it was sitting in the garage for 10 years but thanks for the advice im just gonna buy all of it better to replace it all anyways

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #6 – August 07, 2014, 07:45:51 AM

I just had most of the stuff in the front end changed recently and it made a big difference. Had ball joints, inner and outer tie rods, sway bar bushings, end links and bearings done. The car had a lot of play in the wheel before the steering did anything, now it's very direct. Still loose because it's the stock rack but night and day difference in responsiveness.

need advice for susp rebuild

Reply #7 – August 07, 2014, 10:45:17 AM

One other thing I forgot to mention is the rag joint in the stock steering shaft between the rack and the steering column. This needs to be inspected to make sure your dead spot is not due to that piece failing. Several companies make aftermarket ones that will replace it with much better parts. I would stay away from the Flaming River piece as the set screws can cause interference problems with any kind of exhaust. This would be the way I would go and have gone on both cars but I am running headers and SN95 racks so I had to get the hybrid shafts for them. If you want to go this route due to exhaust clearance reasons (mostly due to the rag joint) you need to find one like Maximum Motorsports unit but its pricey:

http://www.maximummotorsports.com/Steering-Shaft-Assembly-Power-Steering-Rack-1979-93-Mustang-P980.aspx

Another option is to just replace rag joint way less $$$ if exhaust fitment issues are not a problem. I found them at Late Model Restoration but I would think that being a Dorman part any local parts house would either have stock or could order:

http://www.latemodelrestoration.com/item/DOR-31000/79-93-Mustang-Steering-Shaft-Rag-Joint

Darren