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Topic: Suggestions on front end suspension parts (Read 1975 times) previous topic - next topic

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

So hapiness isn't quite about hearing someone telling you that'll you be sinking around $500-$600 on replacing the majority of front end suspension. Unfortunately for me that's what I found out tonight when I took in my car for a front end alignment and to have my new tires installed. So what i'm looking for advice on what are good brands to pick up for Lower Ball Joints and Inner Tie Rod Ends? Those two items are what i'm most in a fog about. I haven't gotten a good look at the Napa offerings yet as their site crashes every 10 minutes, so I can't say anything about what they have. However i'm curious to know if I should spend the money on something like Moog branded pieces/parts (kinda pricey), or go the route of perhaps just buying FRPP control arms from Summit (sn95 style includes new ball joint) and picking up and new 15-1 power steering rack from napa (they had one listed with new inner tie rods last I was able to check, and mines got a slight leak anywho).

 Now i've already planned on replacing the struts, strut mounts (KYB) and springs (Napa). I'm also picking up new coil isolators (ES), strut boots (KYB) and have been toying around with the idea of picking up a set of caster/camber alignment bolts (Ingalls). Basically i'm just looking for some insight/opinions on what the best route to go and what brands I should be looking at. Any help as usual is beyond greatly appreciated!
Temporarily Foxless? Ride the Bull...

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #1 –
Yeah, NAPA's site can be a bit buggy sometimes.

If your rack is leaking, replace it.  I've had good luck with the NAPA racks.  I gave up on the "other" places for racks and pumps when they listed the same one for both the "normal" and "performance" racks....no thanks.  You'll want to get the proper PS pump as well.  I had a missmatch (15-1 rack, normal pump) that would pump-up and lock the steering wheel on quick transitions.  Not fun.  The last rack I got from NAPA was complete tie-rod to tie-rod.  The Moog stuff is fine if you need to buy tie-rods.
Unless you're planning on upgrading to SN-95 brakes, you don't want to get the FRPP SN-95 control arms(the ball joint won't work in your Fox spindle), and the with the Fox ones the arms will be too short.  You may just have to go the route of replacing the ball-joints.
I'm not sure what those INgall caster/camber alignment bolts are, so I can't comment on those.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #3 –
Quote from: nirvanagod
Here's a little info from Tire Rack about the FastCam bolts: http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/suspension.jsp?autoMake=Ford&autoModel=Thunderbird&autoYear=1987&autoModClar=&make=Ingalls&model=FastCam+Bolt&group=FastCam+Bolt&partNum=NI81280&perfCode=S



Don't see why you would need those...
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Chuck W
You'll want to get the proper PS pump as well.  I had a missmatch (15-1 rack, normal pump) that would pump-up and lock the steering wheel on quick transitions.


Something about this isn't jiving in relation to when I cross reference part #'s on both Advance Auto and Napa's web sites. When I compare my T-bird's year part #'s with the one's for an 88 Cougar XR7, the numbers for the P/S pump match up. Also something to note is that the performance rack of the Cougar comes up near first when searching for it, where-as for the T-bird the non performance show's first and the performance part is an option. Now if I remember correctly someone here more or less went through this deal a while back, and I believe that some people have used the standard pump with the performance rack with no problems :dunno:. Guess it's time to open that debate back up!
Temporarily Foxless? Ride the Bull...

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #5 –
I thought the SN-95 control arms would work.  You have to do the whole 5-lug conversion using SN-95 parts before you can use them?
-Jim
1987 Cougar LS 5.0

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #6 –
Quote from: jkirchman
I thought the SN-95 control arms would work.  You have to do the whole 5-lug conversion using SN-95 parts before you can use them?

The Fox spindles are thicker at the ball joint than the SN-95 stuff..the SN-95 ball-joint shaft is too short.
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #7 –

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #8 –
Thanks for the pic Jeremy.

I know there was someone who did the swap with the SN-95 arms and kept the Fox spindles and had issues with the ball joint nut coming loose ...oops..

I suppose if you had access to a machine shop and didn't want to swap spindles, you could machine the .300" off the top of the ball joint mount boss on a Fox spindle.....
Long live the 4-eyes!  - '83 Tbird Turbo - '85 Marquis LTS - '86 LTD Wagon

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Chuck W
I suppose if you had access to a machine shop and didn't want to swap spindles, you could machine the .300" off the top of the ball joint mount boss on a Fox spindle.....

Sounds like a good idea. I want to keep four-lug on one of my Birds but I do want those FRPP Cobra arms as well. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. :D
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver
 

Suggestions on front end suspension parts

Reply #10 –
Quote from: JeremyB


Well I'll be dipped in shiznit - I just checked mine and the locking plastic on the nut is just barely engaged when the nut bottoms out - not good :(

Someone tell Eric to update the Cool Cats site info to include this little detail when upgrading to the M-3075-D arms. Glad I read this post (actually this post that points to this one http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?p=63063#post63063 ) - that Bridgeport in the garage pays for itself regularly :D (I paid nothing for it :giggle: )
11.96 @ 118 MPH old 306 KB; 428W coming soon.