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Topic: What did I do wrong... Spring question. (Read 5410 times) previous topic - next topic

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Just redid the front end.  New rack, balljoints, tie rods, etc....  I put new springs in.  99 Mustang Gt front springs.  Moog Part #8594.  383 rate.  78-04 Ford Fox body. 

I was under the impression from searching this forum that SN95 springs would lower my car about an inch.  However it is on the ground and I am 4x4'n. 3 1/2 inches between fender and tire.  This is higher than the stock springs that were on it.  The car is an 84 with snowflakes on it.  Does my car have to be an 87/88 to use SN95 springs? 

I have to redo it, I won't be able to live with this.  What springs will bring me down around 2 inch gap?  Obviously I don't know how to search because I did and screwed everything up.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #1 –
With an older car, I'd have suggested driving around the block to cycle the suspension and settle things out before panicking.  Can you see if anything is binding?  Did you set it down before tightening everything up, or did you tighten things up while the suspension was unloaded (hanging)?

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #2 –
somethings up,  I'm using the 01 mustang bullitt springs and that gives me 2 fingers on the front with a 351w based stroker and the rear you need to use the adjustable control arms to bring it up.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #3 –
I forgot to add that the motor is a 5.0 with aluminum heads/intake.  Install went perfect considering this is my 4th time rebuilding a T-bird front end.  I am going to string it tomorrow to align it.  I will drive it around and see if it settles any.  I did stand on the bumper and jump up and down.  It didn't seem to have an effect, still 3.5 inches.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #4 –
Did you take the control arms off?

If you did, and you torqued the bolts down with the suspension unloaded and hanging, then you'll have a higher stance. The fix is to place your car on something secure, with the suspension loaded (vehicle's weight, no more) and loosen things up, a bit, maybe push down on the bumper a few times to help it settle, and retorque everything. Als, driving it around a bit afterwards will help too.

Also, in the control arms, there's an indentation where the springs sit, you have to have the spring set just right, or it will likely cause a bit higher ride height.

I've got '97 GT springs in mine, and last week I yanked a set from a '00 that I also grabbed the calipers and brackets from. They'll be going in my '88 'Bird once the "WussStang" is "done".
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #5 –
Control arms didn't come off.  I changed balljoints, stabilizer links, and tie rods.  Springs are seated with pigtails in the correct position, only covering one of the drain holes as per the service manual suggestion.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #6 –
Quote from: custompunk;431312
Just redid the front end.  New rack, balljoints, tie rods, etc....  I put new springs in.  99 Mustang Gt front springs.  Moog Part #8594.  383 rate.  78-04 Ford Fox body. 


Part # breakdown for stock spring replacements from Moog Top is T-Bird, bottom is Cougar.



Here is an actual spec sheet for Moog springs.  I'm posting a direct link because it is a large file; rather long.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk191/V8Demon/Car%20Tech/MoogSpringsspecsheet-1.png
Open it in a new tab and scroll down.  The part #'s are in ascending numerical order.

What part # would correspond to you in stock trim?  Still running the stock control arms or  have they been swapped out?  Are you running spring perches?  Any weight reduction/parts removed from the front end? 

It would seem part # 8732 would bring you down a bit if you did in fact receive the correct part # to begin with. 

For what it's worth, I'm running Moog #8598 up front and Moog # 8599 out back.  Aluminum heads, no A/C, new style starter (18 pounds lighter) and she sits like this:


Tires sizes are 235/60-15 front and 255/60-15 rear.  I would question as to whether or not you did in fact you received the right part #.  If I ran that part #, I'd be stanced/hellaflush/whatever they call it.
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #7 –
Thank you v8 Demon for that spec sheet!  Mine were part number 8594.  I will be going outside and digging up the box out of the trash to double check that I got the right parts. 

According to the spec sheet everything between an 8594 and 8598 are the same except the rating.  Mine is 383 and yours are 415.  My tire size is 225-60-16.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #8 –
I really like the 225/60 size. its impossible to find cheap in a 15" rim now.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #9 –
I drove it today and it seems to have settled a little bit.  Around 2 1/4 inch gap now.  Here is the before pic and an after pic. 

Thanks for all the suggestions, I am going to drive it like it is for a while to see how things go.

X
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #10 –
Quote from: custompunk;431390
I drove it today and it seems to have settled a little bit.  Around 2 1/4 inch gap now.  Here is the before pic and an after pic. 

Thanks for all the suggestions, I am going to drive it like it is for a while to see how things go.

X X

Second picture doesn't work for me.
88 Thunderbird LX: 306, Edelbrock Performer heads, Comp 266HR cam, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, bunch of other stuff.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #11 –
I'm only seeing the "before" picture (like the one in the first post).

Are you planning on getting an alignment soon?

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #12 –
Sorry about the pic issue.  Instead of uploading the pic again I'm going to wait until tomorrow and just post a full car pic.  The pic I took was py cellphone pic anyway.  I did go get it aligned today and it rides very nice.  Eventually down the line I'm going to cut a little off of the spring coil and lower it a bit more.  That will be early spring though when I paint the car.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #13 –
New struts?
Spring isolators installed?

I've got new struts on my Mustang, along with new everything else up front except springs, and I've noticed it sits a little higher than it did, but mine is a 2.3 car for now. BTW, OP, what size are your front tires? I did pretty much the same as you did on my Sport, there's no way in hell I had 2.5 inches between rubber and fender. My fronts are/were 245/70 on a 17" Bullitt wheel and they filled the wheelwell quite nicely, and rubbed a little, at that. Those are on the Stang now, however. When I get back to the 'Bird it'll be getting 4 lug swapped, the 5 lug stuff is going under another car. I'm gonna run turbines...I like the look too ed much to have it any other way.
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

What did I do wrong... Spring question.

Reply #14 –
Struts and strut mounts are less than a year old and new ones had to be special ordered so I didn't change them.  New isolators were put on.  (Thank goodness I live near Jegs because no regular parts store carries them.) 

Wheels are snowflakes with 225/60/16's.
84 TurboCoupe with 302 .010 over - 9.8 : 1 Forged Pistons - Edlebrock Goodies:  Aluminum Heads #6037, Intake #3821, 65mm TBI/EGR #3824/3827, Camshaft #3722 -  Interactive System & Technologies Mass Air with 24# Injectors - A9L - 3g Alternator - BBK shorties, Cat Converter H-pipe, Magniflow lers - World Class T5 1352-169 (1986, V8, WC, 3.15 3.35 1.93 1.29 1.00 0.68) OEM Clutch Cable - 7.5 Trac Lock with 3.08 and slapper bars from 82 Mustang.