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2003 Mustang GT - Rear Tire Size Question

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cassiebaebae
  • Start date Start date Jun 29, 2026
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gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
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San Diego, CA
Sep 10, 2026
#41
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • #41
Did he seat the coil spring pigtail correctly in the lower control arm on the passenger side? It has to be clocked correctly and sit in the 'pocket'.
 
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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Sep 10, 2026
#42
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • #42
Measure from ground to center of each wheel well arch (right at middle/center cap of wheel if that makes sense.

But double check front springs are clocked as mentioned and BOTH rear spring pig tails point towards the driver rear tire. perfectly straight with axle per say.

Past that these cars do not sit perfect from factory and bias a bit naturally. You have to get adjustable suspension pieces to dial in perfectly. If within 1/8-1/4 its about as close as it'll get. PLUS new springs will sit high for a week or two as the suspension settles with drive time.
 
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Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
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Sep 10, 2026
#43
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • #43
gkomo said:
Did he seat the coil spring pigtail correctly in the lower control arm on the passenger side? It has to be clocked correctly and sit in the 'pocket'.
Click to expand...
he is suppose to recheck everything tomorrow. i will update thank you!
 
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Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
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Florida
Sep 10, 2026
#44
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • #44
squeak93 said:
Measure from ground to center of each wheel well arch (right at middle/center cap of wheel if that makes sense.

But double check front springs are clocked as mentioned and BOTH rear spring pig tails point towards the driver rear tire. perfectly straight with axle per say.

Past that these cars do not sit perfect from factory and bias a bit naturally. You have to get adjustable suspension pieces to dial in perfectly. If within 1/8-1/4 its about as close as it'll get. PLUS new springs will sit high for a week or two as the suspension settles with drive time.
Click to expand...
ok dad is suppose to re check everything tomorrow. he didnt put in the camber plates? does that have anything to do with it or no? someone at his job also said something about loosing the bottom of the A arms while its on the ground before he tightens them? that helps ? he doesnt know much about them. thank you
 

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
2,260
1,482
133
San Diego, CA
Sep 10, 2026
#45
  • Sep 10, 2026
  • #45
I believe you do the final torque for the LCAs when they are loaded on the ground but someone smarter than me can confirm.
 
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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Sep 11, 2026
#46
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #46
gkomo said:
I believe you do the final torque for the LCAs when they are loaded on the ground but someone smarter than me can confirm.
Click to expand...
Usually best to have a jack under rear and "weight" on them so you don't bind the rubber bushings. For the front it's not needed unless you undo the bushings side of the control arms etc. If you have Poly or spherical not as big of a deal for either to weight when torquing.
 
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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,307
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Joplin, Missouri
Sep 11, 2026
#47
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #47
Cassiebaebae said:
ok dad is suppose to re check everything tomorrow. he didnt put in the camber plates? does that have anything to do with it or no? someone at his job also said something about loosing the bottom of the A arms while its on the ground before he tightens them? that helps ? he doesnt know much about them. thank you
Click to expand...
CC plates are usually best to get proper alignments. IF you don't want to do that you can do a camber bolt (not a fan of them) OR really old school is slot the upper hole on the spindle mount to allow more movement out on the wheel to get back into spec. CC plates are best.
 
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Cassiebaebae

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Jun 29, 2026
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Sep 11, 2026
#48
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #48
He measured each side from ground to wheel well. he checked the springs too I attached the pics below of the springs sitting in there. Do you have to have to the rubber around the springs? would that maybe be the issue maybe? I know its hard to tell without seeing the car in person. hope this helps thank you! @squeak93


Driver side front - 26" 3/4
Driver side rear - 26"
Passenger front - 27" 1/2
Passenger rear - 26 1/2
 

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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,307
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Joplin, Missouri
Sep 11, 2026
#49
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #49
Hard to say - but springs could but OVER clocked and sitting on the raised portion of the control arm. There is a hole in the bottom (some have 2 holes iirc) for drainage. Thats usually my stopping point for end of spring. Also - I do NOT run isolators so I can get car lower - creaks a bit more but no issues otherwise. Opinions vary on that though.

Have you driven the car since lowering or has it been stationary the whole time? Your pass front looks off the rest look about in line with what I'd expect. For reference, Sportline's in front (03 mach1) and no isolators my car sites right at 26 ground to fender well arch. level both sides and rear is all adjustable so it's not a good gauge.
 
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Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
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Florida
Sep 11, 2026
#50
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #50
squeak93 said:
Hard to say - but springs could but OVER clocked and sitting on the raised portion of the control arm. There is a hole in the bottom (some have 2 holes iirc) for drainage. Thats usually my stopping point for end of spring. Also - I do NOT run isolators so I can get car lower - creaks a bit more but no issues otherwise. Opinions vary on that though.

Have you driven the car since lowering or has it been stationary the whole time? Your pass front looks off the rest look about in line with what I'd expect. For reference, Sportline's in front (03 mach1) and no isolators my car sites right at 26 ground to fender well arch. level both sides and rear is all adjustable so it's not a good gauge.
Click to expand...
it was moved from the driveway and back in the garage. So the isolators can be taken off with no issues? he is going to break everything back down this afternoon and see what is different the springs are sitting over both holes. when looking at it from the back/front it looks like it sits up alittle compared to the driver side. this is what I want it to look like below. I found someone's car I want mine to sit like this. @squeak93
 

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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Sep 11, 2026
#51
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #51
I am going to be that car you posted is on coil overs or chopped springs. 26 on a lowering spring is about as far as you're going to get. You'll need coil overs to go lower.
 
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Cassiebaebae

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Sep 11, 2026
#52
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #52
squeak93 said:
I am going to be that car you posted is on coil overs or chopped springs. 26 on a lowering spring is about as far as you're going to get. You'll need coil overs to go lower.
Click to expand...
sorry for all the dumb questions. where do i get the coil overs? cause whatever i have isnt working out with what i want lol can you point me in the right direction. thank you
 

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
2,260
1,482
133
San Diego, CA
Sep 11, 2026
#53
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #53
You can get coilovers from many places. A lot here like Maximum Motorsports.

However i don't think you need to jump to that yet. Something isn't right with the springs you have now. They shouldn't be off 3/4" and 1" side to side. Did you purchase new top isolators with the springs? The original isolators aren't stuck up in the top pocket and you're doubled up on isolators on the passenger side are you? If its all dirty up in there your dad may have missed it?
 
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squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,307
386
164
Joplin, Missouri
Sep 11, 2026
#54
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #54
Any major retailer but you'll likely need matching shocks, struts etc. Not quite as simple as a spring swap. You'll want strut tower and shock tower bracing along with 4 bolt caster camber plates. Look at my mach 1 build thread and see how my car sits on sportlines with no isolators. Rear is adjustable but sits about where sportlines did prior (now has drag springs in rear).

I agree with GKOMO - you need to get them clocked correctly, install caster camber plates, and THEN go drive it for a week or two before worrying about how it sits. It will settle I promise.
 
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Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
32
6
18
Florida
Sep 11, 2026
#55
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #55
gkomo said:
You can get coilovers from many places. A lot here like Maximum Motorsports.

However i don't think you need to jump to that yet. Something isn't right with the springs you have now. They shouldn't be off 3/4" and 1" side to side. Did you purchase new top isolators with the springs? The original isolators aren't stuck up in the top pocket and you're doubled up on isolators on the passenger side are you? If its all dirty up in there your dad may have missed it?
Click to expand...

squeak93 said:
Any major retailer but you'll likely need matching shocks, struts etc. Not quite as simple as a spring swap. You'll want strut tower and shock tower bracing along with 4 bolt caster camber plates. Look at my mach 1 build thread and see how my car sits on sportlines with no isolators. Rear is adjustable but sits about where sportlines did prior (now has drag springs in rear).

I agree with GKOMO - you need to get them clocked correctly, install caster camber plates, and THEN go drive it for a week or two before worrying about how it sits. It will settle I promise.
Click to expand...
ok thanks
 

Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
32
6
18
Florida
Sep 11, 2026
#56
  • Sep 11, 2026
  • #56
gkomo said:
You can get coilovers from many places. A lot here like Maximum Motorsports.

However i don't think you need to jump to that yet. Something isn't right with the springs you have now. They shouldn't be off 3/4" and 1" side to side. Did you purchase new top isolators with the springs? The original isolators aren't stuck up in the top pocket and you're doubled up on isolators on the passenger side are you? If its all dirty up in there your dad may have missed it?
Click to expand...
He cleaned up in there when he put the new springs in. we used the old isolators, i was being cheap lol this is my first time doing anything to the car since i bought it. he is going to take it back apart today and see what's going on. i will update then. hopefully we can get it fixed right. thank you
 
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Cassiebaebae

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Jun 29, 2026
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Saturday at 11:21 PM
#57
  • Saturday at 11:21 PM
  • #57
Update. he took out the spring isolators and the measurements didnt change much. the springs sit in the bottom of the arm in the little grove area its not over lapping at all. i dont know what is wrong. it looks so weird the front sits up more than the rear. thanks @gkomo @squeak93

driver front 26 1/2
driver rear 26"
passenger front 27"
passenger rear 26 1/4
 
Last edited: Sunday at 2:38 AM

gkomo

now i can hopefully expect to receive the shaft
Aug 2, 2024
2,260
1,482
133
San Diego, CA
Sunday at 9:30 AM
#58
  • Sunday at 9:30 AM
  • #58
Could drive it around for a while and see if the suspension settles? Maybe the passenger side springs just need to settle to what the drivers side is. It looks like your measurements got a little more close removing the isolators, but one would think they would remain the same ratio between the sides.
 
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Cassiebaebae

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Jun 29, 2026
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Florida
Sunday at 12:43 PM
#59
  • Sunday at 12:43 PM
  • #59
gkomo said:
Could drive it around for a while and see if the suspension settles? Maybe the passenger side springs just need to settle to what the drivers side is. It looks like your measurements got a little more close removing the isolators, but one would think they would remain the same ratio between the sides.
Click to expand...
Yeah, its crazy going to see if it settles i guess. Thanks
 

Cassiebaebae

Member
Jun 29, 2026
32
6
18
Florida
Sunday at 2:30 PM
#60
  • Sunday at 2:30 PM
  • #60
My dad asked would the strut cause this issue on the one side?
 
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