65 - Front end feels light.

[BC_Ace]

Under heavy acceleration, both going straight, and turning, the front end of my car feels light and feels like it's wandering around on the road.

All new front end parts, manual steering, dropped upper control arms, 620 lb springs, 1" sway bar, KYB gas adjust shocks and all poly bushings. New 225/50/16 tires on 8" rims.

Rear has same shocks, 5 leaf springs and 3/4" sway bar. 245/50/16 tires.

What can I do to limit this effect?

 

[1320stang]

Don't accelerate heavily.








LOL!

My stock '65 would get the lift going at about 120. I was running down a 2 lane blacktop in the country, not a highway, just a paved country road that was nice and flat with gentle ditches on either side with no fences. I got a gust of wind that shoved the car over a couple feet to the right and I went to correct and basically, nothing happened. I don't have a bunch of play in my steering box so that's not it. I had a bit of a headwind too, but it scared me pretty good.

Have you had an alignment done by a good shop?

 

[BC_Ace]

My old man's an alignment/front end tech at a dealership with modern equipment and we've played around with different setups, and it doesn't seem to change the problem.

 

[fess40]

Mine gets the same "light" feeling around 75-80mph. New springs and steering parts with the shelby drop. Still need to replace all the bushing though.

 

[Cobain03]

my 65 is very touchy at 60+ speeds you cant jerk the steering wheel at all if you do your wrecked lol

 

[Billgear]

Adding some caster will make the car feel alot more stable, I run around +3.5, makes the car alot more stable at speed.

I'm wondering if your getting some toe out on suspension extension. You could check by jacking the car up a couple inches from the front crossmember and measure toe before and while lifted.

 

[D.Hearne]

Under heavy acceleration, both going straight, and turning, the front end of my car feels light and feels like it's wandering around on the road.

All new front end parts, manual steering, dropped upper control arms, 620 lb springs, 1" sway bar, KYB gas adjust shocks and all poly bushings. New 225/50/16 tires on 8" rims.

Rear has same shocks, 5 leaf springs and 3/4" sway bar. 245/50/16 tires.

What can I do to limit this effect?

That's easy-------- just install the nearest big block you have available Nothing like an extra 200-400 lbs to help in keeping the front end under control Only drawback to this is, the rearend ends up being the end that's hard to control. And that pesky white smoke coming off the tires limits your rearview visability !

 

[71vert-pga]

What about a front spoiler? Shouldn't that put more downforce on the front and increase proportionally with speed. All the benefits of the extra weight without the extra weight. It's a win-win situation.

That is if you don't mind having a spoiler...

 

[BobV]

Adding some caster will make the car feel alot more stable, I run around +3.5, makes the car alot more stable at speed.

I'm wondering if your getting some toe out on suspension extension. You could check by jacking the car up a couple inches from the front crossmember and measure toe before and while lifted.

Bill's got it nailed...

What are your alignment specs? Some extra + caster helps keep em stable.

Check the toe-in at rest, then lift the car 2" by the front x-member and check again. I'll bet the amount of change will surprise you.

What spindles/brakes are you using?

 

[BC_Ace]

Thanks a lot for the help so far.

I can't recall what specs we last set it to . I'm going to get it back on the alignment machine soon, and see if we can get a bit more caster. As far as the toe-in adjustment goes, what would you recommend setting it to?

What spindles/brakes are you using?

I'm running stock spindles with Wilwood brakes.

 

[91conv]

My 68 PS car has that feel also, the 65 MS handles like a dream. Both have stock rebuilt front suspension and same size tires. I've allways atributed it to that. I too, will look into the increased caster idea.

 

[63_Fairlane]

Definitely, check for toe out. Does the car have power steering?


Off Topic

How do you like the Wilwoods? Feel, pad replacement intervals, stops the car quickly, etc...

 

[BC_Ace]

Definitely, check for toe out. Does the car have power steering?

No power steering.

Off Topic

How do you like the Wilwoods? Feel, pad replacement intervals, stops the car quickly, etc...

I've had the wilwood brakes for about 3 years now, but only have about 7 or 8 thousand miles on them.
So far they've been great. Almost no pad wear, and they stop straight and smoothly, without fading, even after repeated high speed use.
I run without a booster and they have a great feel to them. They have the same brake system listed for larger cars, like Torinos and Montegos, so they're a bit overkill I guess for my Mustang, but you can never have too much braking.
Added bonus is it's a totally bolt on kit with all hardware included. Only other thing you'll need is flex hoses. (I went with Earls steel braided ones.)