Bad ride

I have a 2002 GT Convert with 123k miles. I have only owned it for 10,000 miles and the drivetrain runs good and it looks good but the ride is bad. I added MMS Full length sub frame connectors, MMS strut tower brace, Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus tires and its a little better but not alot.

I get lots of rattles and feel like I am ridding on blocks. Every bump and imperfection in the road seems to transfer into the body. I dont think the shocks and struts are shot as when I push up and down on the front or back the car almost immediatly stops bouncing. Still I could replace...

Do all the suspension bushings need replaced? Coil spring isolators? I cant imagine it rode like this from the factory. I dont expect a new car but I really am thinking about selling it because the ride is so bad.

trinity_gt said:

Did the previous owner lower the car or do any other suspension modifications?

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Not that I know of. It has stock spings. I did get an alignment done when I got it and all it needed was a tie rod end. I wish I could drive someone elses to see how it rode. I am thinking about trading it in on one with low miles in the spring.

So I put the stang up on jack stands to inspect the suspension. I could not find any play in the ball joints. Things I did notice..... Sway bar sub frame mount bushing looks a little worn. There is about a 1/16 gap between the bar and the bushing with the suspension at full droop. Also the front bushings in the Front Control Arms look like they are worn on the top as well. The bolt looks like it is not running through the center of the bushing which may indicate the top of the bushing is worn? If I put a jack on the Front Control Arm where the bushing is I can lift the Front Control Arm 1/8 or so before the car lifts. I know the bushing should give a little Because its rubber but seems a little worn. Maybe alot I have never inspected a Control Arm bushings before.

How hard is it to replace the Front Control Arm bushings?

Thanks for your help, Mike