Bushings, Ball Joints, and Bumpsteer, Oh My!

Flghtmstr1 said:

Thanks for the tip. The only concern I have with calling them is that they are likely to suggest their own products over products they do not carry. For example, I want C-Springs, but they don't carry them, so they probably wouldn't recommend I buy them. Am I off-base here expecting this kind of behavior from them? Maybe they're different, I don't know.

Anyway, all I'm really trying to find out is whether I need any of those easily-overlooked bits like steering rack bushings, ball joints, bumpsteer kits, adjustable tie-rod ends, caster-camber plates, etc. So what do you guys think? Will C-Springs drop the car enough to warrant the purchase of some or all of these items?

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tajmas said:

After spending a long time reading forums in order to answer the same question. I realized mostly everyone agreed on one thing, MM was the man when it came to suspensions. So I called them and told them what I wanted. In 10 mins. they had me set up, and saved me another 3 weeks of reading conflicting opinions. There really nice people ( Jason and Chris, anyway), and knew exactly what I needed.Give them a shot.

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Flghtmstr1 said:

Thanks for the tip. The only concern I have with calling them is that they are likely to suggest their own products over products they do not carry. For example, I want C-Springs, but they don't carry them, so they probably wouldn't recommend I buy them. Am I off-base here expecting this kind of behavior from them? Maybe they're different, I don't know.

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Thundermouse said:

As far as your question about their behavior goes, my experience has been great with their tech help. A couple times I've approached with "the next step" that I wanted to take with the car where some of the components that I decided were best for my setup were not going to be coming from MM. I'll state this out front to them, and they usually help me match which of their products will complement what I have already decided on.
Once the situation is clear that I wouldn't be buying x from MM, I've never felt pressured to buy their equivalent.


Another question to ask yourself (one which most people forget) is do you want your car to feel like it handles better, or do you want it to handle better. The answer is up to you and neither answer is better than the other.

Stiffer springs and shocks will help you get that tight suspension feel, and even in the corners that feeling alone will provide the impression that your car is handling better... and there is nothing wrong with stopping there!!!
That being said, the 'specialty equipment' that you were asking about (ball joints, bumpsteer kits, steering rack bushings etc.) is not necessary to get you to this point. Disregard any comments that claim that you need them. (make an exception for CC plates if your car won’t align)

Without fail, to move beyond this stage where your car will handle significantly better will take sacrifices; handling will take its toll on your ride quality, interior nose, drivetrain vibration, and of course your pocket book - good suspension setups don't come cheap. Good handling is a take all of it all or none of it situation. Again, going this route is not any better than making your car feel like it handles better.
Take a step back and look at it from an outside perspective: Who will trade me their car that feels like it handles well for mine that handles better but is louder, rougher on the highway, and my passengers always complain that they liked to ride in mustangs that are smoother.
If you decide that you want your car to handle better, then by all means do your due diligence in investigating everything from your ackerman angle to your rear roll center.

Take a ride in a friends mustang who has done the works to his suspension and decide what's right for you.

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