FMS 2003 Cobra A-arms. Are they worth it?

WhiteCobra95

10 Year Member

May 2, 2006

634

177

74

Jun 27, 2006

#1

• Jun 27, 2006

• #1

I'm thinking about installing the '03 Cobra A-arms from FMS on my '95. They claim a revised geometry and improved bushings. Has anyone else installed thes on their car? Is it a noticable improvement in steering feel/handling?

I've also heard rumors that Ford increased the track on '99+ cars by .75". Is this a problem with first gen SN95's or will they still fit ok?

My plan is to install the Bullit spring/strut kit along with the lower a-arms. I would appreciate any feadback you guys might have.

Thanks, Mike

 

Dan_Soprano

15 Year Member

May 7, 2003

7,410

54

129

Jacksonville, FL

Jun 27, 2006

#2

• Jun 27, 2006

• #2

I know the 03's are different, but don't know what improvements thry provide.

 

tomustang

Psychotic Member

Founding Member

Jun 8, 2000

3,434

2

78

McLean Hospital

Jun 27, 2006

#3

• Jun 27, 2006

• #3

WhiteCobra95 said:

I'm thinking about installing the '03 Cobra A-arms from FMS on my '95. They claim a revised geometry and improved bushings. Has anyone else installed thes on their car? Is it a noticable improvement in steering feel/handling?

I've also heard rumors that Ford increased the track on '99+ cars by .75". Is this a problem with first gen SN95's or will they still fit ok?

My plan is to install the Bullit spring/strut kit along with the lower a-arms. I would appreciate any feadback you guys might have.

Thanks, Mike

Click to expand...

if you are comparing the 94-04 front control arms yes (revised geometry and improved bushings) over the fox body. the cobra control arms have better bushings in them over the rest 94-02 mustangs

 

DropTopPony

Noob Slayer

Founding Member

Aug 13, 2002

2,570

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48

south jersey

Jun 27, 2006

#4

• Jun 27, 2006

• #4

I put them in when i needed new balljoints. Improved steering....doesn't require as much input to turn as before. I think it was supposed to be a 10% decrease in turning radius compared to stock. I don't think i would put them in for the sake of having them but if your ball joints are bad then this is a great alternative to dealing with that.

 

K

Ken01GTvert

Member

Aug 27, 2003

175

0

16

Colorado

Jun 27, 2006

#5

• Jun 27, 2006

• #5

I just got done installing them along with the Cobra HD tie rod ends. I had some shaking in the front end so I wanted to fix that by replacing the bushings, balljoints and outter tie rod ends. I have an 01 and the A-arms didn't look any different then my stockers, however, the bushings fit much more snug and now all of my shaking is gone. If you plan to replace your A-arm bushings and balljoints you might as well just get the complete A-arms.

 

squares98

Member

Aug 20, 2004

852

0

17

Orange,ca

Jun 27, 2006

#6

• Jun 27, 2006

• #6

were you able to replace the arms using a spring compressor, or did you have to unbolt the struts at the strut tower?

 

K

Ken01GTvert

Member

Aug 27, 2003

175

0

16

Colorado

Jun 27, 2006

#7

• Jun 27, 2006

• #7

I didn't use a spring compressor. I had to disconnect the strut and also had to loosen up my steering rack and pull it forward so I could get the front bolts out of the A-arms. The toughest part was getting the balljoint out of the steering knuckle and then tightening the nut on the balljoint after I put the new A-arm in (because it kept turning when I was trying to tighten it).