Help please, trouble with new suspension!!!!

Donny · Aug 20, 2004

As most of you know I just recently had installed new shocks and struts, springs, CC plates, tie rods, ball joints, and all new poly bushings.

The problem is that sometimes when I turn the wheels they make a rubbing noise and vibrate badly!

When we installed the new bushings there was a set of offset bushings for the rack but the instructions said they were only needed if I was lowering the car more than 1 1/2 inches, I got the Ford Motorsports C springs and they claim they lower the car only 1 to 1 1/4 inches so we didn't use them.

Is my problem what they call bump steer? Do I need to install the offset bushings?

Please help,
Donny

baglock1 · Aug 20, 2004

Donny,

The problem isn't bumpsteer. Don't even worry about the offest rack bushings as they usually tend to do more harm than good. In my opinion, they only benefit you when you've already lowered the car to a point where handling is suffering already. They're a waste.

As far as the problem you're experiencing, it sounds like your running into interference at full lock. Turn the wheels all the way to one side and then take a look under the wheelwell to see if the tires are contacting anything. Things to look for are the sway bar and fender well. Keep an eye out for any tell-tale rubbing signs though.

Donny · Aug 20, 2004

baglock1 said:
Donny,

The problem isn't bumpsteer. Don't even worry about the offest rack bushings as they usually tend to do more harm than good. In my opinion, they only benefit you when you've already lowered the car to a point where handling is suffering already. They're a waste.

As far as the problem you're experiencing, it sounds like your running into interference at full lock. Turn the wheels all the way to one side and then take a look under the wheelwell to see if the tires are contacting anything. Things to look for are the sway bar and fender well. Keep an eye out for any tell-tale rubbing signs though.

Thanks,
Sorry I didn't mention though that the vibrating and rubbing sound are actually happening throughout the whole turning radius, Not just at full lock!!!!!

So I doubt that is my problem!!!!!!

Donny

baglock1 · Aug 20, 2004

Hmmm, well regardless it's not bumpsteer. Can you list all the poly bushings that you swapped?

Donny · Aug 20, 2004

baglock1 said:
Hmmm, well regardless it's not bumpsteer. Can you list all the poly bushings that you swapped?

I got the complete kit from Energy suspension, the only bushings we didn't use in the kit was the offset ones for the rack.

I wish I could list all of them for you but I don't know much about cars other than how to drive them.

I had all the work done at a local garage that a friend of mine owns, I didn't work on the front end at all that was his job I helped replace the rear bushings though.

I didn't notice the noise and vibrating till about a week later after I got the car aligned, It drives stright now but could they have bound something up during the alignment?

Donny

baglock1 · Aug 20, 2004

That's a toughie. But from the sound of it, I'm thinking that the balljoints didn't get fully seated into the control arms and may be twisting in the housing as you turn. Admittedly though, without looking at it that's just a guess.

Donny · Aug 20, 2004

baglock1 said:
That's a toughie. But from the sound of it, I'm thinking that the balljoints didn't get fully seated into the control arms and may be twisting in the housing as you turn. Admittedly though, without looking at it that's just a guess.

If that indeed is my problem how do I fix it???

Will they eventually seat themselfs??? and if so will I need another alignment???

Thank Dan you Rock,
Donny

baglock1 · Aug 21, 2004

Donny said:
If that indeed is my problem how do I fix it???

Will they eventually seat themselfs??? and if so will I need another alignment???

Well Donny, they might seat themselves (if that's even the case), but I wouldn't leave it to chance. I'd pull the joint, inspect it, and reinstall. But before doing that, I'd jack up the front end and inspect the balljoints as they sit. I'd do two checks: one with the spings loaded and one with them unloaded (jackstands under the control arms and then under the k-member.

Look to make sure the nuts holding the balljoints to the spindles are tight and then look underneith to see if the base of the balljoints have been spinning (look for signs of rubbing).

Another possibility is that the wheel bearings are shot. With the car jacked up, grab the wheel at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Shake it back and forth to feel for slop in the bearings. Do the same test at 3 and 9 to test for slop in the steering (which could indicate a bad rack and pinion or inner tie-rods).

Donny · Aug 21, 2004

baglock1 said:
Well Donny, they might seat themselves (if that's even the case), but I wouldn't leave it to chance. I'd pull the joint, inspect it, and reinstall. But before doing that, I'd jack up the front end and inspect the balljoints as they sit. I'd do two checks: one with the spings loaded and one with them unloaded (jackstands under the control arms and then under the k-member.

Look to make sure the nuts holding the balljoints to the spindles are tight and then look underneith to see if the base of the balljoints have been spinning (look for signs of rubbing).

Another possibility is that the wheel bearings are shot. With the car jacked up, grab the wheel at the 6 and 12 o'clock positions. Shake it back and forth to feel for slop in the bearings. Do the same test at 3 and 9 to test for slop in the steering (which could indicate a bad rack and pinion or inner tie-rods).

Thanks Dan,

I will have to find some time this week to jack it up and try that.

I should hope it's not the wheel bearings they are only about 6 months old and as for the tie rods I just replaced them along with all the other new suspension parts and they are only 2 weeks old.

I really expect to find a loose or missing nut cause we replaced a lot of stuff and it was the first time doing this sort of thing for us.

Donny

baglock1 · Aug 22, 2004

Donny said:
I should hope it's not the wheel bearings they are only about 6 months old and as for the tie rods I just replaced them along with all the other new suspension parts and they are only 2 weeks old.

There are two sets of tie rods, the inner and the outer. It could be the inners that are causing this, but I'm betting on unseated balljoints.

95BLKGT5.0 · Aug 22, 2004

You might take it back to the guy who worked on it and ask him to look at it. He would know what to look for.

But baglock1 is great help he is the suspension king.

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