How is the steering supposed to feel on a 5.0?

ramjetlx · Feb 14, 2006

Ever since Ive bought a new 06, I forgot how the steering is supposed to feel in a 5.0. Mine is really really light, I can steer it with one finger. Great for low speed driving, but not at higher speeds. I did replace the entire steering system,( rack, bumpsteer kit, hoses, pump, steering shaft,etc.)but I was having problems with the new pump whining and leaking, so I replaced it. Can anyone tell me how its supposed to feel?

Euphoric306 · Feb 14, 2006

if you mean that there is no resistance like in newer stangs, then that's the same way mine is. i hear you though, going on an interchange at high speed sometimes it feels like you might lose control

im wondering about this too, so hopefully someone will chime in

ninety15.0 · Feb 14, 2006

Yea i think you are right...the feel is very light. I think thats just the way it is. Not much you can do about it, unlesss u want to go with a manual rack.

cjman15 · Feb 14, 2006

I love that. The easy steering is one of my favorite things about our Mustangs.

Numbles · Feb 14, 2006

If you want alittle more road feel and effort with your steering then you need to switch to an sn95 rack.

Usually you need to do this anyways if you go to a 5-lug setup with 96+ spindles.

ramjetlx · Feb 14, 2006

Thanks for the input everyone. I was a bit worried since the steering is very light compared to a new mustang. I guess they changed the feel of it in 94, my friend's 94convertible feels alot stiffer then mine.

Mavrick · Feb 14, 2006

Numbles said:
If you want alittle more road feel and effort with your steering then you need to switch to an sn95 rack.

Can you elaborate on that? Anyone with experience swapping to an SN95 rack want to chime in here... how big of a difference, better feel for autox type driving?

Euphoric306 · Feb 14, 2006

and anything that doesn't bolt right up?

HISSIN50 · Feb 14, 2006

I agree. My 88 GT vert has a Cadillac-like feel (a 1* turning of the wheel makes it want to turn a lot, and if I dont hold the wheel while I sneeze, the nasal flow is enough to turn the wheel. ).

The feel of the steering in my 94 GT is TONS better. It has that sports car feel, where it requires some input to turn and is gradual (I think that I dont like the sport ratio on the fox GT, since it is so progressive).

I have no clue if that 5N95 rack retrofit is feasible but it sounds cool.

At the same time, swap the starters (the 94's starter sounds like a normal starter).

Mustang5L5 · Feb 14, 2006

I also agree that the steering is Fox cars is very light. However, i have a 4-banger rack in my car, so it's even lighter than a 5.0 rack. I can basically drive and steer with my knee if i wanted.

My '03's steering is far tighter and i love it. I just hate how the SN95 wheel is angled towards the door

90_Red_LX · Feb 14, 2006

My car is kind of loose, but not quite that loose. The few times I've had it up at triple digit speed I wasn't concerned with how the steering felt, but more of if theres a cop clocking my @$$ right now. I can turn with 2 fingers but not super easy like with my friends el camino.

Mavrick · Feb 14, 2006

Mustang5L5 said:
I just hate how the SN95 wheel is angled towards the door

Why does it do that?

old_blue · Feb 14, 2006

I got rid of the rag joint on my car and installed a flaming river replacement to eliminate the rag joint. I can feel the road a lot better and handling has increased 10 fold. Might also be because the rag joint needed to be replaced. Who knows.

HISSIN50 · Feb 14, 2006

I have not paid attention a whole lot, but I know something is off with the driver's position in the seat vs the steering wheel (Mike's thoughts sound right to me). But............ I thought the same was true to a degree (pun intended) for foxes too.

The SN's have some kinda funky pedal placement IMHO too (I'm a big guy so maybe that's it).

Kerpal · Feb 15, 2006

I don't care much for fox mustangs' steering feel either. IMO it's very over-assisted and doesn't transmit any road feel. This seems to be the norm for most 80's/90's Fords, although the steering feel is definately better in the SN95's I've drove... I would definately be interested in any more info on that rack swap.

I was thinking about replacing my rag joint in the next few days... is it worth the effort? A new one is only like $12 so I figure it'll be worth a shot...

8950HO · Feb 15, 2006

,turning the steering wheel on my 89`,5.0L takes a little effort compared to the steering on my old 72`Mach 1.On the Mach 1,you could steer the car and turn the steering wheel with your baby finger quite easily.(even while stopped,with engine running).

My 89`,5.0L steering is not overly assisted imo.

old_blue · Feb 15, 2006

Kerpal said:
I don't care much for fox mustangs' steering feel either. IMO it's very over-assisted and doesn't transmit any road feel. This seems to be the norm for most 80's/90's Fords, although the steering feel is definately better in the SN95's I've drove... I would definately be interested in any more info on that rack swap.

I was thinking about replacing my rag joint in the next few days... is it worth the effort? A new one is only like $12 so I figure it'll be worth a shot...

the problem I was having with my steering was I could turn the steering wheel 1/2" while driving before the steering would react. My rag joint was totally crapped out so I opted for the flaming river replacement piece to rid myself of the crap joint.

Numbles · Feb 15, 2006

Mavrick said:
Can you elaborate on that? Anyone with experience swapping to an SN95 rack want to chime in here... how big of a difference, better feel for autox type driving?

The difference is like you stated. Better feel for an autocross driver or roadcorse driver. They bolt right up but you need new steering shaft or a wrag joint adapter.

89white50 · Feb 15, 2006

i need new ball joints, but the steering in my stang is VERY crisp, tight, and somehwat harder to turn than any other car i've driven. But i do have a grant steering wheel which is quite a bit smaller than the stock wheel. I know that has much to do with it.

Mustang5L5 · Feb 15, 2006

Mavrick said:
Why does it do that?

In order to clear the engine, Ford had to angle it more towards the door. It's tough to notice, but if you ever sit in an SN95 and measure the distance from each shoulder to the wheel, you'll find the pass side of the wheel is about 1-1.5" closer to you than the driver's side.

You would think they would put another u-joint up in the column, but good ole Ford decided to let it sit crooked.

Few notice it, but once you do it sticks out like a sore thumb.

How is the steering supposed to feel on a 5.0?

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