• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Mustang still handles like an Ox Cart after many upgrades, why?

  • Thread starter Thread starter fatboyq
  • Start date Start date Mar 18, 2004
F

fatboyq

Founding Member
Nov 1, 2000
146
0
0
Mar 18, 2004
#1
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #1
got a 88GT so far i have installed eibach pro kit, steeda strut tower brace, 2 point lower brace, full lenght subframe connecters 4pt, upper and lower control arms, welded torque boxes etc.. replaced wheel bearings, and bushing in the front with polyurethne bushings. the steering has some play in it when you move the wheel it moves a little first before the car moves and makes a humming noise when doing so, i replaced the power steering pump already. what can i do next to make it handle????
 

billetunderwear

I've posted way more than my fair share of pointle
20+ Year Stangneter
May 14, 2002
1,148
0
36
Rohnert Park, Ca
Mar 18, 2004
#2
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #2
Griggs Racing or Maximum Motorsports. They are the only companies to really reengineer Mustang suspension to make it work well. www.griggsracing.com will give you plenty of reading material.
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Mar 18, 2004
#3
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #3
What shocks do you have? If you don't have Konis I suggest getting some. If you want to go all the way some coilovers would be awsome.
Kevin
 

Gravel

Member
Mar 17, 2004
216
0
16
Bellingham WA
Mar 18, 2004
#4
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #4
Another huge thing is your tires. What tires are you running??
 
M

matm347

Founding Member
Aug 29, 2000
2,056
0
0
Mar 18, 2004
#5
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #5
You'd notice a big difference with a panhard bar, MM makes one that fits with full exhuast. Coil overs would help as well.
The steering slop is due to the rack, a solid steering shaft may help a tad, but there will still be play. Flaming river makes a power steering rack that is supposed to get rid of it, it's on my upgrade list.
 
F

fatboyq

Founding Member
Nov 1, 2000
146
0
0
Mar 18, 2004
#6
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #6
I got some no name struts and shocks on ther now. I want the tokikos for 270 for the set of 4 and see if it will help. I got pony on there with continental conti sport as tires 225/50/16. I know they suck I want nitto 555 in back with some kuhmo escta up front.
 

Black Sun 5.0

Founding Member
Mar 23, 2002
1,337
0
36
L.I., N.Y.
Mar 18, 2004
#7
  • Mar 18, 2004
  • #7
I had the Tokico shock/strut/spring kit installed. Rides nice and handles well.
 

bird

Founding Member
Dec 27, 2001
342
0
0
Garden City, NY
Mar 19, 2004
#8
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #8
fatboyq said:
got a 88GT so far i have installed eibach pro kit, steeda strut tower brace, 2 point lower brace, full lenght subframe connecters 4pt, upper and lower control arms, welded torque boxes etc.. replaced wheel bearings, and bushing in the front with polyurethne bushings. the steering has some play in it when you move the wheel it moves a little first before the car moves and makes a humming noise when doing so, i replaced the power steering pump already. what can i do next to make it handle????
Click to expand...

Well,
It could be your steering rack is shot. How many miles are on it?
Check your steering shaft, That is the piece between the firewall and steering rack. The bushing could be shot and give you that play in the steering wheel. As for the other parts, you are doing a good job of up-grading your suspension on a 16-year-old car. But I think you are missing a few key parts.
One for starters is you need a set of caster/camber plates. That will allow you or the suspension tuner to dial in more camber and caster than factory settings.
What did you do for new shocks and struts on your car?
After you installed the springs, did you have the car re-aligned?
What about the ball joints and bushings on the A-arms?


Rob
 
T

Thunder5.0

New Member
Jul 25, 2003
142
0
0
Mar 19, 2004
#9
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #9
Get a heavy duty rear sway bar along with the control arms. Then spend $ on a good set of tires.
 

T_5.0_N'works

New Member
Sep 30, 2003
260
0
0
Texas
Mar 19, 2004
#10
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #10
DO not get Kumho Supra Ecsta's up front, you will regret it, just do nitto 555's all around. There are plenty of better tires though, they cost $$$$.
 

Gravel

Member
Mar 17, 2004
216
0
16
Bellingham WA
Mar 19, 2004
#11
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #11
I am tired of expensive crappy tires myself and since the car is my sunshine car I'm just gonna put VictoRacers all the way around.. That should take care of it
 

93 LX

Founding Member
Jun 2, 2000
3,081
3
0
Norwalk, CA.
Mar 19, 2004
#12
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #12
check the rag joint on the steering rod.
 

stangbear427

Active Member
Nov 11, 2002
2,401
1
49
New England
Mar 19, 2004
#13
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #13
fatboyq said:
I got some no name struts and shocks on ther now. I want the tokikos for 270 for the set of 4 and see if it will help. I got pony on there with continental conti sport as tires 225/50/16. I know they suck I want nitto 555 in back with some kuhmo escta up front.
Click to expand...
These are the most important parts you've left out. The shock absorbers job is to keep the tires planted to the road. If you don't have good ones, they won't. If you don't have good tires, it doesn't matter what else you do.
Everybody pretty much covered the steering issues/fixes already; I'll second the vote for a panhard. A GT witha fresh stock suspension and panhard can outhandle your average spring/shock modified car. The lack of positive location of our rear axle is one of the main problems with the fox suspension. If you have a GT you don't need a stiffer anti-sway bar yet, there are more important things to do first- like the shocks, c/c plates and panhard. Not to mention tires! If money is an issue, I've had good luck with Nitto 450's. V rated, cheaper than the 555's, wear better, last longer, better in the rain. Best, you can get them in a 16". I think last time I paid $350 for all four.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Mar 19, 2004
#14
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #14
fatboyq said:
I got some no name struts and shocks on ther now.
Click to expand...

There ya go. That's why it handles crappy.


My car didn't handle well until i put my Tokico's on
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Mar 19, 2004
#15
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #15
T_5.0_N'works said:
DO not get Kumho Supra Ecsta's up front, you will regret it,
Click to expand...

Why not? I have them all around on my car. Very good tire for $100 for 235/45/17's. I am very spirted in my driving so i put these tires through their paces all the time. I would buy em again.
 

stangbear427

Active Member
Nov 11, 2002
2,401
1
49
New England
Mar 19, 2004
#16
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #16
How are they in the rain?
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,265
17,952
224
Massachusetts
Mar 19, 2004
#17
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #17
They are excellent in the rain. Of course we drive Mustangs so they will always spin tires in the rain, but i am not afraid to drive "spirited" on wet roads with them. They rank right up there with my Pirelli P7000's in wet performance but are about $90 a tire cheaper. I used to fear driving in the rain. Now it's no big deal.

Just don't drive in any accumulated snow with them. They don't work in snow at all
 

Ray III

New Member
Feb 10, 2004
586
0
0
fixin Boomhower's John Deere in Troy, NY
Mar 19, 2004
#18
  • Mar 19, 2004
  • #18
3PSI deviation from proper tire air pressure will affect handling.
 
S

sublime29

New Member
Mar 18, 2004
110
0
0
Mar 20, 2004
#19
  • Mar 20, 2004
  • #19
No car will handle well if the driver is not smooth with the wheel.I'm not sayin you crank on the wheel like its a 18 wheeler but try drivin smoother not fast abrupt turns but slow and calculated ones.A loose wheel could be the tie rod ends(very cheap).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
206
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
229
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
New to me 98 Cobra
  • bird_dog0347
  • Feb 25, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
26
Views
1K
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Mar 24, 2026
FastDriver
For Sale 3-owner 1987 Mustang GT, $18K obro, Lancaster CA
  • Bill Cool
  • Oct 6, 2024
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
4
Views
2K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Oct 13, 2024
nickyb
SOLD SOLD!!!! 1993 Notchback Roadracer For Sale. She's a beast!
  • Boydster
  • Apr 25, 2025
  • Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93)
Replies
0
Views
1K
Fox Body Mustangs For Sale (1979-93) Apr 25, 2025
Boydster
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?