Since these questions don't directly concern the parts included in most front end suspension rebuilds, and my thread was long enough already, I decided to make it separate so that each question got some attention.
First, I am wondering if my springs are sagging, primarily so i have a feel for where it'll be with new coils. I saw Marlon from Fly Fords in Chatsworth a few weeks ago and he was surprised my stock springs (stock height/spring rate) were so low, even taking into consideration I have done the Shelby drop and have a 351w. The springs are about 10 years old (though they only have maybe 10k miles on them, still getting up there I guess). See pic below. Note that I have larger tires in the rear… 225 60r15 vs. 225 50r15 (had to switch to 50s in front because of rubbing)... also the street is slightly inclined up towards the front of the car.
Second, I wanted to know if any of my other components will need upgrading/changing if I upgrade the rest of my suspension (either by getting drop coils/poly bushings or by going all out with new control arms, roller perches, etc). Marlon said my tie rod ends, specifically, ‘weren’t up to the task’ and that he’d want to replace them. Not sure what he meant by that (he didn’t say they were bad necessarily), so I don’t know if I should expect to get high performance tie rod ends (if they exist…) or if he was trying to sell me a set of them or what. Anyway, will any of those ‘other parts’, the ones not usually mentioned in suspension upgrade threads, such as idler arms, tie rods, etc need upgrading?
Third, I am considering chucking my power steering while I’m in there. Can I just pull it off, chuck the pulley and go? Or do other parts need replacing? Do the conversion kits from places like NPD have everything I need and work well?
I think that’s it.
Enough topic starting for today… sorry for the
First, I am wondering if my springs are sagging, primarily so i have a feel for where it'll be with new coils. I saw Marlon from Fly Fords in Chatsworth a few weeks ago and he was surprised my stock springs (stock height/spring rate) were so low, even taking into consideration I have done the Shelby drop and have a 351w. The springs are about 10 years old (though they only have maybe 10k miles on them, still getting up there I guess). See pic below. Note that I have larger tires in the rear… 225 60r15 vs. 225 50r15 (had to switch to 50s in front because of rubbing)... also the street is slightly inclined up towards the front of the car.
Second, I wanted to know if any of my other components will need upgrading/changing if I upgrade the rest of my suspension (either by getting drop coils/poly bushings or by going all out with new control arms, roller perches, etc). Marlon said my tie rod ends, specifically, ‘weren’t up to the task’ and that he’d want to replace them. Not sure what he meant by that (he didn’t say they were bad necessarily), so I don’t know if I should expect to get high performance tie rod ends (if they exist…) or if he was trying to sell me a set of them or what. Anyway, will any of those ‘other parts’, the ones not usually mentioned in suspension upgrade threads, such as idler arms, tie rods, etc need upgrading?
Third, I am considering chucking my power steering while I’m in there. Can I just pull it off, chuck the pulley and go? Or do other parts need replacing? Do the conversion kits from places like NPD have everything I need and work well?
I think that’s it.
Enough topic starting for today… sorry for the