review of 03 cobra front A-arms

[blksn955.o]

Took the mustang out...need 2 new front tires and an align. Drove around and outside of needing an alignment the 03 A-arms are NICE. The ride is still kind of jacked due to the tires and align but the first thing I noticed is the car turns a good bit tighter and the tires used to rub at full lock....no more.

It seems like I just whip into parking spots. The ride is better and it feels more stable and predictable. I just wish the bullitt shocks/struts would settle a tad more...it sits a tad higher than it did with the tired tokico 5 ways that were on it.

The rear is really stiff but I think that is my fault. I need to loosen the bolts and put the load on the rear and re-tighten all the bolts I think having it un-loaded (dumb mistake, got done and and was like DAMN ) has made it a little rough.

 

[HISSIN50]

Glad you noticed a difference. The bushings in my OEM arms were ok but both felt about the same to me.

 

[juiced_94gt]

Took the mustang out...need 2 new front tires and an align. Drove around and outside of needing an alignment the 03 A-arms are NICE. The ride is still kind of jacked due to the tires and align but the first thing I noticed is the car turns a good bit tighter and the tires used to rub at full lock....no more.

It seems like I just whip into parking spots. The ride is better and it feels more stable and predictable. I just wish the bullitt shocks/struts would settle a tad more...it sits a tad higher than it did with the tired tokico 5 ways that were on it.

The rear is really stiff but I think that is my fault. I need to loosen the bolts and put the load on the rear and re-tighten all the bolts I think having it un-loaded (dumb mistake, got done and and was like DAMN ) has made it a little rough.

Did they make your front wheels stick out more? I've heard it happens I have had mine sitting in the garage for over a year and fear my front wheels sticking out anymore.

 

[inphiniti]

this is great to know, i as well have a set sitting in the garage waiting for me...

 

[Chythar]

Did they make your front wheels stick out more? I've heard it happens I have had mine sitting in the garage for over a year and fear my front wheels sticking out anymore.

Yes, they do add 3/8" on each side. On my Cobra clone, they brought the wheels just about even with the fenders, they didn't stick out. This is with the stock k-member. If you have an aftermarket k-member, I couldn't tell you.

 

[blksn955.o]

They do stick out just a tad more like said above.

I am running a 17x9.5 rim in front with a 275x40 tire. They already stuck out a tad...it is not much worse. I am/was already thinking of going down to a 265 or maybe a 255 wide tire if I can find a nice short sidewall so it does not stick out with the 315x35's in back.

I am not expecting miracles with the bushings and ride after all it is just stock stuff. I do like the fact almost all my bushings are new, new ball joints, and I went and replaced my tie rods as well. The only things on the entire suspension that has not been replaced is the axle bushings (ones for the uppers on he axle) and the rack bushings (have the rack bushings, just went ahead and got energy ones instead of solids).

 

[wytstang]

Did you notice the front end come up any? Some the guy on sn95forums have reported the 03 a arms raised the front end up a bit.

 

[Chythar]

Didn't notice that myself. When reinstalling the spring, you have to be careful on how you align the spring or you will raise the front end up. There are two holes in the spring pocket on all a-arms. The end of the spring must be between the two holes; the bottom hole must be clear to drain water and debris.

If the second hole is also clear, the spring will be higher and raise the front end up. I don't know these guys on the SN95forums, but it's possible they may have missed this detail.

 

[HISSIN50]

Or they didnt preload the suspension before torqueing the LCA-to-K bolts.

I noted no front ride height difference.

 

[blksn955.o]

Mine is about the same. I know the lower spring part is in the pocket, not sure on if its in the middle of either hole. I also had the susp. loaded in front. I put the jacks right on the area were the 2 holes are. Dropped the weight on the car and tightened the lower A-arm bolts on each side.

 

[WhiteCobra95]

I just installed the D arms on mine this weekend along with C-springs and the bullit struts, shocks. I have to do a couple more small things, then it will be back on the road. Even with 17k on the car, the front end felt terrible with the factory parts (bad on-center feel, bad wondering/tram-lining, and lots of body roll). I will report back on how it feels.

Are you running the stock strut plates? This makes me wonder now if the stock plates will work for -0.5 deg camber for the street or if we're going to have to go with aftermarket caster/camber plates.

 

[blksn955.o]

I am running the stock caster camber plates/strut plates. You should not need them until your in the 1.00-1.25 lower than stock range.