i have an 87 mustang gt. when i hit the brakes and let go of the steering wheel, the wheel turns about 2-3 inches side to side. its a very uniform wiggle. i just did the front pads and rotors. its always did this. i knew the pads and rotors wouldnt fix it, but it needed brakes. i am thinking brake hoses? the ball joints seemed okay when i was doing the brakes. i didnt check any tie rod ends or anything tho. the car has 61k miles on it.
side to side while braking
- Thread starter octaneforce
- Start date
Random thoughts about your description:
Have the alignment checked. You could be toe in/out, have a problem with the steering rack not staying stationary (I'd think you'd notice this just going down the road w/out braking tho), or like you said, a tie-rod end that's not up to snuff. The other thing that comes to mind are perhaps, worn A-arm bushings.
When you coast down a level road, does it veer one way or the other?
When you replaced your pads and rotors, did you look over the calipers really good? What kind of condition are they in? Have they ever been rebuilt/replaced?
You might also pop the top off of your master cylinder... Start the engine, let it idle and brake hard (from a stop). After the application of the brakes, just sit there with the pedal down and have someone else look into the MC and see of you're getting any fluid return (would indicate fluid getting back past the plunger).
Have the alignment checked. You could be toe in/out, have a problem with the steering rack not staying stationary (I'd think you'd notice this just going down the road w/out braking tho), or like you said, a tie-rod end that's not up to snuff. The other thing that comes to mind are perhaps, worn A-arm bushings.
When you coast down a level road, does it veer one way or the other?
When you replaced your pads and rotors, did you look over the calipers really good? What kind of condition are they in? Have they ever been rebuilt/replaced?
You might also pop the top off of your master cylinder... Start the engine, let it idle and brake hard (from a stop). After the application of the brakes, just sit there with the pedal down and have someone else look into the MC and see of you're getting any fluid return (would indicate fluid getting back past the plunger).
Flavadave4
Active Member
it doesnt seem to veer while im driving it down a road. however, i did notice that the a arm bushings are very very dried up. the calipers looked pretty good. i dont remember the last time they were replaced tho. ill also do the mc check that you mentioned. where could i get a set of poly a arm bushings? i think im gonna start there since they should be replaced regardless.
the tires have about 3k miles on them (this car doesnt get driven much). i dont notice any uneven wear. this car has 20inch rims and the tires are 255's. i dont know the brand of the rim. il have to take a look later.
Wait, what???? 20 inch rims on a Fox? 
Uhhh... do you have a regular set of rims you can put on for troubleshooting at least? Do these monsters stick outside of the wheel wells? How much? What's the backspace and offset?
Oh, and the bushings.... I'd stick with OEM rubber replacements.
Uhhh... do you have a regular set of rims you can put on for troubleshooting at least? Do these monsters stick outside of the wheel wells? How much? What's the backspace and offset?
Oh, and the bushings.... I'd stick with OEM rubber replacements.
My guess is that it's steering related if a brake job did not cure the issue. Either that, or the brakes have "warped" again due to trying to stop massive 20" wheels. Keep in mind, this car was designed originally for 14" and 15" wheels and Ford had to make changes to get 16" and 17" on there.
Shouldnt cause the issue, but it could be a contributor
Shouldnt cause the issue, but it could be a contributor
lol sorry it sounds crazy. but work with me, im trying to get information about a car from a woman. not always the easiest thing to do. she said they are 20's. il double check next time i look at it.
87_LX_5.0
Active Member
Flavadave4
Active Member
Flavadave4
Active Member
I didn't want to call BS on ya...I was shaking my head this morning looking at that picture thinking "man those done look crazy huge like I thought"
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