Spongy rear suspension, but i have KYB GR-2's...???

[Brian68GT]

I have the car over a year now but the KYB's were on the car when i bought it. They dont look very old but i have no idea how long they are on the car.

If you press on the rear wing with only the slightest pressure it drops down easily, so you can imagine what its like around corners.

Is this spongyness caused by worn out rear leafs or could i have dodgy shocks?

The front isnt great either but not as bad.

I have new lower, stiffer front coils which are going on in the sping along with a 1" sway bar, new bushings (badly needed) etc so i could easily replace the shocks and/or the rear leafs at the same time, but i dont want to throw out good shocks.

Any advice?

Thanks

Brian

 

[HistoricMustang]

Any idea how old the rear springs are? Count the number of "leafs" and let us know. Both shocks and springs are not that expensive.

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Brian68GT]

There are 4 leafs making up the spring and they look like they could easily have been on the car since 1968!

 

[HistoricMustang]

Brian, go ahead and replace the shocks. Even on my track car I run an off the shelf $12 shock from AutoZone on the rear. They are simply not that important (am sure others will jump in here). Then when you raise some additional monies move to the 4 1/2 leaf or perhaps the 5 leaf rear springs. Try to get the ones made in the good old USA - mine came from Mustangs Plus.

Hang in there and put up those questions!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[one2gamble]

check out the warranty on the KYB's but the GR-2's are the softer of the two KYBs from what I recall

 

[Brian68GT]

To be honest, as i live in Ireland its just not worth buying parts in dribs and drabs due to the cost of postage, so i think i'll make use of the strong euro against the $ and buy new springs and shocks. At least that way i sort out the problem.

One more question for Historic:

I have coild springs I got form NPD (not fitted yet). They are 1" lower and have a rating of 550 (didnt want too harsh a ride as the car is only used on the street). When i get the suspension parts fitted in the new year i'm going to get the Shelby drop done, and probably new upper and lower control arms etc.

With this in mind, which rears leafs would compliement this front set up? Standard, mid-eye....? Gas-a-just shocks instead of new GR-2's?

Thanks.

Brian

 

[HistoricMustang]

Brian, I would suggest at least the mid eyes and perhaps the reverse eyes on the rear springs. Rear shocks are not that "important" on the early models. Use the money elsewhere.

If you have not yet had a chance, go to:

www.historicmustang.com/tech.html

Perhaps some of the info will help.

I am off to bed as 5:00 AM comes very soon!

HistoricMustang
www.historicmustang.com

 

[Max Power]

GR2s are low pressure gas shocks, gas-adjusts are high pressure. IMO, high pressure handle better and last longer. Low pressure are for vans, not sports cars.

I would go mid-eye leaf in the rear, which should give you a little forward rake.