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

Steering And Brakes Help Please

  • Thread starter Thread starter cadams155
  • Start date Start date Aug 17, 2014

cadams155

Member
Apr 20, 2014
61
2
9
Tampa Bay, Fl
Aug 17, 2014
#1
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • #1
Just finished my 5.0 conversion on my 91 LX. I replaced all of the steering system (rack, pump, lines, rag joint, and had to remove the steering shaft during my swap.)

My question is if a sport steering rack is supposed to take more effort to turn the wheel than the standard rack that was in when it was a 2.3.

Also upgraded to urethane bushings and CC plates. I have the 17x9 wheels too.

On the brakes side, I have never driven a 5.o car before so I dont know what normal is. I updated the entire braking system to be stock 5.0 as well. Changed everything. The entire car is as if it rolled off the assembly line with a 5.0. Is it possible to lock up the brakes on with the size wheels I'm running? It just feels like I should be able to brake harder than I can. I can stop the car, just cant lock it up. Have a new booster and master cylinder installed as well.

Thanks.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Aug 17, 2014
#2
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • #2
Best thing you can do to a stock Mustang brake system is get the Maximum Motorsports brake upgrade kit- it has upgraded hawk pads, shoes, stainless steel brake lines, and stainless steel caliper bushings. For around $250 you will see a huge increase in stopping.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Aug 17, 2014
#3
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • #3
The stock system will not lock the front wheels if you have sticky tires and hard brake pads.
Follow the advices given by @mikestang63 and you should see some improvement.
 
Reactions: cadams155

cadams155

Member
Apr 20, 2014
61
2
9
Tampa Bay, Fl
Aug 17, 2014
#4
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • #4
Ok that's what I was thinking. Im going to bleed the system again to be on the safe side. My next brake job will be an upgrade. This time around was just to get the car road worthy again.


Any input on the steering effort change between standard and sport steering racks? Thanks.
 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 28, 2004
3,356
208
114
Ohio
Aug 17, 2014
#5
  • Aug 17, 2014
  • #5
The best feeling Steering Rack for a Fox will be from an 03-04 Cobra, it will increase the steering effort and get rid of the loose Fox feeling.
 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician
Aug 27, 2012
11,606
8,859
214
In the garage
Aug 18, 2014
#6
  • Aug 18, 2014
  • #6
Or you can get a different diameter power steering pulley that will also eliminate most of the slop. Can't remember who sells them but I'm sure someone else knows.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,216
17,899
224
Massachusetts
Aug 19, 2014
#7
  • Aug 19, 2014
  • #7
Yes, the sport rack is stiffer than the 2.3 rack.

Locking up the wheels is a poor judge of braking ability. If you have awesome tires on, you will have a harder time locking the wheels up than if you had pep boys specials
 
Reactions: cadams155

cadams155

Member
Apr 20, 2014
61
2
9
Tampa Bay, Fl
Aug 23, 2014
#8
  • Aug 23, 2014
  • #8
Mustang5L5 said:
Yes, the sport rack is stiffer than the 2.3 rack.

Locking up the wheels is a poor judge of braking ability. If you have awesome tires on, you will have a harder time locking the wheels up than if you had pep boys specials
Click to expand...

Awesome thank you. I have primewells on it. They were on sale at firestone for 60 each installed. Couldn't turn that down. They handle really nice. The braking has improved greatly as I wear into the new pads and rotors/drums more.

Thanks for the input on the steering. I did end up taking everything back apart again, re-greased all the bearings, and ended up having to adjust the length of the shaft. It was putting too much pressure on the rag joint. Steering is still stiffer than the standard rack, but its much better. I think you are right and the extra stiffness is due to the sport rack. Now I just have to fix the wheel rub on full turns.

Thanks again for the input.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Strange steering/brake issue
  • Haxmaster
  • Jun 2, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
51
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jun 3, 2026
squeak93
Suspension 87 steering wheel slightly wobbles after new Rag joint install
  • R82148V
  • Jun 16, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
891
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 24, 2025
R82148V
Sloppy steering wheel
  • cnorman31
  • Nov 1, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
4
Views
254
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Nov 2, 2025
Monkeybutt2000
M
J
Wheels-Tires Need Some Help - Brakes Upgrade/Wheel fitment
  • jaygee15
  • Dec 8, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 3 4 5
Replies
81
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 6, 2026
AeroCoupe
8
87 lx 4cyl to v8 project 4 lug disc conversion questions
  • 87lx428
  • Mar 24, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
478
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 25, 2026
87lx428
8
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?