Suspension advice not for racing!

03redgtstang · May 22, 2007

Sorry to beat a dead horse here, but I am looking to increase the ride quality of my 03 gt. I have searched around alot on suspension but pretty much the majority of the advice given has been pertaining building the car for track/racing. I plan on doing bolt-ons and what not but dont want to get into s/c or anything crazy. The front end of my car feels pretty lose to tell you the truth and every bump I hit is just felt all the way through. Everything now on it is stock. I am not looking to build the suspension for racing just want to have the ride be much smoother. What is likely the problem of my front end feeling loose, too? Its like if I go over a bump and am not holding the steering wheel secure It will jump around like crazy. Also, Can I drop the car and still keep a smooth ride instead of it being bumpy? Basically what kind of of set up do you recommend for just increasing the ride quality. All advice is appreciated Thanks guys!

Kilgore Trout · May 22, 2007

Maximum Motorsports steering rack bushings will tighten up the front end.

New dampers all the way around will make a huge difference in ride quality unless you install mad tyte racing ones yo.

DBMSTNG · May 22, 2007

the Bullit and Mach 1 suspensions are great at providing much improved handling while retaining good ride quality.

03redgtstang · May 22, 2007

thanks for the quick reply/advice guys, appreciate it. Anyone else?

03redgtstang · May 22, 2007

anyone got the best places to get these items?

Kilgore, I read on on the steering rack bushings but MM doesn't recommend for stock K member
____

Why offset rack bushings are a bad idea for stock K-members

Although sold by many as a supposed cure for bumpsteer, installing offset steering rack bushings on a stock K-member make an acceptable situation far worse than if you had done nothing at all. How do we know this? Because we did testing. We measured the bumpsteer, both with and without offset rack bushings. Our test results were first published in the July 1993 issue of Super Ford. See "here" for more about bumpsteer.

Kilgore Trout · May 23, 2007

03redgtstang said:
anyone got the best places to get these items?

Kilgore, I read on on the steering rack bushings but MM doesn't recommend for stock K member
____

Why offset rack bushings are a bad idea for stock K-members

Although sold by many as a supposed cure for bumpsteer, installing offset steering rack bushings on a stock K-member make an acceptable situation far worse than if you had done nothing at all. How do we know this? Because we did testing. We measured the bumpsteer, both with and without offset rack bushings. Our test results were first published in the July 1993 issue of Super Ford. See "here" for more about bumpsteer.

MM does not recommend OFFSET rack bushings for stock K.

You have cheap azz stock rubber bushings. They are very degraded I am sure. Replace them with either the MM urethane or the MM aluminum (non-offset) for stock K. Its cheap and easy and makes a nice difference in the feel of the steering and front end.

Skud · May 23, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
MM does not recommend OFFSET rack bushings for stock K.

You have cheap azz stock rubber bushings. They are very degraded I am sure. Replace them with either the MM urethane or the MM aluminum (non-offset) for stock K. Its cheap and easy and makes a nice difference in the feel of the steering and front end.

+1. I just did this along with the solid steering shaft and it made a night and day improvement.

The MM non-offset solid rack bushings have a spherical washer that sits against the k member to correct any irregularities in the stock K member.

I just bought the whole front end kit and it came with:

- Urethene control arm bushings
- New swaybar end links with urethane bushings
- Solid steering shaft
- Solid rack bushings
- MM's famous C/C plates

I think that's it.. It was well worth it IMO. Makes the car much more responsive and predictable.. Especially the solid steering shaft. Once you get the stock one off and you see that flimsy rag joint you'll know you did the right thing. It's also a good idea in case you get longtubes as they tend to melt rag joints.

Edit:

I just noticed that one of your issues is that your steering wheel turns by itself when going over bumps.. The solid shaft probably won't help with this. I noticed that when I go over some bumps the steering wheel does move a LITTLE more now, but nothing major. In fact mine didn't move much to begin with, so I'm wondering if your issue is caused by something else??

Riley

03redgtstang · May 23, 2007

Thanks for the reply guys. Ill check em out. I only saw the offset ones listed at MM before so I was confused. Appreciace the advice!

Kilgore Trout · May 23, 2007

Steering wheel turning by itself most likely causes:
-crappy tires
-poor alignment
-bad road surface
-tire pressure not set to the correct pressure of 32.5 pounds
-some combination of the above

tomustang · May 23, 2007

Skud said:
I just noticed that one of your issues is that your steering wheel turns by itself when going over bumps..

look at the tie rods, one might be bad

03redgtstang · May 23, 2007

Kilgore Trout said:
Steering wheel turning by itself most likely causes:
-tire pressure not set to the correct pressure of 32.5 pounds
-some combination of the above

Thats not true of all tires?

Skud · May 23, 2007

03redgtstang said:
Thats not true of all tires?

I think between 30 - 35 is OK.. Also, make sure each tire is as close to the same pressure as possible..

Riley

topless98gt · May 23, 2007

I've already got my H&R Super Sports springs and MM Caster Camber plates.

I need to get a lot more after reading this thread. I thought what I had left to get was only my Bilsteins and MM LCAs.

Thanks 03redgtstang for creating this thread!

03redgtstang · May 23, 2007

^ no problemo. One question though Im looking at these steering rack bushings MM has. The title just says steering rack bushings but in the description they are talking about offset ones so its throwing me off thinking these are offset. I cant give a link becuase it wont go directly to the site but if you search steering rack bushings at maximummotorsports.com, 4 will come up. Are these all good to use or are these the offset ones.

THANKS.

Skud · May 23, 2007

I think what you need is a MMST-7

Linky

Riley

03redgtstang · May 23, 2007

Skud said:
I think what you need is a MMST-7

Linky

Riley

Thanks man
Thats the one I was looking at but I what I was sayin was in the description they start talking about offset bushings and how they are good, but then they say they dont recommend them for the stock k. So I was just making sure those werent the offset ones. I Didnt see offset ones on the site so i was just trying to differentiate

khuntsinger · May 23, 2007

I have always been told to use the tire pressure that is located on the door jamb label. I think it's on the drivers door?? My 02 gt lists 30psi all around.

Of course if you have different size tires than stock that probably doesn't apply.

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