Suspension/Handling question plz help

J

jay90GT302

New Member

Mar 2, 2008

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Sep 15, 2008

#1

• Sep 15, 2008

• #1

My car handles pretty terrible i think, even for stock. I just put new monroe matic plus shocks and rear axle dampers in the rear but when i push down on the rear of the car, its still bouncy and springs back up alot. The front is stiffer, not much bounce when u compress it. So my question is does it mean my rear springs are shot if its that bouncy back there? There the 18 yr old stock springs as a far as i kno, so is it my best bet to put new lowering springs in?

 

93 LX

Founding Member

Jun 2, 2000

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Norwalk, CA.

Sep 15, 2008

#2

• Sep 15, 2008

• #2

not really, most of the time bad springs will show up by not sitting level. You could have a broken swaybar or bad bushings in the control arms.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,218

17,901

224

Massachusetts

Sep 15, 2008

#3

• Sep 15, 2008

• #3

If it's bouncy, it means the shocks are not doing their job of slowing the bounce down.

Monroe shocks are pretty meh anyway

 

J

jay90GT302

New Member

Mar 2, 2008

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Sep 16, 2008

#4

• Sep 16, 2008

• #4

yeah i'll have to post a pic, sometimes it looks like there is less wheel gap on one rear wheel or the rear is a lil lower than the front. The previous owner had a heavy sub box back there, would that have stressed or fatigued certain susp parts?

 

93 LX

Founding Member

Jun 2, 2000

3,081

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Norwalk, CA.

Sep 16, 2008

#5

• Sep 16, 2008

• #5

Check to make sure the springs are pointed in the same direction. What I mean is at the top where the spring hits the upper cup. Sometimes they turn and cause the rear to lean to one side or another.

 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta

Founding Member

Nov 22, 2001

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Motor City

Sep 16, 2008

#6

• Sep 16, 2008

• #6

I would get a new set of shocks and struts all the way around. Then go with a good set of lowering springs like Ford Racing or Steeda. I would do ball joints and tie rods too. All that stuff is old and wore out. You'd haate to have a balljoint or tie rod brake while driving.

 

Mikey1968

Member

Nov 1, 2003

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Kommiefornia

Sep 16, 2008

#7

• Sep 16, 2008

• #7

Start with subframe connectors, then strut tower brace....also install poly sway bar mounts. Then, get some Ford MS rear upper control arms. Then a lower K-member brace. That will get you a good start. Brand new Gas Matics should be fine for a street car until your much later full spring and strut/shock upgrade.....AFTER you do the things I mentioned above.

Done this on two 5.0Ls now.....

 

M

matm347

Founding Member

Aug 29, 2000

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Sep 17, 2008

#8

• Sep 17, 2008

• #8

Mikey1968 said:

Start with subframe connectors, then strut tower brace....also install poly sway bar mounts. Then, get some Ford MS rear upper control arms. Then a lower K-member brace. That will get you a good start. Brand new Gas Matics should be fine for a street car until your much later full spring and strut/shock upgrade.....AFTER you do the things I mentioned above.

Click to expand...

I suggest this as well....I'd put the rear control arms(w/spherical bearings) higher on the priority list as the side/side movement of the factory rear suspension is not acceptable by todays standards...my panhard bar was one of the best upgrades I've ever made.

 

Mikey1968

Member

Nov 1, 2003

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Kommiefornia

Sep 17, 2008

#9

• Sep 17, 2008

• #9

Yeah, I've heard a panhard rod is one of the best suspension upgrades you can do. Did you have any exhaust interference? What brand did you go with?