Suspension Tech's/Guru's Advice and Help

[OneStiffGT]

I have all the suspension mods that is listed in my signature in the bottom, and I got an issue with the car. The car makes a hell of a lot of flexing/cracking noises, specially when I am initially taking off, or pulling onto my driveway. Where should I start to inspect the problem? I've called Steeda and talked to them over the phone since I've got the 5 link 2 and that seems to be causing all the noises in the back since the noise is coming from behind, and their answer to me was that, its normal for it to making flexing/cracking noises, and if I really wanted to be sure, I should take it to them so they can charge me up s*** load of money and check it out for me

What I don't have and what I have been thinking is, I don't have the rear sturt tower brace, and maybe the flexing/cracking noises are caused because that seems to be te weak spot ,since all the suspension's load is on the strut towers. So I am really debating on getting a strut tower brace, but I really don't want to spend the money if its not going to help these noises, because it has come to a point that I am willing to sell the car, because I can't stand rattles or any other noise that the car is making. (It doesn't rattle, but like I have mentioned it sounds as if something is flexing)

 

[tomustang]

First of all, who installed all of this?

You can check every bolt to make sure they are tightened, seems like there is movement where something isn't tight enough thoughout all the hardware that comes with it

 

[san~man]

A rear STB is more a cosmetic piece than anything else. It also cuts your trunk space in half.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think that you have a pretty complex Mustang there, best to take it to a good speed shop and have it checked out.

 

[hotrodnut]

I have heard awful noises from some of the lower control arms used that has not had the supplied lube used on the sides of the bushings before installing. It may be the same situation with all the connection points of the 5-link where all the bushings are getting friction from their metal mounting counter parts. When your's were installed was any lube applied at those points? When you push up and down on the car does it make this noise?

 

[Torinalth]

honestly i dont understand the use of the 5 link... i was heavily looking into it at first, when i realized its just a slight correction for the UCA setup, and an attachment to the differential.... all in all a good theory, but way too many moving pieces for me to be comfortable with.

short answer, no, the rear STB will do nothing for you, the rear is built fairly solidly, there is almost no flex at all... even if there were then it still would not cause this.

my thoughts would be to the joints for both the upper and lower control arms binding. either like metioned earlier they were not properly lubed, or the UCAs were installed without the change in bushings. however this can also be caused by loose connections on the various parts... specifically the upper arms. it doesnt matter if you or a shop did the work... i'd put the back end up on ramps... get a couple sockets, a wrench and go to town on every connection you see a bolt.

after that i'd put the back end up on jack stands (use the back end of the SFCs) so the wheels are off the ground and the suspension is at full exntension. then use a jack on the differential and take it through its entire suspension travel till it lifts the car off the jack stands. see if there is anything screaming as a problem (noises, pops, contact with other areas.. etc) and then do the same with one axle side at a time (going as far out to the side as possible to jack it up to articulate the rear axle and simulate bumps and uneven surfaces). if everything else looks fine... well... then either deal with it, or pay steeda. 5 link is 2 to many links in my opinion. UCAs are the bane of the mustang.

Torinalth

 

[BooWFO]

some good info here.
Couple of things I'd like to add.
You are running Isolators ont he springs right? I've heard some without and they make TONS of noise.
have you checked the Pinion angle? My buddy, he owns a chassis shop, has us do them with the driver in the car.
You have checked to make sure nothing is binding or touching right? had a buddies foxbody hit the quad shocks and made all kinds of noise.
Lube and more lube???



Bigger soundsystem so you don't hear it

 

[Torinalth]

something thaat just came to mind. your LCAs should have grease fittings on the ends... grease them to hell and see if it helps.

Torinalth

 

[OneStiffGT]

I will be doing the lubing this week and reporting if there is any improvement. There are spring isolators. I will try the jack method as someone mentioned which sounds like very good and simple.

 

[tomustang]

I will be doing the lubing this week and reporting if there is any improvement. There are spring isolators. I will try the jack method as someone mentioned which sounds like very good and simple.

try to post back if/when you pinpoint the noise, therefore the next guy that has the 5 link can start looking closer in the spagatti steeda suspension