What are good shocks to use on Classic Mustang?

[bnickel]

i'm not 100% sure that the granadas are the problem as i've never had a set myself, but it definately sounds like the problem other people have had with them. i don't think the problem is with the height of the spindle but actually with steering arm angle or something, maybe slip angle or ackerman angle but i'm pretty sure it is with the slip angle. check out www.gt350clone.com and read about Bob's experience with the granadas. i would also do what hack suggested and pull the springs and move the suspension up and down on both sides to see if it binds anywhere, if it does then that is likely where your problem is, if not then i would suspect the spindles even more. the only way to fix the problem with the granada spindles that i know of is to replace them with a unit designed for the mustang. you might also check out www.corner-carvers.com and do a search for granada spindles or just granada and you'll find a lot of info on them, just be careful if you post a quaestion those guys can be pretty brutal with their responses. i have really bad back problems too,(degenerative disc disease, fibromayalgia and osteoarthritis) so i completely understand what you're saying, however the idea of the adjustable shocks on the street is to set them where you have a good balance of handling and ride and then leave them there, that would require getting under the car a few times but once you have them set you're done. if you do go that route i would start with the middle adjustment front and rear and the go stiffer in the front and softer in the rear and then vice-versa to get an idea of what suits you best, but i imagine you would prefer stiffer in the front and softer in the rear, at least that's what my back likes anyway a larger front bar may help some as well but if it is the granada spindles giving you problems a larger bar may make it worse.

 

[66 BLAKE 96]

It's my understanding that the Granada issue doesn't really rear it's ugly head unless you are running the combo of: Granada/Shelby drop/BIG wheels.

I personally have never run into any goofy Granada stuff (had the Granada brake setup since '96), but I don't have big wheels or the Shelby drop.

 

[Max Power]

Shocks main function is to control spring oscillations. While getting peformance shocks for an undersprung car will improve handling, albeit temporarily, you are asking the shocks to do the springs and sway bars work for them. If you look at how shocks are mounted, you can see the folly in this.

Upgrade your springs and sway bars and you will be well on your way.

I use the KYBs BTW. They are the best bang for the buck, IMO...

 

[oz]

Thanks again for the replies. I will surely get the KYB 'Gas Adjust' shocks from CJ Pony... for $117/set how can I lose?

Is there any way to check the front springs? The ride height is correct so I have always assumed they were fine. Wouldn't the car sit lower if the front springs were shot (since the spring rate would have changed, thus compressing furthur under the same weight)? I have a spring compressor so it's relatively easy for me to take them out (and check for smooth movement of the suspension).

bnickle,
yea, ddd, buldged disk - 3 spine injections and lots of therapy and sitting around in the last year... I wonder if rebuilding the engine, stripping and detailing the front third of the car had anything to do with it
It took me a year to do a 6 month project because of it. Glad it's done - I don't think I will ever be able to take on a project like that again.

 

[Hack]

bnickle,
That actually kind of sounds like the problem... like the front stays raised into the corner and then drops. If I hold the wheel steady, the car quickly grabs and turns as the drop happens.... It's strange because I used the correct Granada ball joints, etc and the spindles were the same height (between the lower and upper attachments) as the original ones. What do people do to fix the spindle/camber issue with Granada parts? Can I improve this with different alignment specs? If so, does anyone have them?
Thanks!

I don't know anything about problems with Granada spindles, but I'd be surprised if that's what's causing this. I don't think it's the shocks either. I still think there's something binding or worn out in your suspension or steering. The whole bit about a delayed response really reminds me of the handling problems I had before I replaced my worn out front suspension parts. It's not that the geometry is wrong, it's that the geometry changes in the middle of a turn (at least that's my impression from reading your explanation).

If the recommendation from the manufacturer is to not lubricate the polygrafite parts, don't do it. I've never used any type of polyurethane stuff. Maybe after 8 years of sitting it's just worn out. I don't know. A good suspension shop should be able to help, and it may be worth it to just go to them for this. Nothing can substitute for looking at the actual parts.

Good shocks will improve the ride, though. So if you buy some and it doesn't improve this problem, they will still improve your ride once you track down the cause.

Good luck.

 

[bnickel]

bnickle,
yea, ddd, buldged disk - 3 spine injections and lots of therapy and sitting around in the last year... I wonder if rebuilding the engine, stripping and detailing the front third of the car had anything to do with it
It took me a year to do a 6 month project because of it. Glad it's done - I don't think I will ever be able to take on a project like that again.[/QUOTE]

i've had two operations also, the first was 5 years ago to take out two bulging discs in my neck and fuse the verterbrae and add a steel plate and six screws to hold me together, the last one was actually on my shoulder but stemmed from the other problems, that one was about 7 months ago and the removed a bone spur that was sitting right on top of the main tendon in my left shoulder and they also had to resection part of the A.C. joint. one thing i will tell you is not have any surgeries until you just absolutely cannot stand it anymore. as far as injections go i lost count after about 20 or so, i've had about 15 or 16 MRI's done over the last 6 or 7 years as well. only advice i can really give you is to exercise as much as you can, that really seems to be the only thing that helps, unfortunately i sit at a desk all day and don't really have any time to exercise either so i'm probably worse off than i could be.

 

[Psydwaze]

There's a new high end option available now.
VariShock Bolt-Ins

Here is a link to the data sheet. (PDF)