What could be a good budget front suspension setup?

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

0

46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Aug 31, 2007

#1

• Aug 31, 2007

• #1

Hey guys, I am looking to replace a few things on my front suspension but I need a little help. My car has 122k miles on it so I think its time to do some preventative maintenance/upgrades. I need to replace the wheel bearings, a couple brake parts and then I want the car to sit a little lower in the front. Im thinking some new bushings, maybe take out the isolators (maybe get the MM ones?) or something of the sort. I was also thinking of buying some stock struts from a newer mustang with less miles and putting them in there. Got any other ideas to lower the car a little, do some preventative maintenance, and some performance upgrades?

 

94-302-vert

Active Member

Aug 16, 2004

1,947

2

36

NE CT

Aug 31, 2007

#2

• Aug 31, 2007

• #2

03 cobra control arms, fms springs, then some cheap struts... I used the KYBs...

 

earleys94gt

Active Member

Aug 31, 2003

1,223

16

49

Ashley, Ohio

Aug 31, 2007

#3

• Aug 31, 2007

• #3

You should be able to have a budget of $600-$700 I think, maybe add in another $100 for any unseen expenses you may come upon.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Aug 31, 2007

#4

• Aug 31, 2007

• #4

You really don't need to do wheel bearings till they start to show issues IMHO. They aren't cheap like fox III fronts (ours are sealed).

I'd agree about the Terminator control arms. You get fresh BJ's and FLCA bushings that way. I've used poly bushings and new ball joints in old arms and it isn't worth it IMHO.

I would not leave an isolator out but that's a personal thing. I'd rather get some used front lowering springs for not much cash instead.

Tokico HP's are a pretty good bang for the buck too.

Don't forget items like sway bar bushings and end links. Also rack bushings and top strut bushings if you dont have CC plates. Check your tie rods as well.

It can really snowball fast if you decide to start renewing all the wear items.

Good luck.

 

94CobraPace

Founding Member

Aug 30, 2000

907

1

0

Houston, Tx.

Aug 31, 2007

#5

• Aug 31, 2007

• #5

03 Cobra front A arms
03 Cobra front Bilstein struts or Mach or Bullit struts
Sway bar bushings

No need to change the front bearings as they are sealed unless they are starting to whine.

 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

0

46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Sep 1, 2007

#6

• Sep 1, 2007

• #6

Forgot to mention I already have Eibach pro's in my car. I have heard about the 03 cobra A-arms, what benefits do they offer and would it be worth the money to go with some tubulars instead?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Sep 1, 2007

#7

• Sep 1, 2007

• #7

The Cobra arms are fairly cheap and have new, harder durometer bushings and new improved BJ's. They can allow the turning radius to be decreased as well. They really are a nice bang for the buck. If your old arms' components are in kinda ok shape, you might not feel a big difference, but the new arms should outlast the car.
Can't comment on tubulars.

 

B

baglock1

The Bartender

Founding Member

Aug 25, 2001

6,612

1

78

Space Coast, FL

Sep 1, 2007

#8

• Sep 1, 2007

• #8

BlueOvalStangGT said:

<snip>...would it be worth the money to go with some tubulars instead?

Click to expand...

No. Unless you're planning to put some serious cash into your suspension, both front and rear, don't bother with the tubular arms. Get the new control arms as mentioned and get the best struts you can afford. I'd suggest Bilsteins. You can get a brand new set for about $500 and they'll be worth every penny. If that's not an option, just pick up some tokico HPs and call it a day.

 

Car Nut

Founding Member

Jul 6, 2000

1,176

1

37

Snellville, Georgia (Atlanta area)

Sep 2, 2007

#9

• Sep 2, 2007

• #9

Do the basic stuff listed above on the front, because if you're rear suspension is hurting at all, it will be more obvious when you get the front freshened up.

Save some $$$ or plan on a little for a few simple things in the rear: shocks, FRPP UCAs, and some RLCAs.

 

I

inphiniti

Active Member

Mar 15, 2003

412

3

28

Providence, RI

Sep 2, 2007

#10

• Sep 2, 2007

• #10

i have the HPs and love them... i was actually JUST lookin at the 03 Cobra control arms and i think im going to get them. StangSuspension has the kit for $165 i believe, thats real cheap...


EDIT: question... i was intending on keeping the stock control arms before deciding to go with the 03s... i was going to do a x2 ball joint kit and a bumpsteer kit... if i do the control arms, will i still need to do the bumpsteer kit... i know i wont need teh ball joint kit nemore...

 

Bosko5.0

Active Member

May 18, 2006

1,067

0

37

longwood, FL

Sep 3, 2007

#11

• Sep 3, 2007

• #11

Sorry Keven :OT: but .....

94CobraPace said:

03 Cobra front A arms
03 Cobra front Bilstein struts or Mach or Bullit struts
Sway bar bushings

No need to change the front bearings as they are sealed unless they are starting to whine.

Click to expand...

I have a whistling noise coming from the front of my car, I only notice it when going about 30mph it happens at lower speeds but not as noticable. I thought it might be the bearings. but was not sure. I can't seem to find the bearings???? can I just replace the hub???


Back On Topic. I think That the 03 control arms+tokico hp+springs+ swaybar bushings+ maybe flush steering fluid.

I have the tokico hp's on my car and now it doesn't nose dive as much, and handles alot better. But I might be getting bilsteins next time round.

 

I

inphiniti

Active Member

Mar 15, 2003

412

3

28

Providence, RI

Sep 6, 2007

#12

• Sep 6, 2007

• #12

bumpsteer kit still needed for this? anyone?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Sep 6, 2007

#13

• Sep 6, 2007

• #13

Bumpsteer: kinda depends on each car. I wish I had it (Prokit). But others with the PK don't seem to have any.

 

I

inphiniti

Active Member

Mar 15, 2003

412

3

28

Providence, RI

Sep 6, 2007

#14

• Sep 6, 2007

• #14

right... well im runnin sportlines and am about to get the 03 control arms, just didnt no if should or have to run a bump steer kit with it still.. id like to do everything at once...

btw i dont have HPs, i have whatever came stock in the 01 bullits for tokico...

 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

0

46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Sep 18, 2007

#15

• Sep 18, 2007

• #15

Bump, somewhere I read you can buy these mach tokicos for $86 a piece and I want to know where...anyone know?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Sep 19, 2007

#16

• Sep 19, 2007

• #16

Keven, I wanna know too. I remember that post.

 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

0

46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Dec 12, 2007

#17

• Dec 12, 2007

• #17

Well I got the 03 cobra A-arms for free, some 04 GT struts with 4k miles on them for $40 ( didnt want to spend $500+ yet, and didnt want to waste money on something not worthwhile). Im looking at getting sway bar bushings and isolators and also looking for a strut tower bar as well. I think its my brake squeaking now, which suck because the pads are like 2 years old (hawk, shouldnt they last longer then that?). Im gonna machine the rotor and see if the pads are any good then.

 

earleys94gt

Active Member

Aug 31, 2003

1,223

16

49

Ashley, Ohio

Dec 12, 2007

#18

• Dec 12, 2007

• #18

Sounds like you got one heck of a deal man.

I feel you on the sway bar bushings, mine are SHOT.

 

BlueOvalStangGT

Active Member

Oct 27, 2003

2,849

0

46

Tampa Florida....USF!!!

Dec 17, 2007

#19

• Dec 17, 2007

• #19

Where are you guys buying your end link bushings, sway bar bushings(would this be the same as the endlink bushings?), and isolators? What else can I get?

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Dec 18, 2007

#20

• Dec 18, 2007

• #20

BlueOvalStangGT said:

Where are you guys buying your end link bushings, sway bar bushings(would this be the same as the endlink bushings?), and isolators? What else can I get?

Click to expand...

You should be able to have your local Autozone order the stuff for you. I just got mine from Summit when making an order for other stuff.

End link bushings and sway bar bushings are different. The latter ones are towards the middle of the car and the former ones go on those 'bars' at the end of each arm (connecting the FLCA and sway bar). You need a set of both.

Consider new rack bushings as well. Also, I've used poly boots in the past and I liked them. They hold up nicely compared to the rubber ones that come with new BJ's and tie rods. CC plates or top strut bushings are a good idea too.

Good luck.