When I put my 86TC on the rack to rebuild the rear suspension I was pretty surprised at how good things looked with 21 years and 140,000 miles on the clock.
I could have easily gotten away with just replacing the shocks and spring isolaters. Since I had bought everything, I went ahead and replaced the entire rear suspension except for the upper front control arm bushings. I left those because they looked pretty good and I didnt really want to drop the exhaust to get at the left side.
So now the front suspension. I want to go in there once and not go back again.
Do I replace only what needs to be replaced, or do I just do it all anyway for piece of mind? I have no idea what has been replaced and what hasnt in the past 21 years.
Can I see the control arm bushings well enough to determine if I need to replace them without pulling them? Im replacing the springs, so should I just pull the control arms anyway?
The rack isnt leaking and the steering fells pretty good, how tough is it to replace the rack bushings, or should I not bother?
Im pleased with the results of the rear rebuild, so if I need to tear the front all the way down I will. I just want to do it right the first time.
I'm in the same vote you are.Your if you do and don't.
I guess money one way to look at it.But so is time which I don't have or probably you.What I'm sayin you got to make your own pace.
Is it a daily driver?
My long term plan is for the TC to be my main transportation. Once I get it where I want it to be Im going to sell my 05 Mustang. That will be tough because its a 10psi Procharged V6 that I absolutly love to drive, but I want an early Ranchero and a pool in the backyard so the payment on the 05 has to go away.
So yes it will be my DD.
Well since it's a DD, you obviously want to keep ride quality.
My suggestion since you have an 86 is to get the Motorsport Fox Mustang front control arms. They match what you have in the car. The benefits are new bushings (the originals are 20 years old) and new balljoints.
I would examine the tie rods while you are there. They should have a little stiffness to them. If they are overly free, they are close to needing replacement.
I would suggest replacing the steering rack bushings, and I would suggest using poly instead of rubber. You're not going to pick up much, if any harshness, and the steering feel will improve.
My only complaint with those arms is that they have nearly doubled in price, while the SN-95 versions have stayed the same... (shutting up until order is placed...)
Well the newest car that used the Fox arms is now 14 years old. This is Ford we're talking about..."Planned Obsolesence"
True enough - if it didn't say "Mustang" on it it would have been obsolete years ago...