I need opinions for those who have done this.
In the past I have always replaced the rubber bushings with poly. On this car I want to stay rubber.
1) Are the replacement bushing press in??
2) Who has just replaced the arms with sn95 versions making sure to put a fox balljoint in
Thanks all
A couple of months ago,I just installed a set of SN95 Stang control arms that already had great bushings.I got them from a fellow member here.I took them to Autozone,and at the end of the counter,we got out the ball joint pres and installed them.Took less than 10 minutes while we were talking and getting distracted.They are the same as ours,just install the T-Bird/Cougar ball joints.
Why replace our arms with SN95 arms? Is it for five lug swap or something else? I just replaced my bushing with poly. It made it handle better then my 2600lbs stang.
Reread the OP's post.
Using the SN-95 stuff just allows for using lower-mileage used units instead of replacing bushings. Of course poly is an option, just not in this case.
It depends on the price of the SN-95 arms compared to the bushings, or what you want to hassle with.
Thats what I thought I read. Yeah I can get the sn95 arms relatively cheap.
Im just wondering how hard the bushings are to install rubber that is
I went with the 2003 Cobra arms. They were still cheap when I bought them. I ended up milling down the spindles to accept the SN95 ball joints. I like the arms - the rear bushings are 50% stiffer than the stock rubber, but they are not stiff like poly and the ride is good.
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e360/Domeskull/DSCF1120.jpg)
I actually read your post on milling down the spindles!. I may go 5 lug down the road but for now the brakes and rotors are brand new so Im keeping them till they go
I used the SN95 a-frames because they were in excellent shape,the bushings were great,and they were WAY cheaper than buying the bushings,much less having them removed and pressed in.It also saved me a lot of time,some money,and either way,the original a-frames had to come off anyway.
I also have the 2003 Cobra arms and also noticed how much better they ride. I like 'em:D
yah teh wya I look at it is that I need to remove aarms to do bushings and might as well do ball joints while Im at it....
.....and the tie rods if they are original,and the strut mounts.
Thats what I did. I replaced the bushings, tie rods, and ball joints. It made it handle like a new car.
actually everything feels good under there tie rod wise..What sway bar bushings though...They are non existent!..Car drives real good..We will see just how far I go with it. I have a set of old FMS tbird lowering springs...Hmmmmm
answers to all your thoughts , questions and assumptions.
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=16294&highlight=ca+bushing
SO I picked up a set of 95 cobra arms with mint bushings abd low miles...Picking up some balljoints, sway bar bushings, endlinks and tie rods....Figured I might as well do it all..Also going to throw some lowering springs in there>>>>>>
Next will be the rear and a diff rebuild..And so teh price of teh 500 car goes up!
Check the strut mounts,and remember to have an alignment done.
definitely
In my front suspension I've replaced:
control arms with 2003 Cobra arms from FMS
Struts with Monroe Sensa-Tracs
strut mounts with Monroe strut mounts
TC front bar with poly bushings
new rack (Sport) and tie rod ends
still have the original 21 year old LX springs which are in great shape.
The rear has a TC sway bar and I have 225/55/16 Firestone Firehawk GT tires mounted on TC Snowflake wheels all around. The car rides great. It's nice and smooth over bumps but corners great when you push it. Hell even just replacing everything in the front end (which most of these cars badly need after 21+ years) will make the car ride and handle 100% better.
I'm doing it this weekend. For now Im just doing tire rods, balljoints, control arms, end links and the lowering springs along with the spring isolators. I probably need sway bar bushings but I will need to measure and get those as well
Now Im not doing struts/shocks because I am unsure what I will be doing with the brakes..Upgrade to 11" etc..Ill do struts and strut mounts then
Ill then look into the rear bushings and a diff rebuild...Tracloc isnt 100%
So finally I did the front control arms...I forgot what a PIA is is!
Apparently my spring compressor for some strange reason no longer is able to be taken apart in my spring once installed..Either that or someone did a swaparoo on me! So I did the prybar /jack method..Smmootthhhh
Well my front end noises are now gone. WHat I have is D springs, low mile cobra control arm swith new ball joints.
I didint get to do the sway bar bushings or tie rods but the tie rods looked ok. The sway bar bushing well....What was left of them was um err.....Surprisingly the end links looked new.
SO the next chance I get will involve the rear springs and control arms. I am noticing allot less bounce in the front even with my ORIGINAL 133,000 struts...The car came with new rotors and pads so when they go I plan on upgrading to fox 11" setup and changing the struts and shocks
Anyway not much more to update...I will take some photos soon
Been doing some cosmetic work here and there