Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: mechanized on March 30, 2010, 01:05:05 PM

Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on March 30, 2010, 01:05:05 PM
Well, after collecting all the parts, We finally rebuilt the entire front suspension on the cat. After all the work was complete this thing handled like it was on rails, unbelievable difference!! :burnout:

First off for those who do not know, this car has had a '89 Mustang 5.0 with mass air conversion with Cobra intake, 1.6 Roller Rockers, headers, X-pipe, flowmasters, pulleys, 255 pump, CAI, K&N, etc. Mustang GT front brake swap, TC hood.

Here's the pics of the goodies, Energy suspension A-arm and sway bar bushings, new ball joints, tie rod ends, New rack (15:1) with Prothane rack bushings, Poly sway end links, Maximum Motorsports CC plates, and 3/4 of a coil cut on the springs. We have '88 TC 3:73 rearend and CHE control arms next.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on March 30, 2010, 01:05:58 PM
More
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on March 30, 2010, 01:06:49 PM
:d
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: Beau on March 30, 2010, 02:24:11 PM
What brand of endlinks are those?

I can't wait to get my ES bushings in!

I've got the a-arm bushings, sway bar, and the endlinks as well.
Also got CHE's for the rear, and a 3.55 gear TC 8.8

Sounds like we have a similar build, except mine isn't gonna get lowered yet.
:D
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on March 30, 2010, 03:49:04 PM
Quote from: ThunderbirdSport302;316510
What brand of endlinks are those?
:D


The sway bar endlinks are from Moog.

Yeah, man post some pics of your install when it comes time.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: xjeffs on March 30, 2010, 10:22:24 PM
I was just looking into the same set of parts.  I've got the K member dropped and realized I should be replacing all this.  Isn't the sway bar end link from a Mustang shorter than ours?  It shows 6" for the mustang and I measured ours at 10".  Did you get a good price on the Moog ball joints?  $50 each is the best I could find.  Where did you order the parts?
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on March 31, 2010, 05:08:35 AM
Quote from: xjeffs;316566
Isn't the sway bar end link from a Mustang shorter than ours?  It shows 6" for the mustang and I measured ours at 10".  Did you get a good price on the Moog ball joints?  $50 each is the best I could find.  Where did you order the parts?

The end links may be different, I'm a hardcore Mustang fanatic (my Mustang is in the back in the pics) you'd think I'd know that, but I'm not sure. Got the ball joints from O'Reillys and I paid $48 each I think, somewhere around there.

These are on Ebay and for $27 each, maybe something to look into.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mevotech-BALL-JOINT-mercury-COUGAR-81-80-88-87-86-85-84_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem35a7fd5c81QQitemZ230451666049QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: Beau on April 01, 2010, 12:31:04 PM
I don't know what the Tbird end links measure out at, but I can get the length from my ES parts...

Hopefully I can get mine started ASAP...I'm itching to drive the car this summer, and time's-a-wastin!
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: 88CougarGT on April 01, 2010, 03:16:31 PM
lets see how it sits after the cut springs!
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on April 01, 2010, 03:41:32 PM
It sits good. It dropped the car right at about an inch. Nothing to drastic or slammed, but took out out some wheel gap. I'll post some more pics soon.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: 88CougarGT on April 21, 2010, 03:30:58 PM
>poke<  still wana see those pics.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mcb82gt on April 22, 2010, 09:50:32 AM
Pics dammit.............were in KS are you?
Title: ?
Post by: maddog27 on April 23, 2010, 07:09:41 PM
Quote from: mcb82gt;319252
Pics dammit.............were in KS are you?

yea were in ks?
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: 88turbo on April 25, 2010, 09:30:03 AM
us Kansas boys need to meet up :evilgrin:
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mcb82gt on April 25, 2010, 01:37:37 PM
Quote from: 88turbo;319640
us Kansas boys need to meet up :evilgrin:


What he said.:burnout:
Title: us
Post by: maddog27 on April 25, 2010, 01:43:14 PM
yes we do.............:burnout:
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: 88turbo on April 25, 2010, 03:45:27 PM
where do we want to do this???  :D:D
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: xjeffs on May 13, 2010, 07:39:30 AM
Since I brought this up in a couple different forums, I'm going to respond in those forums too as a warning to others.

I spent a couple weeks trying to get the Advance auto parts el cheapo ball joints in and all they did was get pen 15 eyed and create a ridge inside the LCA.  Finally took them back and ordered Moog.  I had them installed in 30 seconds each. 

Warning:  If you are doing front ball joints AVOID the cheapo brands and buy Moog.  Best extra $50 I ever spent.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mcb82gt on May 13, 2010, 08:05:06 AM
Quote from: 88turbo;319685
where do we want to do this???  :D:D


Were having a foureyedpride meeting up here in KC June 5th.  Im sure more cats and birds would be welcome.??

Just throwing it out there. LOL
Title: ?
Post by: maddog27 on May 15, 2010, 12:18:40 PM
were at in kc? ks or mo ?
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mcb82gt on May 15, 2010, 01:03:08 PM
Quote from: maddog27;321930
were at in kc? ks or mo ?


It is in kansas, Mike has a large chunk of land off I70.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: mechanized on June 09, 2010, 09:31:19 AM
Quote from: mcb82gt;319252
Pics dammit.............were in KS are you?



Yes, I need to get the pics up soon. Near Wichita.
Title: '87 XR-7 front end rebuild
Post by: CBASS on June 09, 2010, 01:34:54 PM
Like to see your car if you get a chance.  Looks like a good setup.