Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Suspension/Steering => Topic started by: 88xr7cougar on April 21, 2013, 12:09:22 AM

Title: coil springs
Post by: 88xr7cougar on April 21, 2013, 12:09:22 AM
just bought new 2003 mach 1 oem coil spring does anyone have suggestions i,m doing a 95 kmember install also full five lug swap strut etc.
Title: coil springs
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on April 21, 2013, 12:15:34 AM
I do: be careful swapping those springs.
Title: coil springs
Post by: TOM Renzo on April 21, 2013, 06:19:09 AM
Springs can HURT YOU VERY BAD!!!!
Title: coil springs
Post by: Beau on April 21, 2013, 12:49:30 PM
Mach 1 springs should stab right in there without need for a compressor.

But if you do have to use the spring squeezer, as stated, be ed careful. A lot of energy there if they fly out.
Title: coil springs
Post by: Aerocoupe on April 21, 2013, 02:22:35 PM
Use an internal spring compressor, its not rocket science.  Pay attention and make sure you have some help.

Darren
Title: coil springs
Post by: 88xr7cougar on April 21, 2013, 10:59:42 PM
Thanks guys but not what i was looking for i work on cars everyday . Was wanting suggestions on setup for ride height and  alignment  setup .
Title: coil springs
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on April 22, 2013, 12:06:19 AM
Nothing you can do about ride height with what you've described, but I would guess that there will be a need for a bump-steer kit, and for caster/camber plates.
Title: coil springs
Post by: Chuck W on April 22, 2013, 08:48:45 AM
You'll need to add some spacers (5/8" is what the difference has seemed to be) between the K-member and the frame on the upper mounts. Just measure the difference between the upper and lower K-member mounts on each and compare. Also, I would double-check the control arm mount widths between those two as well. Digging through some of the info seen in THIS THREAD (http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?27386-Stock-K-Member-Dimension-Info-Thread) they should be the same (dimensions B & C), but there was one person who had something different. If you can, add your findings to that thread as well, just for more verification.  The control arms themselves are the same length, so your track should only mildly be affected (by the 94-95 spindles).

You may or may not need CC plates, and you may or may not need some bumpsteer correction. Kind of something you'll need to discern when you have the car on the ground and loaded. Not sure what your plans are for strut mounts, but you can't use the SN-95 Mustang ones.

Ride height will have to be checked and adjusted once the car is on the ground.  Unfortunately, modding these cars is a bit of a trial and error situation, especially in the suspension department.
Title: coil springs
Post by: TOM Renzo on April 22, 2013, 11:59:28 AM
Quote from: Aerocoupe;413671
Use an internal spring compressor, its not rocket science.  Pay attention and make sure you have some help.

Darren


BUT I HAVE SEEN SPRINGS ROCKET PAST A FEW FOLKS FROM TIME TO TIME. just a friendly warning. Be careful that's all

By the way if you are going to play around with SPACERS. Install the springs and dont tighten the ball joint nut all the way. Check the car loaded and move it a bit and if the height is not to your liking you wont have to beat the hell out of the knuckle to release the joint. Once the height is to your LIKING THEN WRENCH THE JOINT TIGHT AND INSTALL A COTTER PIN.

Do not take the car for a ride that way. IT IS ONLY TO CHECK THE HEIGHT
Title: coil springs
Post by: 88xr7cougar on April 24, 2013, 02:51:45 PM
Thanks guys will update findings on kmember. And keep posted on progress