Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Step 1: Suspension. (Read 14662 times) previous topic - next topic

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #30 –
Quote from: Ifixyawata;143075
Ok, I'm about ready to say forget it and get all new control arms.  The one side is missing a LOT of material around the hole below where the coil spring rests, not to mention I haven't been able to get the old bushing sleeves out for anything.

Any ideas on finding some new control arms, complete with bushings & ball joints?

tubulars ;)
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #31 –
Which car is this for? I have some control arms off of my 87TC. They have new ball joints. If your interested shoot cougarman a PM.

As for new, you can try this place. http://buyfordracing.com/
That's usually were I get my control arms from.
2005 Subaru WRX STi|daily driver

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #32 –
I've edited my original post... but now I'm overwhelmed with options.  Tubulars would mean I have to use coilovers, correct?  If I did that I would definitely need a STB, which I'm not at all oppsed to.  I'd rather do this right than have a part of my suspension collapse.  I always thought tubular CA's meant a tubular k-member, which is what Mikey Fila and I talked about tonight, but I guess maybe I was confused. 

PS - This is for my '85.  TC control arms may be different?  I've got some Mustang spindles and 11" rotors ready to go on the front... once I have something to bolt them to.

For the rear, I'm soon getting CHE tubular rears and I have a '88 XR7 rear with 4.10 gears and 10" drums (yipeee)  ready to bolt in.

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #33 –
Quote from: Ifixyawata;143081
I've edited my original post... but now I'm overwhelmed with options.  Tubulars would mean I have to use coilovers, correct? 


not neccesarily. there are a few manufactures that accept factory coil springs.
1979 Ford Fairmont
[/B]
5.0L/4R70W/8.8"/5-lug/3" Exhuast

 

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #34 –
Let me know what your doin man, I'll hep ya when you get all yuor parts together. Even try to help ya find some parts if I can

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #35 –
Can anyone point me in the direction of these tubular front CA's?  About the only ones I've found are these:  http://www.cheperformance.com/cartgenie/prodInfo.asp?pid=12&cid=1



I've yet to come across any that use a stock coil.

I'm also wondering what year of Mustang parts I'd need to use on my '85.  I have Mustang 11" rotors and spindles to go on it as well.

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #36 –
Quote
Coolcats....
Brake Rotors/front 10" (Stock, 4-lug) - Thunderbird (exc. Turbo Coupe), Fairmont/Granada/Zephyr, LTD/Marquis, 4-cylinder Mustang

11" (4-lug) - 1987-88 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, 1987-93 Mustang 5.0

11" (5-lug) - Lincoln Mark VII, 1994-up Mustang GT
Brake Calipers/front 10" rotors - Fairmont/Zephyr, LTD/Marquis, 4-cylinder Mustang

11" rotors - Mustang 5.0, Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
Front Spindles 10" rotors - Thunderbird, 4-cylinder Mustang

11" rotors - Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Mustang 5.0
Brake Drums/rear 9" drums (finned edges) - Mustang (all), Thunderbird (except 1987-88 Turbo Coupe)

10" drums (smooth edges) - Thunderbird/Cougar with 8.8" rear, or 7.5" rear with heavy duty suspension/towing package

Brake Rotors/rear disc Thunderbird Turbo Coupe (10" vented, 4-lug)

Upper Control Arms/rear Thunderbird & Turbo Coupe

Lower Control Arms/rear All Fox cars with spring suspensions
(excluding Mark VII/Continental). Minor length differences between 1983-86 and 1987-88 cars; usually does not affect performance or fit.

Rear Springs Thunderbird (except Turbo Coupe); check code on door tag for exact matches.

Rear Sway Bar Thunderbird & Turbo Coupe, Mustang 5.0

Front Sway Bar Thunderbird, 4-cylinder Mustang (smaller diameter); Turbo Coupe, Mustang 5.0 (larger diameter).

Front A-Arms 1983-86: Thunderbird, Fox Mustang & SVO
1987-88: 1994-98 Mustang, RWD Lincoln Continental, Thunderbird (all)
 
Front Springs Thunderbird; **motor-specific (V6 springs for V6, etc.); check code on door tag for exact matches. Possibly 1994-up Mustang springs.

Shocks & Struts Thunderbird (except Turbo Coupe); **83-86 are slightly different from 87-88 due to valving; no noticable difference in performance. Turbo Coupe struts are factory adjustable units and only work on 11" brake spindles. Mustang struts are shorter but generally fit and work acceptibly.

Steering Rack

20:1 Ratio: 1983-86 Thunderbird/Cougar, 1979-93 4-cylinder Mustang

15:1 Ratio: 1984-88 Turbo Coupe/XR-7, 1987-88 Thunderbird/Cougar, 1987-93 Mustang 5.0, 1984-92 Mark VII
***look for the "15:1" ink stamp on the housing

Thats about all I found that could help ya out B;)

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #37 –
Brian, the FRPP control arms (M-3075-A) are stock replacements with new bushings and improved ball joints already installed. For what you're doing, with Fox 11" spindles, these would be perfect. They are ~$300 US now (used to be half the price) but if you add up the cost of urethane bushings, the ball joints, and used control arms separately, these turn out to be a pretty good deal regardless. I have these on the convertible, but I had to remove the ball joints for Steeda X2's with the SN95 spindles.

FRPP also has another control arm kit (M-3075-D) for SN95 cars, which would also work on 1987-88 Cougars/T-Birds, but if you tried to use them on the '85 they'd kick out the wheels and you'd probably have a hell of a time trying to get the car aligned.

Basically, use a stock replacement setup and you'll be very happy. Upgrading to urethane will harshen up the ride a bit, plus you're already having problems with that installation.

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #38 –
Cool!  Those M-3075-A pieces are available for $249 on BuyFordRacing.com.  Looks like that's what I'll be going with, then.  Once I get these I'll have to scare me up some springs & struts and I oughtta be well on my way.

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #39 –
Use your stock springs:hick:  They'll work just fine. Besides the peice that was rusted into the control arm

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #40 –
Yo bubba,I went mostly stock.I'm happy.
Except the springs.I did what you want to.15-1 steering  and the 11 brakes .You don't need to overkill the front.After a good alighnment . I'm more than hooked up.I pm'd the spring # to you a while ago.I don't get to drive it much but it's good for now.
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #41 –
Well, I just ordered the new front CA's from BuyFordRacing.com  Not bad really at about $270 shipped.  Considering bushings and balljoints  alone are about $150.  Anyone wanna buy some brand new poly bushings?

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #42 –
Well, scratch that... My order from the above mentioned site has been 'cancelled' that's all it says.  No reason for it to be cancelled, but oh well.  Guess I'm dealing with the old control arms for now.

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #43 –
Just get a set from summit
Click
They have them for $300

Step 1: Suspension.

Reply #44 –
They're $50 more at Summit.  Fvck that.  I might as well make these old ones work.