Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

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Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

May 03, 2006, 06:59:00 PM

Well school is out and I'm on my way home. Fixing my '86 TC is first on the list. Here are my plans:

A arm replacements- fox mustang units
Power steering rack- Napa 15:1
tie rod ends- moog (if I can find them)
Struts- open to suggestion here (thinking monroe)
Sway bar endlinks/bushings
Steering rack bushings

What are the best deals out there for the a arms, and rack/sway bar bushings?

Also, would you replace the power steering pump?

What am I forgetting?

Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

Reply #1 – May 03, 2006, 08:03:24 PM

Well for a-arms, the junkyard is prolly the best bet. I'm pretty positive you'll need to change out the P/S pump to match the rack. The Moog tie rod ends can be picked up at Advance Auto Parts (might just be online) or Summit Racing. As for struts, i'd pick up a set of KYB branded pieces. They're kind of a best of both worlds deal with them being good as a stock replacement and an intro level performance upgrade. Lastly for the bushings and such I like the quality of the Prothane pieces. Hope that helps a bit.

Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

Reply #2 – May 03, 2006, 09:18:55 PM

I don't know why you switch the power steering pump unless you think it's worn out. I got the sport rack and used the same pump. I used polyurethane for the endlinks and sway bar and got a little more stiffness than i bargened for. Jason.

You might want to replace the power steering hoses if they are original as they may be deteriorated on the insides, one of those cheap insurance kind of things.

Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

Reply #3 – May 03, 2006, 10:26:10 PM

I was planning on buying new a arms because I'll pay a little more, but they'll come with new bushings and ball joints already installed. I could buy ball joints and bushings, have them taken to a shop for installation, but I think I'm going with new ones.

Thanks for the help so far.

Getting ready to overhaul the front end Q's

Reply #4 – May 04, 2006, 08:14:38 PM

Yes those control arms are a good deal. I have them on darkthunder and they worked great. http://www.buyfordracing.com and summit/jegs generally have the best deals on them.

I have some Monroe Sensatracs on my 88 rust bucket and they seem pretty similar to my Tokico's but I can't say that for sure as I haven't been on the road yet. Just a few "bounce" tests. lol.

As far as everthing else goes, I would get a set of MM solid bushings in non-offset of course, to increase ackerman... Motorsport tie-rod ends, check http://www.rockauto.com, and MM endlinks. As for the pump it's up to you, but I've had two lock up (not fun) so I would highly recommend flushing the fluid at least.

And if you are going to get new struts you may as well get new shocks too.