| question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0 [message #776792] |
Sun, 16 July 2006 06:44 |
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I bought myself a great looking 89 convert and am really impressed with
it - this is my first 5.0 and I can see these cars being on the way to
becominga a future classic
Anyway like any used car there are a few things that need some
attention
One issue I am trying to figure out is a problem with the front
suspension - basically the car has a very stiff ride - it bangs and
crashes over bumps - now before you say that I should expect this with
a 5.0 mustang ( particularly a convertible) another bit of information
is that when I tried to give the car the typical strut bounce test in
the front the car hardly moves when I push down on it from top - and I
mean pretty well not at all - there is no way I can get the car to move
down even an inch - is it possble that struts can seize up and lose
their compression travel? If I drive the car down a road with a series
of bumps or tar strips it feels like the whole car is bouncing and
nothing is absorbing the road shock - I looked at the springs and
visually they look fine plus the car sits nice and level - the car has
85,000 miles on it
I am thinking the struts are the first place to start but in reading
some of the information in discussions groups on worn struts the most
common sign that is mentioned the most is that the car keeps bouncing -
I can't even get mine to budge - note that I am not having any problem
with the back suspension that I can detect
Anyway I got the car a month ago and am still feeling a bit of the
purchase price dent in my wallet so I want to spend my repair money
wisely
Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice - I have researched other
subjects in this group and have read a lot of good information on many
topics
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| Re: question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0 [message #776803 ] |
Sun, 16 July 2006 16:05 |
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"donsjunkk [at] hotmail.com" <donsjunkk [at] hotmail.com> wrote in
news:1153025078.643980.230770 [at] m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:
> I bought myself a great looking 89 convert and am really impressed
with
> it - this is my first 5.0 and I can see these cars being on the way to
> becominga a future classic
>
> Anyway like any used car there are a few things that need some
> attention
>
> One issue I am trying to figure out is a problem with the front
> suspension - basically the car has a very stiff ride - it bangs and
> crashes over bumps - now before you say that I should expect this
with
> a 5.0 mustang ( particularly a convertible) another bit of information
> is that when I tried to give the car the typical strut bounce test in
> the front the car hardly moves when I push down on it from top - and I
> mean pretty well not at all - there is no way I can get the car to
move
> down even an inch - is it possble that struts can seize up and lose
> their compression travel? If I drive the car down a road with a
series
> of bumps or tar strips it feels like the whole car is bouncing and
> nothing is absorbing the road shock - I looked at the springs and
> visually they look fine plus the car sits nice and level - the car has
> 85,000 miles on it
>
> I am thinking the struts are the first place to start but in reading
> some of the information in discussions groups on worn struts the most
> common sign that is mentioned the most is that the car keeps bouncing
-
> I can't even get mine to budge - note that I am not having any problem
> with the back suspension that I can detect
>
> Anyway I got the car a month ago and am still feeling a bit of the
> purchase price dent in my wallet so I want to spend my repair money
> wisely
>
> Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice - I have researched other
> subjects in this group and have read a lot of good information on many
> topics
Visually inspect the struts and see if they're original or aftermarket,
and if there is any fluid (possibly dried out) on them. If original or
there are traces of fluid, you'll want to install new struts. Even
aftermarkets will need to be changed after so many years, so you'll want
to find out how old they are. From the sound of it, you probably need
struts. In shopping for struts, remember that you basically get what
you pay for.
In a car that old, you'll probably want to replace the rears as well
unless they're fairly new and in good shape. Something else to look at
would be the control arms that connect to the rear axle. Chances are
good that they're original and the bushings are shot.
Finally, consider getting welded-in subframe connectors (_not_ bolt-
ins). Convertibles are notoriously flexible flyers, so anything that
strengthens the unibody is a good thing. Subframe connectors will
eliminate the feeling that the rear is sort of following the front - the
car will feel like a solid piece instead of a two-piece engine/caboose
thing.
Joe
Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies
Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC
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| Re: question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0 [message #776804 ] |
Sun, 16 July 2006 16:09 |
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donsjunkk [at] hotmail.com wrote:
> I bought myself a great looking 89 convert and am really impressed with
> it - this is my first 5.0 and I can see these cars being on the way to
> becominga a future classic
>
> Anyway like any used car there are a few things that need some
> attention
>
> One issue I am trying to figure out is a problem with the front
> suspension - basically the car has a very stiff ride - it bangs and
> crashes over bumps - now before you say that I should expect this with
> a 5.0 mustang ( particularly a convertible) another bit of information
> is that when I tried to give the car the typical strut bounce test in
> the front the car hardly moves when I push down on it from top - and I
> mean pretty well not at all - there is no way I can get the car to move
> down even an inch - is it possble that struts can seize up and lose
> their compression travel? If I drive the car down a road with a series
> of bumps or tar strips it feels like the whole car is bouncing and
> nothing is absorbing the road shock - I looked at the springs and
> visually they look fine plus the car sits nice and level - the car has
> 85,000 miles on it
>
> I am thinking the struts are the first place to start but in reading
> some of the information in discussions groups on worn struts the most
> common sign that is mentioned the most is that the car keeps bouncing -
> I can't even get mine to budge - note that I am not having any problem
> with the back suspension that I can detect
>
> Anyway I got the car a month ago and am still feeling a bit of the
> purchase price dent in my wallet so I want to spend my repair money
> wisely
>
> Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice - I have researched other
> subjects in this group and have read a lot of good information on many
> topics
>
Is the car modified at all? Springs, struts, are they stock? If not, any
print on them? What color are they? Some high end performance struts are
pretty stiff.
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| Re: question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0 [message #776816 ] |
Sun, 16 July 2006 18:28 |
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<donsjunkk [at] hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153025078.643980.230770 [at] m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com...
>I bought myself a great looking 89 convert and am really impressed with
> it - this is my first 5.0 and I can see these cars being on the way to
> becominga a future classic
Congratulations on your astute purchase. Now get ready to spend money, just
keeping it in good condition.
> Anyway like any used car there are a few things that need some
> attention
>
> One issue I am trying to figure out is a problem with the front
> suspension - basically the car has a very stiff ride - it bangs and
> crashes over bumps - now before you say that I should expect this with
> a 5.0 mustang ( particularly a convertible) another bit of information
> is that when I tried to give the car the typical strut bounce test in
> the front the car hardly moves when I push down on it from top - and I
> mean pretty well not at all - there is no way I can get the car to move
> down even an inch - is it possble that struts can seize up and lose
> their compression travel? If I drive the car down a road with a series
> of bumps or tar strips it feels like the whole car is bouncing and
> nothing is absorbing the road shock - I looked at the springs and
> visually they look fine plus the car sits nice and level - the car has
> 85,000 miles on it
Your description exactly mirrors my own, when I had my '93 stiffened up.
Subframe connectors (check underneath the car to see if they were
installed), new performance struts, shocks, and springs all around, and
there was zero bounce, just like yours. It's quite possible that the
previous owner had the car tightened up in this manner.
By comparison, I'm sure that my '93 GT convertible is stock. The ride is
floaty and tight turns are a bit dramatic. That suspension characteristic is
exactly why I had the other stiffened up. But I don't mind so much in the
convertible, since that's my "toolin' around" car.
Hopefully, you'll find that the front struts are adjustible. If not, and you
really think the ride is too tight, you might want to spring for some Konis
up front, so you can tailor the ride the way you like it.
dwight
www.tfrog93.com
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