Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Mustang / January 2005

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

66 Front end riding high

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
Evan - 28 Jan 2005 06:53 GMT
It handled okay until I replaced a passenger side lower ball joint.
After that it seemed to handle fine, until two days later, I took it in
for a an alignment, and now handles far worse. The front end now rises
and sticks there and I can not get it to come down.

The alignment shop only adjusted the toe in, and the only place
replaced on the front suspension was the passenger side lower ball
joint. The drivers side I did nothing too expect tighting the sway bar
a little, it seemed kinda loose.

Anyone have ideas on why its doing this and how to fix it? It is very
unsafe to drive and its my daily driver. :-(
Evan
66 w/91 5.0, t-5 and 9" diff
.boB - 28 Jan 2005 23:21 GMT
> It handled okay until I replaced a passenger side lower ball joint.
> After that it seemed to handle fine, until two days later, I took it in
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
> Evan
> 66 w/91 5.0, t-5 and 9" diff

  Either the A-arm is binding up on it's shaft, or you
installed the springs wrong.

Signature

.boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project

Evan - 29 Jan 2005 06:58 GMT
I did not remove the spring to install the lower ball joint. What is
the stock ride height of a 66?
CobraJet - 29 Jan 2005 17:51 GMT
> I did not remove the spring to install the lower ball joint. What is
> the stock ride height of a 66?

  I vaguely remember a similar situation in this group years ago. I
think someone had gotten semi-airborne over some big dip or bump and
the front end locked up.

  I don't remember the outcome, but if you suspect it's the alignment
shop's fault go back and talk to the guy who actually worked on it.

Signature

CobraJet
Thunder Snake #1

.boB - 29 Jan 2005 18:24 GMT
> I did not remove the spring to install the lower ball joint. What is
> the stock ride height of a 66?

    Mine sits at 25.5" from the ground to the front
wheel lip, as measured at the center of the front wheel.

Signature

.boB
1997 HD FXDWG - Turbocharged!
2001 Dodge Dakota QC 5.9/4x4/3.92
1966 Mustang Coupe - Daily Driver
1966 FFR Cobra - Ongoing project

Evan - 29 Jan 2005 20:45 GMT
I measured mine and right now it is at 25 7/8". The problem occurred in
the summer also, where the front would lift up and slamming on the
brakes brought it back down. Then it just went away. And now its
back... I think my front end might have been sitting lower than what it
should have and now for some reason is back to sitting at stock height.
Would a worn lower ball joint effect the height of the front end?

Also when I bought the car, the front tires were completely bald on the
very outside of the tire (side you see when looking at the side of the
car.) so I had them replaced. The new tires wore on the outside at
first and then wore heavily on the inside. Those tires were completely
bald after 3000-4000 miles.

Thanks for the help I am going back to the shop (Big O Tires) to see if
they will take a second look at it, and maybe re-align it since I think
the suspension is going to stay at this height.

-Evan
Spike - 29 Jan 2005 21:42 GMT
If the car had been altered, many shops have a tendency not to notice
anything except what is in the manual, and what they set it to is what
the book says it is supposed to be. In some states, it's a liability
thing. If they set it for other than oem, they assume liability if
there is an accident. Just as an example, in California, I can't
easily get a shop to change tire size from what is on the car when I
roll in. That's state law. I can, however, if a shop won't do it, do
it myself, and then take it in to a shop for alignment.

>I measured mine and right now it is at 25 7/8". The problem occurred in
>the summer also, where the front would lift up and slamming on the
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>
>-Evan

Hey! Spikey Likes IT!
1965 Ford Mustang fastback 2+2 A Code 289 C4 Trac-Lok
Vintage Burgundy w/Black Standard Interior
Vintage 40 Wheels 16X8"
w/BF Goodrich Comp T/A Radial 225/50ZR16
Brent P - 29 Jan 2005 22:15 GMT
> I measured mine and right now it is at 25 7/8". The problem occurred in
> the summer also, where the front would lift up and slamming on the
> brakes brought it back down. Then it just went away. And now its
> back... I think my front end might have been sitting lower than what it
> should have and now for some reason is back to sitting at stock height.
> Would a worn lower ball joint effect the height of the front end?

It almost seems as if the arms are binding. Have the bushings for the
control arms been checked? Do they squeak?

> Also when I bought the car, the front tires were completely bald on the
> very outside of the tire (side you see when looking at the side of the
> car.) so I had them replaced. The new tires wore on the outside at
> first and then wore heavily on the inside. Those tires were completely
> bald after 3000-4000 miles.

That sounds like a ball joint issue, so you've taken care of that.
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.