The rear is (mostly) done! Like the front, the rear sway bar mounts proved the biggest time suck. The recommendation is to undo the upper mounts from the body so you can easily drop the rear axle. I spent far too long trying to remove ONE bolt -- I think it is corroded to the inner sleeve. After re-assessing the situation I removed the lower mounts, and was able to drop the axle in no time.
I didn't do the lower control arm relocation kit -- I might save that. And I also wasn't able to remove ONE bolt for the adjustable panhard bar. Air, and a torch, may be required. I thought I had assessed all possible outcomes before trying it all at home. I also forgot to measure the ride height before and after -- but it looks like it is a bit greater than an inch lower all around.
I've only done a few miles on it since putting it back together. It rides beautifully, and the weight is far better managed. We have a track day in three weeks, so I'm finally working towards a goal. Maximum Motorsports provided terrific and prompt tech help for one minor issue I ran into. Everything they've provided has been top-notch.
I am mostly finished with the suspension install, but I did discover a new "clunk" from the front end. I convinced myself I hadn't torqued the strut properly, and was stymied by the fact that the strut mount/camber plate meant I couldn't get a wrench on it to torque it. A ratchet just spun the entire shaft. I resigned myself to taking it out, and trying again. I did it and it seemed "better". But a test drive still had the car clunking over bumps. I retraced every fastener. No movement.
Finally had my partner bounce the car while I was on the ground looking around. D'oh -- I didn't torque the sway bar end links when the car was on the ground -- in the air everything was tight. Easy fix . . .
Working on cars is fun! The car drives mint now, though. The KONI/Eibach combo is perfect. First track event is June 22 . . .
I was just about to guess it was the end links!
Speaking of, if you find the car understeers, you might see if there is a kit to mount the sway bar to something like the control arm rather than the strut. I believe that the end links mounted to the strut can potentially bind and cause problems. Just a thought.
The car looks great!
CyberEric said:
I was just about to guess it was the end links!
Speaking of, if you find the car understeers, you might see if there is a kit to mount the sway bar to something like the control arm rather than the strut. I believe that the end links mounted to the strut can potentially bind and cause problems. Just a thought.
The car looks great!
Thanks! It feels pretty neutral right now, but I suspect we will learn a lot after the first few laps. It does look so much better at a lower ride height. I don't feel like it desperately needs some sort of lip now.
Update: we've been to two track events! The car is fantastic, BUT we are still trouble shooting brakes. The rebuilt calipers on the rear have both suffered blown internal seals -- we lost one at the first track day we did, and the other this past event at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant. We also cracked a rotor (I should have known that the unknown "drilled and slotted" rotors would be garbage).
But, the car is a blast! It's fast enough to be fun, and it handles really well . . . Heather loves it!
Gratuitious action shot from Tremblant, just after Turn 14 . . .
I replaced three (!) cracked rotors on Saturday, in preparation for an evening lapping session at Calabogie with Brembos. One thing I love about the Mustang is that parts are easy to source, and often in stock at local places . . .
The car ran flawlessly, and we seem to have finally exorcised all the braking issues. The 2 hour session was "open", so one could, if one wanted to, run on track the entire time. Heather did a session of 40 minutes, with no issues at all.
I'm also pleased with the durability of the Indy 500s . . . they work well in the set up we are using.
Gratuitous shot of the Mustang in action -- Heather is chasing me in my M2.
I like this car, and what you've done to it. Thanks for mention of the Indy500 tire performance. I've got a set on my daily and like them on the street.
In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :
I like it WAY more than I thought I would, too. It's fast enough, and it seems to be reasonably gentle on tires and brakes. It runs 87, and gets ridiculous mileage on the way to events. Best of all, Heather loves it and she is surprising a lot of people. She loves it when they discover "her" and that her car is a "V6".
Our local track has a "test and tune" on Friday, with an open drag strip. We're going to go drag racing that night.
At a drag race. No spectators were harmed:
