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Author
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Topic: Do Stangs bump steer?
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 04-09-2004 08:49 AM
 
I'm wrapping my head around the last MAJOR problem with the Stang, bump steer - or at least that's what I call it. Then I come across this link ...
http://www.heidts.com/heisinfo.htm
It says "If you drive a Mustang or Pinto, you know that they don't bumpsteer."
Given the context, it seems the writer might be referring specifically to Mustang II's.
Before I go tossing big bucks at fixing what I think is bump steer, could someone confirm that first-generation Stangs do indeed suffer from this?
Thanks!
Simon
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dodgestang
Gearhead Posts: 207
From: Cecil County, MD, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-09-2004 10:35 AM
Offfffff course first gen mustangs have bump steer.Some of things I have done to correct it that have worked for me in significantly reducing both bump steer and other steer problems on my 65: Shelby A arm drop
Heim Joint strut rods
Roller spring perches
^these 3 specifically reduced both bump steer and pot-hole lane changes while softening the suspension allowing it to move more freely
New box
New tie rods
Roller Idler arm
^ these three fixed sloppy steering, the play in the wheel is gone, and steering effort on my 16:1 box with 235 45 17 tires is reduced thanks to the roller
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Mooney
Gearhead Posts: 2357
From: Marietta, Ga
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 04-09-2004 11:59 AM
Where would you get roller spring perches from? Mine are squeaking like crazy was going to replace them pretty soon anyway.
Thanks!
Luke
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dodgestang
Gearhead Posts: 207
From: Cecil County, MD, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-09-2004 06:11 PM
Mine were made by user "Opentracker" on the VMF. you can also buy similar ones for more money from Cobra Auto.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 04-09-2004 08:36 PM
Global West's advertising says its upper control arms reduce bumpsteer. I guess that's the expensive way of achieving the Shelby drop. Does anyone know if they really - I mean REALLY - work?
Also, dodgestang, are "Heim Joint" strut rods a brand? Does anyone have comparison info for various rods? I'm know Total Control and Global West both do expensive Stang strut rods. It really is only bump steer I want to fix. Do these give bang for the buck in this area?
And I believe Alex (Money Maker) sells roller spring perches that he describes as being "smooth as butter".
The overriding question for me is whether incremental garage-type, low-budget adjustments actually get the car to a point where it's respectable, and also whether high-end (big buck) fixes are any better.
Good Friday is the traditional day for sports cars to stretch their legs on the freeways here - no traffic. I was cruising three-abreast at about 80 mph with a Ferrari and a Porsche no less (!), but I was in the truck lane - the one with the wavy surface. Several times I just had to back off, right down to 50 mph, to avoid side-swiping the Porsche. To my mind, that means I'm driving a stoneage car, and I don't like it!
Thanks for the tips so far.
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 4511
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 04-09-2004 08:50 PM
Here's a good link on alignment specs over on the Racing forum ...
https://mustangsandmore.com/ubb/Forum12/HTML/006162.html
Hmmm, would so much caster (5 degrees) be good on the street, I wonder.
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dodgestang
Gearhead Posts: 207
From: Cecil County, MD, USA
Registered: Mar 2004
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posted 04-09-2004 09:44 PM
Heim Joint is not a brand name its a type of joint that allows free range of motion in one plain of travel only unlike the bushings in the stock control arms that allow deflection of the arm in any direction.These are the ones I run on my 65 FB and 65 coupe: http://streetortrack.com/adjustable-strut-rods.asp I am VERY pleased with the change in the car and its handling with just the drop, the perch and the rod. For under $400 I have a car that handles very predictably and has very little bump steer.
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trashline
Gearhead Posts: 2230
From: Levittown, Pa
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 04-10-2004 08:30 AM
just wondering and dont laugh... what is bump steer? from what i got from reading . the front end sways when you hit a bump or if on uneven roadway the front end follows and sways around these uneven parts?------------------
1966 mustang coupe
200ci 3 speed tranny
msd 6a ignition, blaster 2 coil, 2 inch exhaust to a glass pac, stock rear,I have the single out header not on yet though,and i have the parts for the cold air intake (homemade).
white w/ black interior
will eventully have (after years of great prosperity) a 67-69 fastbask (aka dream car)
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TT670
Journeyman Posts: 16
From: NY, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 04-10-2004 09:37 AM
Ill try to keep this simple, as the answer can get complex. Bump steer occurs when the steering rods and the suspensions control arms travel in a different arc. When the geometry allows this, what happens is as the suspension compresses, the steering arms get longer or shorter in relation the the position of the spindle, which will slightly toe in or out the wheels causing the car to "steer". Its usally more noticeable on lowered cars these days as lowering will upset the OEM geometry to varying degrees, thats why you'll see companies like steeda offering bump steer kits, for mustangs. The kits basically relocate the tie rod to a position closer to the plane of suspension travel. After lowering my Lightning I had a ton of bump steer, I helped the problem to some degree with different lower control arms. Reasons like bump steer correction are why its worthwhile to spend the extra $$$ on quality brand parts when going for a perfomance suspnsion upgrade, the money you're paying in part was for the engineering required to correct these issues. Ask any vintage mustang owner using Global West or TCP products how much better thier car handles.. Im sure you'll get a smile in return.
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indyphil
Gearhead Posts: 3394
From: Senoia, G.A. USA
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 04-12-2004 02:48 PM
Basically when you lower a car, or go over a severe bump - Or even brake really hard depressing the front of the car - you get toe out. This is because as the spindle/wheel moves up into the wheel-wells relative to the car the steering tie rod has further to reach so it pulls on the steering arm of the spindle and the wheel points "out".The bump steer correction kits lower the point where the tie rod is connected to the spindle therefore when compressed the tie rods are more horizontal. Shelby drops and lowering kits actually make bump-steer worse if you dont get your steering re-aligned because you will be driving around with too much toe out. Thats the case for me right now. this is another case where a little drawing would really help explain things. ------------------
'68 coupe, '66 289 C code
engine, edel 600cfm carb, performer intake, dual exhaust http://www.geocities.com/ottouk_77/68mustang.htm
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68 S-code GT
Gearhead Posts: 3835
From: Sayreville, NJ, US
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 04-13-2004 08:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Mooney:
Where would you get roller spring perches from? Mine are squeaking like crazy was going to replace them pretty soon anyway.
Thanks!
Luke
I saw some in the new Mustangs Unlimited catalog, Mustang Plus should also have them
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