uh oh... first glitch on Ol' Red
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 564
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From: Buffalo
uh oh... first glitch on Ol' Red
Besides a minor coolant leak from a temp sensor on the manifold everything seemed to be pretty decent on Ol' Red. Yesterday I observed that the passenger's side had become noticibly lower than the drivers side and when I made a right turn the tire was rubbing on the front fender. Upon further inspection I found that the lower control arm was level to the ground on the drivers side but not on the passengers side. I loosened the shock nuts (on the upper coil mounts) since they were a little tough to originally install (they seemed to be too short but then again we didn't have any weight on the suspension at the time) I was able to loosen them without any problem this morning. I believe the passengers side spring is either insufficient for the front end weight or it's just faulty. Here's a pic. Kind of tough to take a good photo while lying on my fat belly in the garage but you can see that the lower control arm is pitched up towards the tire on the passengers side. This is a Helix IFS kit and it was a major disappointment compared to the Heidts kit we installed on Lucille.
Wally
** I just added a photo taken before I finished putting the front end together. I can see clearly that the passenger's side tie rod end and the shaft on the rack are straight where in the new photo (taken a few days ago) they are in an upward position*** I believe that the spring has lost it's strength.
Wally
** I just added a photo taken before I finished putting the front end together. I can see clearly that the passenger's side tie rod end and the shaft on the rack are straight where in the new photo (taken a few days ago) they are in an upward position*** I believe that the spring has lost it's strength.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
Hmmm...i could live with the lower control arm like that but the tie rod angle is a bit steep for me. Not sure what the solution is other than higher rate springs. I'm assuming by what you said one side of the front is sitting lower than the other? How much?
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Elder User
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From: Buffalo
Wally
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 751
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From: Cuba, AL (NO internet)
Hey Wayne, I'd say there's about 3/4"-1" difference between the two sides. Either way it's too low up front. I'm going to swing by a friends shop, he's spent thirty years setting up race cars so his opinion should help. I'm hoping that I can just switch out the spring and shocks but maybe the spindles are the problem too. I don't think the kit was welded into place incorrectly but we'll have to take a closer look over there. I'll keep you posted.
Wally
Wally
Either way the truck is a beauty!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Buffalo
Have a good one.
Wally
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Prescott AZ.
I can see where height is only part of the problem. Even if you raise everything up your still going to have a large amount of bumpsteer. You might want to consider some offset bushings for the rack so that you can get it in a more neutral position.
Steeda 1985-04 Mustang Aluminum Steering Rack Bushings - Made in USA 555-4013 - Free Shipping!
Steeda 1985-04 Mustang Aluminum Steering Rack Bushings - Made in USA 555-4013 - Free Shipping!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,174
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From: Burbank, WA
I'm guessing you have defective springs, and that one is collapsing. Change them both would be my recommendation. The spindle would have no effect on the angle of the control arm. It's not uncommon for coil springs to settle some after a short while, but this is way too much. If they were fine before and now they're not, they're either wrong for the application or junk to begin with. Either way, they've got to go, imho.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Clitherall, MN.
Maybe you could get a tape measure and see what the distance is between each coil of the spring and then measure the good side to see if it is the spring going bad. Might help in the diagnosis.
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
Unfortunately Helix = Hoffman Group = Chinese clone manufactured by the lowest bidder using the cheapest material/parts. I'd bet the spring rates/temper are completely different. Check the installed length with weight on them, test the spring rates or replace them with high quality ones they aren't that expensive.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Buffalo
Unfortunately Helix = Hoffman Group = Chinese clone manufactured by the lowest bidder using the cheapest material/parts. I'd bet the spring rates/temper are completely different. Check the installed length with weight on them, test the spring rates or replace them with high quality ones they aren't that expensive.
Thanks,
Wally
Senior User
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 235
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another solution to the extreme tie rod angle would be a bump steer kit..
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sd.../model/mustang
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sd.../model/mustang
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,580
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From: in a barn
Hopefully just a bad spring. Helix = Hoffman Group = horror stories all around on lack of quality. At least you got it installed, some guys had Helix IFS parts welded out of shape and couldnt even use them. If a better brand front spring fits I would replace the pair.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
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From: Durham NC
Hopefully stock mustang replacement springs will fit. Big problem with Hoffman Group stuff is they don't build them to any standard specs, but to what parts are available at the time. i.e. if the contract manufacturer can get a batch of out of size spec bearings cheap, they will manufacture everything to fit them, and no standard size bearing can be used as a replacement. The is no quality control checking done, the units come in a shipping container all boxed up and they never open them, just ship them to anyone willing to buy them, typically garage based parts sellers/drop shippers.
I'd expect the clone shocks make Monroes look like high precision racing shocks in comparison. Spend the money to buy some decent quality shocks once you put in known rate springs. (I suggest going to Eaton Springs for replacement springs, they sometimes drop in here.)
I'd expect the clone shocks make Monroes look like high precision racing shocks in comparison. Spend the money to buy some decent quality shocks once you put in known rate springs. (I suggest going to Eaton Springs for replacement springs, they sometimes drop in here.)
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,997
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
How many miles are on the truck since the initial install?
Kinda weird to have a spring just suddenly drop like that. Could it be that the spring wasn't situated in the pocket correctly? Maybe it finally "seated" itself into the pocket in the control arms. It'd be worth looking at the other side to see if it is seated correctly.
Good luck. It sucks when you have to start doing regular repairs on your build. I recently had to replace a leaking power steering pump. Not near as much fun as fabricating new parts...LOL
Bobby
Kinda weird to have a spring just suddenly drop like that. Could it be that the spring wasn't situated in the pocket correctly? Maybe it finally "seated" itself into the pocket in the control arms. It'd be worth looking at the other side to see if it is seated correctly.
Good luck. It sucks when you have to start doing regular repairs on your build. I recently had to replace a leaking power steering pump. Not near as much fun as fabricating new parts...LOL
Bobby