FTBR IRS upgrade install

[Mac99Snake]

UPS dropped off a nice box from FTBR. Going to be a good clean fun couple of days

After reading the directions a couple times and watching the video, the IRS is out. The left inner halfshaft boot let loose, so the IRS well was sprayed with grease. You can see my temp zip-tie clamp.

Tomorrow its simple green, a good cleaning and then subframe mount removal time.

This is fun

Mac

 

[SupaPimp]

What parts did you order?

 

[Mac99Snake]

The complete IRS Bushing set - FT5000

 

[SnakeForce]

Nice,post some pics of the process.

 

[1Kona_Venom]

op: subbed

Show me how its done:thumbsup:

 

[Mac99Snake]

Started wrenching - 15, 18, 22, 24, 36mm socket and crow's foot, plus a long extension / breaker bar.


UCA and sway bar removed - nothing tricky, just wrenches and muscle.

Degreased and scrubbed with Simple Green

Halfshafts almost removed

All apart - Bruce's video really helped. If you are doing this, loosen the half-shaft nut before you remove the IRS.

Slowly taking it apart

Removed lower control arms (LCA)

This is fun...I think.

Mac

 

[P49Y-CY]

This is fun...I think.

:lol: :thumbsup:

 

[Mac99Snake]

Uh oh...could be a problem

One LCA cleaned....

Both cleaned up

When I pulled the driver's side halfshaft out, the one with the zip tie repair, it looked like it was broken. The knuckle was hanging way out of line. A light pull separated the two pieces..."oh @#%" came to mind. I dropped a quick note to Bruce (FTBR) and he said he hadn't rebuilt one. I called my tuner, he didn't know, but sent me to a local driveshaft guy. Luckily, the two pieces are only held together with the halfshaft boot. So all I have to do is clean the mating surfaces, refill with grease, and reband the boot.

"Missed it by that much."

Pictures of the offending halfshaft. After looking at the right halfshaft, it appears this boot has been replaced at some time.

All cleaned up

Replacement bands and grease

This is somewhat fun

Mac

 

[Mac99Snake]

Got some more work done this afternoon.

Halfshafts cleaned up and back together, though when I lifted the left one, it hissed...has a hole in the inner boot. Anyone know what boot will work? I'll post in Terminator Talk too.

LCA bushings out.

All apart and mostly clean.

Long day. This is still fun...

Mac

 

[SVT_Troy]

Man looking at this is making me want to do mine! It's the measurement of the driveline angle for he front bushings and bump steer that makes me not want to do it! I dot want to be basing a driveline vibe forever and I ends up something that I did wrong

I'm watching your thread closely, thanks for posting

 

[Flad]

^^^ this is what scares me also^^^

 

[10thSVT_03]

Any plans to paint or powder coat anything?

 

[03cobraracer]

subn and watching this one as well, i cant wait to do this mod to my car, wish i had it here with me right now i could make this a little winter project of mine.

 

[Blkkbgt]

Man looking at this is making me want to do mine! It's the measurement of the driveline angle for he front bushings and bump steer that makes me not want to do it! I dot want to be basing a driveline vibe forever and I ends up something that I did wrong

I'm watching your thread closely, thanks for posting

Setting up the angle is not hard by any means. Especially with the new style diff supports. Bruce makes it pretty easy for you because the instructions tell you what stack-up to start with and is usually all you need. Beyond that just make sure you mark your drive shaft and everything should be fine.

As far as the bump steer kit goes, you don't need it to run this kit. The only major thing I noticed with my car once I installed the bump steer kit was that over severly bumpy roads that car was smoother.

 

[reldla1996]

I'm doing the full FTBR kit as well; started today, got the IRS out, the IRS apart, and the bushings out of all 4 control arms. About time to quit for the day, and restart tomorrow. So far, so good, everything has come out easy, easier than expected. Plan to cut the rear springs while it is all apart, to level the rear with the front (coil overs).

 

[Mac99Snake]

Mid day update: Cleaned up the subframe, removed the welded washers from the LCA mounts and then ground down the interior mount surfaces.

Man looking at this is making me want to do mine! It's the measurement of the driveline angle for he front bushings and bump steer that makes me not want to do it! I dot want to be basing a driveline vibe forever and I ends up something that I did wrong

Here is what Bruce says from the FTBR website: Baseline for a Cobra IRS without purchasing the FR 1401 Delrin isolated rear diff lowering mount, is raising the front of the diff as high as you can get it without it hitting the subframe. This will not be perfect, but it will be an improved driveline angle compared to the way the car came from the factory. In order to perfectly off-set the driveline angle, you need to purchase the FT 1401 Delrin isolated rear diff lowering mount or the complete bushing kit FT 5001 which includes the FT 1401 lowering mount.

Any plans to paint or powder coat anything?

I didn't plan on painting/powdercoating, but may refresh the black UCA paint.

NOTE: A couple years ago I did my 99 IRS with the "other" company's material and bought the removal tools, but they don't work very well with the UCA's and subframe bushings. Luckily I am in no hurry and am now waiting for a set of FTBR tools to finish removal. Also, I ended up buying a new halfshaft from Tousley, as I had no luck finding a replacement boot. I know, I should have searched first before I asked.

This is fun

Mac99Snake

 

[P49Y-CY]

Here is what Bruce says from the FTBR website: Baseline for a Cobra IRS without purchasing the FR 1401 Delrin isolated rear diff lowering mount, is raising the front of the diff as high as you can get it without it hitting the subframe. This will not be perfect, but it will be an improved driveline angle compared to the way the car came from the factory. In order to perfectly off-set the driveline angle, you need to purchase the FT 1401 Delrin isolated rear diff lowering mount or the complete bushing kit FT 5001 which includes the FT 1401 lowering mount.

+1, i did the kit years ago on my orange car and never had any driveline vibe troubles with just using the stock rear mount w/delrin. i just got the front up as high as possible and it was all good

 

[tomsgarage]

Just finished installing the FTBR FT-500, Deluxe Bumpsteer, Ford Racing IRS Diff Cover, Steeda X2 Ball Joints, and had the shocks, struts revalved and rebuilt by Bilstein for the Steeda Sport Springs. After having the front and rear aligned and the bumpsteer set my car has never handled so well! Hoping to go to Carolina Motorsports Park in the next few weeks to shake her down.

I throughly enjoyed doing the work myself with the great instructions, tool set, and videos provided by FTBR!!! Enjoy your project and keep us posted.

 

[Jimmysidecarr]

+1, i did the kit years ago on my orange car and never had any driveline vibe troubles with just using the stock rear mount w/delrin. i just got the front up as high as possible and it was all good

Ditto.:beer:

 

[04Mach1Blurr]

I would love a painted IRS, or powder coated