Front end, what do I need

SmelchoMG

SmelchoMG
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So I have been talking to a buddy of mine off of here (who is ver knowlegable) and I just want to get everyones input on what i need or maybe someone knows a special site for better prices.

I need new tie rod ends and ball joints for the front of my 03. So for my winter build I'm going to go with suspension. I want to do the HR springs and was told to go with the Maximum Motor Sports control arms. They have the ball joints and bushings. I plan to do a bumpsteer kit also. While the car is in the air I plan on switching out the rear springs. What do you all think I SHOULD replace while I'm doing the front control arms, ball joints and bushing in the front and the springs in the rear? The car has 81K on it and has recently became a garage queen. It was my DD for a while. I'm still new to the whole Cobra scene.

Any Info would be GREATLY appriciated. Also if you have new parts for suspension, let me know! :banana:
 
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0-MYSTACHROME-4

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Which Maximum Motorsport A-Arms, the tubular ones? Those will require you going with a coil over spring in the front as for those A-Arms don't have a spring perch.
 

SmelchoMG

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Which Maximum Motorsport A-Arms, the tubular ones? Those will require you going with a coil over spring in the front as for those A-Arms don't have a spring perch.

:shrug: Thank you for the information, I did not know that. I haven't looked too deeply into which ones yet bc I'm still trying to figure out everything I need. I was told to call them so I can talk and tell them what I want and everything. :beer:
 

SmelchoMG

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SVT_Troy

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The standard MM control arms not tubular. MM's OEM style control arms are supposed to be an updated design and i only recommend them because you mention replacing ball joints and bushings so why not upgrade them.

Once you start lowering your car it tends to mess with the suspensions geometry. For what you said you want to do with your car, I would just do maintenance. Bringing everything back to life on top of lowering it with HR race springs and the right iso combo until you reach your desired look.

Get a set of MM caster/camber plates then go from there. Alot of people get bumpsteer kits without needing them. To fix your suspension after lowering it you MIGHT (notice i said might not will!) end up needing short swaybar endlinks (about $25), MM bumpsteer ($150) and steeda X2 balljoints (i hear mixed reviews about them and not to sure.)

Once your done lowering it is when you'll get your bumsteer check, check the angle of the swaybar and suspension to determine if you need, shorter swaybar endlinks, X2 balljoints and a bumsteer kit.

Theres so much to learn about suspension it's crazy and i am by no far a professional. I've been reading alot and learning. Mostly on corner carvers, a good race car never makes a good street car and vise versus. I'm trying to build my car to be a decent all around car.

Dont know how I forgot but a good pair of Full length subframe connectors is a must.... If you had this stuff first youll be itching to add power to test the new found traction!
 
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Blkkbgt

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So I have been talking to a buddy of mine off of here (who is ver knowlegable) and I just want to get everyones input on what i need or maybe someone knows a special site for better prices.

I need new tie rod ends and ball joints for the front of my 03. So for my winter build I'm going to go with suspension. I want to do the HR springs and was told to go with the Maximum Motor Sports control arms. They have the ball joints and bushings. I plan to do a bumpsteer kit also. While the car is in the air I plan on switching out the rear springs. What do you all think I SHOULD replace while I'm doing the front control arms, ball joints and bushing in the front and the springs in the rear? The car has 81K on it and has recently became a garage queen. It was my DD for a while. I'm still new to the whole Cobra scene.

Any Info would be GREATLY appriciated. Also if you have new parts for suspension, let me know! :banana:

My first question is how do you KNOW you need ball joints and tie rods?

I am asking because I see a lot people replacing suspension stuff that is still good and throwing money away. The stock for ball joints are very good and tend to last a very long time. The tie rods generally dont wear out often on these cars either. I think you money could be better spent else where.

If you are simply looking to lower the car and improve the handling a little I would go with springs, shocks/struts, CC plates, sub frame connectors and lastly MM aluminum rack bushings.

Unless you actaully intend to bump steer the car you do NOT need a bump steer kit. I see a lot of people install them and never actually take the time to bump steer the car they just connect the tie rod to the spindle using whatever shim stack up they want. I have ridden in a GT that had horrible bump steer and a bump steer kit installed. The owner complained that it wasn't working and needed to change it out! He just slapped in on and expected it to work.

If the bushings on your control arms are shot STAY AWAY from poly bushings. They are garbage and will eventually squeak no matter what they tell you. I went down this road and ended up with Global West Del-A-Lum bushings. They are more expensive but honestly they are amazing and grease-able.

Lastly regarding steeda x2 ball joints. If you take a little time and call the guys at MM they will explain to you exactly why you don't need them. Some have actually stated they don't like the way their car handles after installing them.

Hope this helps.
 
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SmelchoMG

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My first question is how do you KNOW you need ball joints and tie rods?

I am asking because I see a lot people replacing suspension stuff that is still good and throwing money away. The stock for ball joints are very good and tend to last a very long time. The tie rods generally dont wear out often on these cars either. I think you money could be better spent else where.

If you are simply looking to lower the car and improve the handling a little I would go with springs, shocks/struts, CC plates, sub frame connectors and lastly MM aluminum rack bushings.

Unless you actaully intend to bump steer the car you do NOT need a bump steer kit. I see a lot of people install them and never actually take the time to bump steer the car they just connect the tie rod to the spindle using whatever shim stack up they want. I have ridden in a GT that had horrible bump steer and a bump steer kit installed. The owner complained that it wasn't working and needed to change it out! He just slapped in on and expected it to work.

If the bushings on your control arms are shot STAY AWAY from poly bushings. They are garbage and will eventually squeak no matter what they tell you. I went down this road and ended up with Global West Del-A-Lum bushings. They are more expensive but honestly they are amazing and grease-able.

Lastly regarding steeda x2 ball joints. If you take a little time and call the guys at MM they will explain to you exactly why you don't need them. Some have actually stated they don't like the way their car handles after installing them.

Hope this helps.

Most of the rubber boots are gone under the front of the car. The car pulls a lot when I'm going down the road. When I back up an turn the wheel it pops. It also feels a little loose up front. I had the alignment done by a family friend and he said I needed them also. I've looked at them and they look pretty rough. I def need bushings bc about once a month I am re libricating everything underneath and all my bushings are dry rotted pretty bad.
Thank you for your input. It all helps me out. Any more that you have would be great. Let me know if you think it's something different.
 

Blkkbgt

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Most of the rubber boots are gone under the front of the car. The car pulls a lot when I'm going down the road. When I back up an turn the wheel it pops. It also feels a little loose up front. I had the alignment done by a family friend and he said I needed them also. I've looked at them and they look pretty rough. I def need bushings bc about once a month I am re libricating everything underneath and all my bushings are dry rotted pretty bad.
Thank you for your input. It all helps me out. Any more that you have would be great. Let me know if you think it's something different.

If your friend knows cars then I would trust him.

When it comes to control arms you have 2 options:
1. rebuild your stock pieces, cheaper option. Again stay way from poly.
2. buy new ones form Tousley or MM. MM sells new Ford arms.

If the car is feeling loose then I would deffinetly get the MM solid rack bushings. They really improve the steering feel and they are only $40. Odds are yours are shot.

Again don't bother with a bump steer kit.
 

SmelchoMG

SmelchoMG
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If your friend knows cars then I would trust him.

When it comes to control arms you have 2 options:
1. rebuild your stock pieces, cheaper option. Again stay way from poly.
2. buy new ones form Tousley or MM. MM sells new Ford arms.

If the car is feeling loose then I would deffinetly get the MM solid rack bushings. They really improve the steering feel and they are only $40. Odds are yours are shot.

Again don't bother with a bump steer kit.

Yeah my buddy off here said not to worry about the bump kit. He mentioned it earlier. I think I'm going to get the MM control arms. With the bushings and ball joints.
 

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