What did you do to your S550 Mustang today?!

[MAGS1]

Well, I started to swap out my Steeda jacking rails for my new ZL1 Addons rails. Driver side came off and went on easy, 15 minutes and done. The passenger side Steeda rail is still on. It’s rusted on the inside of one of the bolt holes, the bolt is basically stuck. Tried by hand, impact, won’t budge. So, my rusty Steeda rail stays on for now, until I have more time to mess with it. I don’t like to air negative stuff publicly too often, but the way the Steeda rails held up is very disappointing. My Steeda IRS brace bolts are rusting already as well. I understand our winters are harsh with the salt, but to this is not acceptable to me.

ZL1 makes theirs in aluminum so they won’t rust. Maybe some other aftermarket companies should take note and follow suit for those of us in rust prone areas…

Figured out my bolt issue. I used one of the Steeda supplied bolts and that is the one that is stuck. I’ve pretty much rounded off the head so I’m going to have to drill it out at this point. The Ford factory bolts are actually fine. So, anyone that gets the Steeda rails, use the Ford bolts that are in those mounting holes. The Steeda bolts are junk

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[JTM88]

Well, I started to swap out my Steeda jacking rails for my new ZL1 Addons rails. Driver side came off and went on easy, 15 minutes and done. The passenger side Steeda rail is still on. It’s rusted on the inside of one of the bolt holes, the bolt is basically stuck. Tried by hand, impact, won’t budge. So, my rusty Steeda rail stays on for now, until I have more time to mess with it. I don’t like to air negative stuff publicly too often, but the way the Steeda rails held up is very disappointing. My Steeda IRS brace bolts are rusting already as well. I understand our winters are harsh with the salt, but to this is not acceptable to me.

ZL1 makes theirs in aluminum so they won’t rust. Maybe some other aftermarket companies should take note and follow suit for those of us in rust prone areas…

Is there any concern with galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and the steel of the body?

 

[MAGS1]

Is there any concern with galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and the steel of the body?

I’m hoping the coating is good enough that it won’t happen.

 

[Snakebyte]

I’m hoping the coating is good enough that it won’t happen.

Good point. There won't be stones nicking the paint on the upper side where the rails contact the car.
If someone was really OCD about the galvanic action, spraying an additional film of undercoating would be good. Speaking of galvanic action, stainless fasteners would be a great choice for folks in the country's rust belt.

 

[MAGS1]

Good point. There won't be stones nicking the paint on the upper side where the rails contact the car.
If someone was really OCD about the galvanic action, spraying an additional film of undercoating would be good. Speaking of galvanic action, stainless fasteners would be a great choice for folks in the country's rust belt.

I forgot to mention too that the back of the rails are open, so there’s very little contact with the underbody. The ends of the rails where the bolts go are solid back but the rest of the rails are open back. I have some PPF laying around too, I can PPF them to provide an extra barrier between to the metals.

 

[GTP]

Spent two hours pulling off the old clear film.

Stripes replaced. Perfect Enough.

 

[WD Pro]

Good point. There won't be stones nicking the paint on the upper side where the rails contact the car.
If someone was really OCD about the galvanic action, spraying an additional film of undercoating would be good. Speaking of galvanic action, stainless fasteners would be a great choice for folks in the country's rust belt.

I forgot to mention too that the back of the rails are open, so there’s very little contact with the underbody. The ends of the rails where the bolts go are solid back but the rest of the rails are open back. I have some PPF laying around too, I can PPF them to provide an extra barrier between to the metals.

I covered my pads in cavity wax before I bolted them up :

Ref the bolts - I used the standard Ford bolts as the plating is good, and I liked the large heads. I still painted the heads in cavity wax before putting the dust covers on though … lol

WD

 

[ihasnostang]

printed an external mic holder for the track (sock not shown), hopefully it will have less wind noise than putting it in the cupholder

 

[Highoctanecobra]

19x10 front is a 285/35/19 tire and I think it fits well, nice square shoulder.
The rear is 19x11 with a 305/35/19 tire and it looks a bit stretched. Definitely could go little wider next set of tires.

Nice wheels! What size wheels and tires did you go with? I’ve been thinking about wheels for my PP1.

 

[RTR077]

Track day at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval course.

The new Bridgestone Potenzas were a gamechanger. 8 Seconds off my PB

 

[tj@steeda]

Figured out my bolt issue. I used one of the Steeda supplied bolts and that is the one that is stuck. I’ve pretty much rounded off the head so I’m going to have to drill it out at this point. The Ford factory bolts are actually fine. So, anyone that gets the Steeda rails, use the Ford bolts that are in those mounting holes. The Steeda bolts are junk

The Steeda ones are well sourced & have been supplied to over 1000s of Jacking Rails - they do the job. I can't speak for why you had an issue, but this would be a bigger concern if there was an issue ... but you are in the minority who have issues with the Steeda bolt.

Best,

TJ

 

[MAGS1]

The Steeda ones are well sourced & have been supplied to over 1000s of Jacking Rails - they do the job. I can't speak for why you had an issue, but this would be a bigger concern if there was an issue ... but you are in the minority who have issues with the Steeda bolt.

Best,

TJ

If I’m in the minority, so be it. I can only share what I am experiencing. The same thing is happening to the bolts on my IRS braces.

I’m not trying to come across as a total hater either, so apologies if it comes off that way. The braces and rails themselves function very well and I have been very happy with the functionality side of it. The amount of rust (and now the rusted bolt) is what’s disappointing. And yes, I know our winters are harsh on anything steel. Maybe make a stainless offering for the rails for those of us in rusty areas (I’m sure others would buy them as well)?

 

[GTP]

If I’m in the minority, so be it. I can only share what I am experiencing. The same thing is happening to the bolts on my IRS braces.

I’m not trying to come across as a total hater either, so apologies if it comes off that way. The braces and rails themselves function very well and I have been very happy with the functionality side of it. The amount of rust (and now the rusted bolt) is what’s disappointing. And yes, I know our winters are harsh on anything steel. Maybe make a stainless offering for the rails for those of us in rusty areas (I’m sure others would buy them as well)?

When I had jack rails on my car I used the OEM bolts because they are Geomet (like galvanized). Not as shiny as plated steel that aftermarket companies supply, but they are more appropriate for the use. Who can see them under there anyway? I really like all the geomet fasteners Ford uses.

 

[Jccams]

Figured out my bolt issue. I used one of the Steeda supplied bolts and that is the one that is stuck. I’ve pretty much rounded off the head so I’m going to have to drill it out at this point. The Ford factory bolts are actually fine. So, anyone that gets the Steeda rails, use the Ford bolts that are in those mounting holes. The Steeda bolts are junk

Glad I reused the OEM bolts and don’t drive it in the rain or snow.

 

[analogman]

Today I gave my 2015 GT its spring wash, wax, and interior conditioning. I’ve been driving it for over a month since the end of the snowy winter here in New England but was late with the spring cleaning

Whenever I wash or wax the car, and run my hands along it, I fall in love with it all over again. It’s not perfect (but then what car is?), but the combination of styling, performance, sound, value, and just the feel of driving the car is unbeatable.

It reminds me so much of the 1969 Mustang fastback (“Sports Roof”) I had in high school. I loved that car. Fell in love for the first time with that car, with my old and long lost, way too good for me girlfriend at the time. I would take her out on dates in that 1969. To me the S550 looks like a retro 1969/1970 Mustang, which is why I bought it in the first place.

The love of my life girlfriend is long gone, but at least I’m still driving a Mustang .

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