Finally getting suspension goodies installed

[DennisP]

Thanks, I'm going to ask them today and see what for...

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[DennisP]

Well, here we are another week later and still don't have my car back... :(
As of a few days ago, the shop told me that the J&M Vertical Links needed some kind of spacer that wasn't included to properly install them. Not sure what that's about, but apparently they contacted J&M late last week and were getting spacers shipped to complete the install. I was told the car would be ready either today or tomorrow, so anxiously another email with good news today!
I'm missin' my baby!!

 

[Stripler]

I had all the same suspension parts installed by [MENTION=7311]Grimace427[/MENTION] here in NoVA. I gave him a set of cups for the press that I got from Fulltilt Boogie for the toe knuckle bearing and front RLCA bearing. I had bought that $50 part with the intention of doing it myself, but then decided against it. The shop said it was a pain to get those RLCA bearings pressed out, but they eventually got it. They did pretty much my whole suspension minus the alignment in a day. I let mine settle about a week before getting it aligned.

You will love your car after this. I've put about 5,000 miles on my car since the install and the added NVH is really minimal. I don't even notice any now (maybe slightly more road noise). But the handling will be a night and day difference.

 

[DennisP]

Thanks, it looks like the car is ready for pickup tomorrow, so I'm gonna go get her.
Here is the alignment sheet- how does this look??
camber looks pretty aggressive and I'm a little concerned by the rear toe- is this a concern?

 

[BmacIL]

Thanks, it looks like the car is ready for pickup tomorrow, so I'm gonna go get her.
Here is the alignment sheet- how does this look??
camber looks pretty aggressive and I'm a little concerned by the rear toe- is this a concern?

Toe looks great, no need for concern, although your initial rear setting would be better. Front looks perfect for a street car.

I would like the rear camber to be a little less, closer to -1.3 to -1.5.

 

[DennisP]

So-having the front and rear camber in the same range is preferred? I noticed that Ford's Track alignment specs have a bigger negative camber out back compared to the front spec. How does the bigger negative camber # in the rear affect how the car handles compared to having the front and rear camber in the same range (-1.5ish)?

 

[BmacIL]

So-having the front and rear camber in the same range is preferred? I noticed that Ford's Track alignment specs have a bigger negative camber out back compared to the front spec. How does the bigger negative camber # in the rear affect how the car handles compared to having the front and rear camber in the same range (-1.5ish)?

More negative rear = a bit of safety factor. If you are tracking the car, you'll actually want the front to be in the -2 to -2.5 deg range, as high as -3 or so for more dedicated track cars.

-1.3 to -1.5 in the rear makes for a good balance of straight line grip and cornering grip for the street. The -2 setting would be good if your front was correspondingly higher as mentioned above (track settings). Remember, when you accelerate, the weight transfer to the rear will actually make both sides go more negative, reducing your contact patch as there's no roll.

 

[DennisP]

Thanks for your input- really appreciate it. I guess I'll find out after I pick it up. I'm expecting a night and day difference compared to before...hopefully for the better!

 

[DennisP]

The shop set my sway bars at:
front: full stiff
rear: full soft

That is their recommended setting for a street setup. Sounds right to me, more grip in the rear and less likely to oversteer.

 

[BmacIL]

The shop set my sway bars at:
front: full stiff
rear: full soft

That is their recommended setting for a street setup. Sounds right to me, more grip in the rear and less likely to oversteer.

I would concur as a starting point for that reason as well as the fact that the rear is a proportionally stiffer bar, in terms of over stock.

 

[saf1]

How would you rate their work? If I knew they could knock it out in a day, maybe two, I might be entertained to drop my car off when I have a box of parts similar and then spend the time wine tasting

Then again I think most everything I'm collecting can be done by myself although I'm not sure about the springs.

 

[BmacIL]

How would you rate their work? If I knew they could knock it out in a day, maybe two, I might be entertained to drop my car off when I have a box of parts similar and then spend the time wine tasting

Then again I think most everything I'm collecting can be done by myself although I'm not sure about the springs.

I haven't done it yet. I'm looking at buying a set of control arm takeoffs on eBay and then taking the BMR RLCA bearings I have and installing in those, then swapping arms once that is done.

 

[DennisP]

The work seems very solid, but they are a track support shop and always seem swamped with race car prep, so the work will take longer than 2 days.

On my drive home almost immediately after leaving the shop, I noticed a whistling sound coming from the rear. It comes and goes and was really annoying at low speeds (in traffic)...it was also there at freeway speeds on and off for a few miles. I stopped for gas after about 20 miles and then it disappeared 95% of the rest of the way home. It came back briefly when I exited the freeway but was extremely faint.

Uhh...what's that about?! should I be concerned?

How would you rate their work? If I knew they could knock it out in a day, maybe two, I might be entertained to drop my car off when I have a box of parts similar and then spend the time wine tasting

Then again I think most everything I'm collecting can be done by myself although I'm not sure about the springs.

 

[DennisP]

My best shot at before/after stance. Should I expect things to settle some more or nah?

 

[Bluemustang]

Remember, when you accelerate, the weight transfer to the rear will actually make both sides go more negative, reducing your contact patch as there's no roll.

It's interesting you mention that and thank you for providing that information. I wonder if that explains what I feel sometimes with my car during corners. The car feels like the rear tires are grabbing more when I accelerate hard in a corner. It's almost like I can feel the additional camber trying to pull me around the corner - whereas if I were to take the same corner same speed as before, but completely off the throttle - very different feeling. In the second scenario I would not feel as confident at holding a line.

It's almost like the more you push it the more it carves - up to a point obviously. Now maybe none of that is what I'm feeling and none of this makes any sense :shrug:

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