Ford Performance VS BMR

[Edgemere]

Greetings,

I totally upgraded my suspension with the Ford Performance Track Pack. However, I installed the BMR Adjustable Rear Toe Links, Chromoly X-Series Spherical Bearing & Heim Joints in lieu of reusing the Ford toe links, and installing the new Knuckle bearing that came with the Ford kit. I love the suspension, however I get the occasional clunking noise when going over rougher roads and feel that it is the BMR toe links. I am contemplating re-installing the Ford toe links with the new bearing and removing the BMR toe links. Looking for opinions on Ford VS BMR toe links. I would like to get rid of the noise, but will I suffer in the performance area with the Ford toe links? Please advise.

Thanks.............

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[Cobra Jet]

Usually any suspension part with the “Spherical Bearing” is going to induce NVH, there’s no way around it. If the car is a daily driver and the road surfaces in your area are not so great, then that is a con of “upgrading” certain suspension components. Rubber, polyurethane, urethane and other synthetics will have more give and flex, plus less noise. Spherical bearings will produce the most annoyances on a daily driver.

The purpose of a spherical for any track use is to provide non-collapsible, non-flexible, and rigid suspension component for when the car is pushing hard into corners or where flex/collapse will adversely impact permanence in a negative manner under extreme load (ie: launching at drag strip, or pushing hard into/coming out of corners on a road course).

You can check the parts you installed and make sure all parts are torqued properly. Most surpassing parts are to be torqued with a loaded suspension, not while hanging off a jack stand or lift. Then check to make sure any grease/lube was applied (IF applicable).

If you’ve covered both bases, above it only leaves the bearings as the source of NVH.

Also to note:
There is also a common misconception with users buying aftermarket components advertised for “XYZ” as being an “upgraded part” and “better than stock”. Just because it’s advertised as such, does not mean its intended use is suitable for both daily driving and track…. Many of these parts are not street friendly for daily drivers and are really more applicable to the rigors of track use as explained above. What may be an upgrade can also be a downgrade for a daily driven vehicle….

 

[GTP]

I installed old but unused BMR toe links and they soon made a terrible rattling type noise. Took a while to track down the cause of the noise. Once removed, the heim joint was very stiff to move.

You can go back to Ford toe links, and then maybe reconsider aftermarket links. I run J&M now with no issues. The main advantage is they are easier and more precise to adjust.

If you become a spherical bearing junkie like me, you can install a pair into the knuckle where the toe link attaches. It's a little tricky, but you can use a ball joint press to exchange them on the car (i.e. without removing the knuckle).

 

[Jxp1962]

Off topic but are you guys happy with the track pack? I am installing it (dealer installing it) on my 22 gt in 2 weeks.
thanks

 

[jpjr501]

I run a full BMR suspension including a tubular K-Member and as mentioned, sphercial bushings, steel bushings, etc. will introduce noise, harshness, etc.

I took all the steel bushings out of my IRS, I couldn't take the noise and it was one of the best things I've done. It's not the parts fault, the bushings have no flex and metal on metal is just not ideal.

If the Ford Performance has the same style bushings, it's going to do the same eventually.

Urethane is really the way to go for everything. Has some give and no noise.

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