What did you do to your Mach 1 today

[SheepDog]

It’s an oft repeated myth that Mach 1’s come with the Ford Performance toe link bearings, but they do not. I installed the toe link bearing upgrade to the rear knuckles and upgraded the rear wheel studs to ARP studs (1/2” longer than stock). I was able to remove the toe bushings easily with the ball joint press on the car but could not get the toe bearings to press in or keep them straight on the car. At that point I decided to just pull the knuckles since I would be most of the way there in order to remove the hubs to install the studs. The bearings and knuckle bore were a ~0.013” interference fit, but the press made it infinitely easier. Towards the end of pressing them in it took quite a bit of load from the press. I doubt the red loctite Ford calls for is necessary. I also have zero doubt that on my car there is no way a ball joint press could get these suckers installed completely. It seems this varies for a lot of installers. Just waiting on AAD vertical links to arrive so I can reassemble.

Fun fact: axle nut on passenger side fought me all the way coming off until the last couple threads. The brake caliper to knuckle bolts did the same on the passenger side. Drivers side: the axle nut and calipers were no issue.

Is your car a Handle Pack car, or no? I find it strange that the MACH1 wouldn't have these, as my 2017 PP1 GT did

Sponsored

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Is your car a Handle Pack car, or no? I find it strange that the MACH1 wouldn't have these, as my 2017 PP1 GT did

PP1’s didn’t have the toe bearing in the knuckle either. This is on the knuckle side, not the chassis side. I have them on the chassis side. My friends HP car has bushings in the knuckle as well.

 

[SheepDog]

PP1’s didn’t have the toe bearing in the knuckle either. This is on the knuckle side, not the chassis side. I have them on the chassis side. My friends HP car has bushings in the knuckle as well.

I see, so you're saying that the toe link itself has the bearing in it, but the knuckle has a rubber bushing? Also that (looking at your photos) Where the knuckle connects to the lower control arm, appears to already have the bearing in it?

 

[RobZ71LM7]

I see, so you're saying that the toe link itself has the bearing in it, but the knuckle has a rubber bushing? Also that (looking at your photos) Where the knuckle connects to the lower control arm, appears to already have the bearing in it?

Correct, the knuckle to control arm joint (at the cars rear) is already a bearing/ball joint. The front of the knuckle where the toe link bolts is a bushing. This upgrades the bushing to the same type of joint between the control arm and knuckle. In my pics the new bearings are the ones with red loctite still around them before I wiped them clean. I thought the cars would have this bearing already but they do not. It’s crazy to have all the other upgrades a lot of us do like toe links, subframe lockouts aka stop the hop kit and leave this big soft compliance bushing that controls toe in place.

 

[SheepDog]

Correct, the knuckle to control arm joint (at the cars rear) is already a bearing/ball joint. The front of the knuckle where the toe link bolts is a bushing. This upgrades the bushing to the same type of joint between the control arm and knuckle. In my pics the new bearings are the ones with red loctite still around them before I wiped them clean. I thought the cars would have this bearing already big they do not. It’s crazy to have all the other upgrades a lot of us do like toe links, subframe lockouts aka stop the hop kit and leave this big soft compliance bushing that controls toe in place.

Thanks. I haven't messed with the suspension yet. (other than removing the hubs to press in ARP studs)

I may tackle the Control arm bushings as well while Im doing this, and install the Steeda Bearings. Looks they come with an install tool, but unsure if the diameter of the control arm bushings, is the same as the toe link bushing/bearing.

Steeda 555 4117 Mustang Rear Lower Control Arm Spherical Bearings (15-23)

 

[RobZ71LM7]

Thanks. I haven't messed with the suspension yet. (other than removing the hubs to press in ARP studs)

I may tackle the Control arm bushings as well while Im doing this, and install the Steeda Bearings. Looks they come with an install tool, but unsure if the diameter of the control arm bushings, is the same as the toe link bushing/bearing.

Steeda 555 4117 Mustang Rear Lower Control Arm Spherical Bearings (15-23)

I’m seriously tempted to remove the lower control arm and swap the bushings out in it, but for now I’ll leave it alone until next season. I’ll probably go with Cortex parts if I do that though and wait until I change the springs next. The control arm bushings are supposedly a lot more difficult to press out than the knuckle. The control arm is supped to make a big difference as well.

 

[SheepDog]

I’m seriously tempted to remove the lower control arm and swap the bushings out in it, but for now I’ll leave it alone until next season. I’ll probably go with Cortex parts if I do that though and wait until I change the springs next. The control arm bushings are supposedly a lot more difficult to press out than the knuckle. The control arm is supped to make a big difference as well.

They do offer a pre-installed kit. Also includes the front

 

[skinnyb]

Finished my visual mods. I am extremely happy with it. Very subtle, but unique and makes it stand out in the crowd. I have multiple Mach 1's in my local Mustang group and 3 of them are FJG so I am trying to be a bit different

 

[ChitownStang]

Finished my visual mods. I am extremely happy with it. Very subtle, but unique and makes it stand out in the crowd. I have multiple Mach 1's in my local Mustang group and 3 of them are FJG so I am trying to be a bit different

Looks awesome, nice work!

 

[Gregdd]

There was a mach 1 parked at my dentist in York PA today that had what looks like the same spoiler. Only the second mach 1 i have seen out and about in PA.

 

[skinnyb]

There was a mach 1 parked at my dentist in York PA today that had what looks like the same spoiler. Only the second mach 1 i have seen out and about in PA.

Looks good. Paint matching is something I am glad I did.

 

[The Demon]

Finished my visual mods. I am extremely happy with it. Very subtle, but unique and makes it stand out in the crowd. I have multiple Mach 1's in my local Mustang group and 3 of them are FJG so I am trying to be a bit different

I get where you’re going with that and I think it looks good. I thought about the same thing with painting the one I got in EG bit I like the contrast of the black against the green though.

 

[Aonarch]

Ordered BMR goodies to get rid of the rear shimmy I feel.

What else would you all recommend to stiffen up the chassis/ drivetrain? My Mach 1 is an autocrosser and track day toy.

I don't want to introduce too much NVH.

 

[Coastal-Mach]

Finished my visual mods. I am extremely happy with it. Very subtle, but unique and makes it stand out in the crowd. I have multiple Mach 1's in my local Mustang group and 3 of them are FJG so I am trying to be a bit different

I think it looks great! The side stripe removal and the colored wing flows nicely.

 

[BlkMach10510]

Finished my visual mods. I am extremely happy with it. Very subtle, but unique and makes it stand out in the crowd. I have multiple Mach 1's in my local Mustang group and 3 of them are FJG so I am trying to be a bit different

Looks like you took inspiration from the earlier Mach 1's but modified a little instead of the entire wing, just the Gurney Flap. Nice.

Sponsored