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front swaybar/lowering springs

Hi All,

While the springs in my '89 are original (and nicely sagged ~1") something popped up by surprise lately.

After installing '95 front spindles so I could install the PBRs from my '00 GT I noticed at the next oil change that the swaybar had been hitting the drain plug for the front sump. Luckily I'd only driven 'bout 400 miles and the only damage was some wear to the drain plug. (I ran one SOLO2 event and it was the most tail happy it'd ever been!)

Seems that the extra 1.5" in front track was just enough stress to sag the springs just a tad more. The stock length for the free area on my '89's endlinks was 4.5", I installed a 4" endlink and all is well.

I cringe to think how much stress was placed on the oil pan when hitting a large dip in the toll road around here as the center of the swaybar swings rearward and up when the springs compress!

Anyway just something else to check. :)

bradtx

Reply to
bradtx
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I have '94-'95 spindles on my '89 and never had any problem like the one you described. I have plenty of clearance between the roll bar and drain plug. Maybe something isn't quite right on the installation? Maybe the roll bar bushings are shot and it has too much play.

Reply to
Michael Johnson, PE

Michael, The poly swaybar bushings are brand new and the frt. engine mounts are only five years old.

A friend of mine with a Mustang shop told me that sometimes when a Fox is lowered the swaybar moves far enough to the rear that it's required to lift the front a bit to remove the front drain plug during an oil change. The vast majority have no issues/problems what-so-ever.

(My SVT parts guy also informed me that there is possibly four different diameter frt. swaybars used on '89s.)

While my situation is the only one I'm aware of, the gist of the post was to make folks who are thinking about, or have recently lowered their cars to be made aware.

bradtx

Reply to
bradtx

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