question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0

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donsjunkk 20 years ago

I bought myself a great looking 89 convert and am really impressed with it - this is my first 5.0 and I can see these cars being on the way to becominga a future classic

Anyway like any used car there are a few things that need some attention

One issue I am trying to figure out is a problem with the front suspension - basically the car has a very stiff ride - it bangs and crashes over bumps - now before you say that I should expect this with a 5.0 mustang ( particularly a convertible) another bit of information is that when I tried to give the car the typical strut bounce test in the front the car hardly moves when I push down on it from top - and I mean pretty well not at all - there is no way I can get the car to move down even an inch - is it possble that struts can seize up and lose their compression travel? If I drive the car down a road with a series of bumps or tar strips it feels like the whole car is bouncing and nothing is absorbing the road shock - I looked at the springs and visually they look fine plus the car sits nice and level - the car has

85,000 miles on it

I am thinking the struts are the first place to start but in reading some of the information in discussions groups on worn struts the most common sign that is mentioned the most is that the car keeps bouncing - I can't even get mine to budge - note that I am not having any problem with the back suspension that I can detect

Anyway I got the car a month ago and am still feeling a bit of the purchase price dent in my wallet so I want to spend my repair money wisely

Thanks to anyone who can give me some advice - I have researched other subjects in this group and have read a lot of good information on many topics

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Joe 20 years ago

" snipped-for-privacy@hotmail.com" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@m79g2000cwm.googlegroups.com:

Visually inspect the struts and see if they're original or aftermarket, and if there is any fluid (possibly dried out) on them. If original or there are traces of fluid, you'll want to install new struts. Even aftermarkets will need to be changed after so many years, so you'll want to find out how old they are. From the sound of it, you probably need struts. In shopping for struts, remember that you basically get what you pay for.

In a car that old, you'll probably want to replace the rears as well unless they're fairly new and in good shape. Something else to look at would be the control arms that connect to the rear axle. Chances are good that they're original and the bushings are shot.

Finally, consider getting welded-in subframe connectors (_not_ bolt- ins). Convertibles are notoriously flexible flyers, so anything that strengthens the unibody is a good thing. Subframe connectors will eliminate the feeling that the rear is sort of following the front - the car will feel like a solid piece instead of a two-piece engine/caboose thing.

Joe Calypso Green '93 5.0 LX AOD hatch with a few goodies Black '03 Dakota 5.9 R/T CC

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GILL 20 years ago

Is the car modified at all? Springs, struts, are they stock? If not, any print on them? What color are they? Some high end performance struts are pretty stiff.

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dwight 20 years ago

Congratulations on your astute purchase. Now get ready to spend money, just keeping it in good condition.

Your description exactly mirrors my own, when I had my '93 stiffened up. Subframe connectors (check underneath the car to see if they were installed), new performance struts, shocks, and springs all around, and there was zero bounce, just like yours. It's quite possible that the previous owner had the car tightened up in this manner.

By comparison, I'm sure that my '93 GT convertible is stock. The ride is floaty and tight turns are a bit dramatic. That suspension characteristic is exactly why I had the other stiffened up. But I don't mind so much in the convertible, since that's my "toolin' around" car.

Hopefully, you'll find that the front struts are adjustible. If not, and you really think the ride is too tight, you might want to spring for some Konis up front, so you can tailor the ride the way you like it.

dwight

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question on struts and springs on 89 Mustang LX 5.0

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