Suspension setup / big brake recommendations

jbou91

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So my car is pretty scary, seems like its all over the road and if I have to stop hard I feel like the front wheels lose traction and the car doesn't want to stop. Even going 30mph and come to a hard stop the car is unpredictable.

I have a whole new set of EBC brakes and pads with stainless lines, should I scrap these and go to a big brake kit?(not installed)

What would you guys recommend for the front end to be more stable?

Any input is appreciated
 

01yellercobra

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You need to look over the front end. It sounds like you have a couple issues going on. My guess would be the bushings and bearings needs to be replaced. Also what kind of shape are the tires in?
 

Skitzerman

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Ball joints, bushings and struts to start, including the steering rack. Brakes for sure, big brakes preferred but anything new is an upgrade. Good luck getting it straightened out or you'll be called........"Speedo no can stop".
 

jrgoffin

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Go here to the Suspension & Brakes pages: www.teminator-cobra.com

My car handles immensely better than it ever did from the factory, but then again an aluminum block helps. Get the BBK anyway - always a good idea. Lots of the components I’ve used work very well.
 

jbou91

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I checked the front end not too long ago, everything seems intact. The car doesn't have that many miles (22k). Tires are new with about 3000 miles on them. The car has acted like this before this wheel/tire setup. Is it just the shitty suspension from Ford or is there something wrong with the car?
 

TerminatoRS

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Can you give us some detailed examples/descriptions of the conditions and the symptoms?

When you say the front end feels all over the place, my first thought is directional front tires grabbing ruts in the pavement and hard braking will only emphasize that. Being that you're in Chicago (I'm in Milwaukee) it's a good possibility given our road conditions.

Losing traction all together would certainly require a combination of factors (standing on the brakes, good amount of speed, no ABS...etc) so that seems unlikely IMO.

If the front end appears to be in a good shape as you mentioned, maybe consider taking it somewhere reputable for a simple alignment. $100 versus $1200+ on a big brake kit... A bad tie rod or ball joint, for example, might look okay at a glance, but it'll prohibit a proper alignment and unless the shop is okay with sending you out the door with a dangerous vehicle, they should let you know.
 

94slowbra1

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my first thought here is worn out parts combined with a bad alignment. parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, struts, bushings ect...) may look good and be properly installed but may not be functioning right, loose or worn out. second here is a good alignment. even if the car is tracking straight and the steering wheel is straight doesnt mean the alignment is good. take it to a good reputable shop and see what they say.
as for the braking you dont NEED a big brake kit for 30mph stops. good fluid, new pads, stainless lines and good rotors will go a long way. and make sure all is broken in properly.
dont just start throwing money at new parts, it wont fix your problems. if some parts are indeed worn out then yes you will have to replace as needed
 

jbou91

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Can you give us some detailed examples/descriptions of the conditions and the symptoms?

When you say the front end feels all over the place, my first thought is directional front tires grabbing ruts in the pavement and hard braking will only emphasize that. Being that you're in Chicago (I'm in Milwaukee) it's a good possibility given our road conditions.

Losing traction all together would certainly require a combination of factors (standing on the brakes, good amount of speed, no ABS...etc) so that seems unlikely IMO.

If the front end appears to be in a good shape as you mentioned, maybe consider taking it somewhere reputable for a simple alignment. $100 versus $1200+ on a big brake kit... A bad tie rod or ball joint, for example, might look okay at a glance, but it'll prohibit a proper alignment and unless the shop is okay with sending you out the door with a dangerous vehicle, they should let you know.

Lets just say for example I do a quick 2nd gear pull and I need to stop pretty hard, I feel as if the front wheels are sliding and not gripping the floor. I have no control of the car what so ever so I pray that the damn thing will stop.

Another example was once I was driving, hit the brakes and tried to take a corner at like 15-20 mph and the car wouldn't turn, it lost traction and just kept going straight while my steering wheel was turned all the way.

One thing I've noticed is when I first drive the car, there is a "play/wobble" in the steering wheel but goes away when the suspension is warmed up.

I'm going to lift the car today and do a thorough check of the suspension once again. It may be time for an alignment.
 

jbou91

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my first thought here is worn out parts combined with a bad alignment. parts (ball joints, tie rod ends, struts, bushings ect...) may look good and be properly installed but may not be functioning right, loose or worn out. second here is a good alignment. even if the car is tracking straight and the steering wheel is straight doesnt mean the alignment is good. take it to a good reputable shop and see what they say.
as for the braking you dont NEED a big brake kit for 30mph stops. good fluid, new pads, stainless lines and good rotors will go a long way. and make sure all is broken in properly.
dont just start throwing money at new parts, it wont fix your problems. if some parts are indeed worn out then yes you will have to replace as needed

Appreciate the input, going to look over everything again and definitely doing the alignment.

Yeah i'm not just dumping money into it, that's why I appreciate you guys responding/helping.

Cheers
 

01yellercobra

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What kind of shape are your front tires in?when was the last time you checked the air pressure? I would think if your tires were actually slipping the ABS would be kicking in.
 

03yllwguy

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What you are describing will not be resolved with a BBK. As others have pointed out, you need to have your suspension, tires, alignment inspected and diagnosed by professionals. While a BBK is a great upgrade, your described ailments are not normal.
 

jbou91

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What kind of shape are your front tires in?when was the last time you checked the air pressure? I would think if your tires were actually slipping the ABS would be kicking in.

Front tires have under 3k miles are right around 2 years old, as I said its acted like this before this wheel/tire setup. I run 32psi in the fronts

Now that you mention it I don't think the ABS has ever kicked on... little odd
 

jbou91

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What you are describing will not be resolved with a BBK. As others have pointed out, you need to have your suspension, tires, alignment inspected and diagnosed by professionals. While a BBK is a great upgrade, your described ailments are not normal.

Checked out the car again, there is the slightest play in the passenger side wheel bearing but I'm not sure that would cause this...Besides that everything checked out, shocks, ball joints, etc..

Going to get an alignment and see how that goes
 

01yellercobra

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You'd need surprised how much of a difference a little bit of play can make. I almost totaled my car because of a bad rear hub bearing. The tire didn't move when I checked it. I finally said the hell with it and removed the axle nut. The bearing proceeded to fall out in pieces. I replaced it and no problem since.

Also, try bumping up the tires 4 or 5PSI. Depending on the tires you've been running they might be soft. I know when I air down my drag radials they feel all kinds of weird. I was thinking the rear end was sliding around. Turns out it was just the tires squirming.
 
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SonicDTR

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Low mile doesn't mean the tires are good. I had a set of cheap 275s on cobra 10.5" wheels that my 90hp 4 cylinder fox could spin, very little traction.

What tire brand and size are you running?
 

keith89

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definitely a bad suspension component, alignment issue, or bad tires. A big brake kit will just make it even worse until you sort out the issue. does it pull to one side when you brake hard? any clunks or rattles when driving over rough roads a low speeds?

Also, lets say you are actually locking up the front brakes...logic says a big brake kit will only make it worse. Brakes stop the wheels. tires stop the car.
 

Jibber

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You shouldn't be driving the car until you've sorted this out.
Your description of an incident you had would deter me from driving it if it was mine.

I'm interested to see what you find out.

Sent from my SM-N975U using the svtperformance.com mobile app
 

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