Suspension Horror

[megax29]

My suspension is all messed up. It dips forward big time when braking and squeeks and when I'm back out of a tight parking lot and turn the wheel it pops loudly. I don't know what it is..help. I've also noticed that my front driver wheel rubs on the sway bar. The driver wheel isn't centered in between the fender well instead it's favors the rear fender towards the back of the car. This is a diagram I hope it helps visualize the offset of the wheel favoring the back of the car.


Front of Car---( 0 )----------( 0 )----Back of Car
View from driver side.

I know an alignment will help but I want to completely correct the problem prior to installing a suspension.

[lowflyn]

My front wheels are offset to the rear slightly as well... I haven't noticed any rubbing issues however. Then again...I've driven the car 9 miles in a week so what do I know...

[jlhansen]

Off the top of my head, I would say check the strut rod, lower control arm, and upper strut/shock mount. I'm not too familiar with the mustang front end, but it's usually a three-point mount with the lower control arm and upper mount forming the support and the strut rod moving the wheel where it belongs fore/aft in the wheelbase.

Older cars with upper and lower A-Frames would shed bushings and do much the same thing, but I didn't think Mustangs used that setup.

[megax29]

What should I look for on the strut rod or a-arm. I had a body shop go through it and they couldn't find the part that was bent. They did tell me that the sway bar rubbed with wheel and it was noticeable and obvious. They didn't really help and referred me to a friend. Anyone know what could be wrong?

[jlhansen]

This is kinda a dumb question, but do you know that your wheel bearings are good? I broke some once and the caliper scraped on the rotor afterward.

With reference to the shop you visited, I'd find another shop. That was less than helpful. Tires aren't supposed to rub the strut rod, so I'd suspect that something isn't right. If they can't find it fairly easily, they should maybe go into food services or something benign.