Stiffining up the suspension

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 02:33 AM

Ever since I installed my 18"s my car's suspension has been very shakey and very rough. I get alignments and balancing and nothing stops. I am starting to think the cause of this is simply the rims adding weight and the low profile tires. Therefore, I want to add some suspension upgrades before I lower it and cause even more roughness. Here is what I am look at:

Steeda Strut Tower Brace (99-04 GT/V6) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!
Steeda Rear Shock Tower Brace (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!
Mustang Full Length Subframe Connectors (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!
Eibach Anti-Roll Kit (94-04 excluding the 99-04 Cobra) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

I would prolly do the Steeda Front and Rear Strut Tower brace first, followed by the Subframe connectors, followed by the Anti-Roll kit.

How does this setup look? Anything I should add in there or change to add some stiffness and better ride quality?

I know the Sub-Frame Connectors have to be welded. Are the rest able to be installed by me with normal tools?

RedDevilGT · March 23rd, 2009, 06:04 AM

Setup looks great. Are you confident in drilling the holes to mount the Steeda Strut Tower Brace on your own?

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 09:45 AM

Did not look that hard. Only thing that concerns me on that aspect are the holes at the firewall. Im wondering how I would get to the other side to tighten the nuts. You think these parts will help some with the vibration I am feeling in the car?

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 09:47 AM

I see for the rear shock tower it says "Some welding required". So the Sub-Frame connectors and the Rear Shock Tower Brace need to be welded?

RedDevilGT · March 23rd, 2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Zatrekaz

I see for the rear shock tower it says "Some welding required". So the Sub-Frame connectors and the Rear Shock Tower Brace need to be welded?

Yeah i'm afraid that you're going to have to do some welding for both of those. As for it fixing the vibration problem, i honestly could not tell you

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 10:07 AM

Originally Posted by Mattman

Yeah i'm afraid that you're going to have to do some welding for both of those. As for it fixing the vibration problem, i honestly could not tell you

On the install instructions it has nothing about welding the front. Simple bolting. Has pics, list of tools, everything. I see nothing about welding

RedDevilGT · March 23rd, 2009, 10:14 AM

Sorry, i should have been more specific, On the rear strut tower brace and sub frame connectors it requires welding

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 01:42 PM

Originally Posted by Mattman

Sorry, i should have been more specific, On the rear strut tower brace and sub frame connectors it requires welding

Ahh ok. Anyone else have any insight on this? I am beggining to think that the problem is with my rims, so I know doing these upgrades will not solve the problem, just make it more torrerable.

I think I am going to slap on my stock rims/tires and see if it changes the vibrations. That way I can tell if it's my car or my rims. I know a bit of the ride quality goes down with the low profile tires, but dang... it's alot Lol

willis6er · March 23rd, 2009, 05:45 PM

im not positive but i think the bigger rims are what is causing the vibrations. you have more surface area touching the ground and you can feel it more, especially with the low profile tires. try putting some mid size tires on and see if that helps.

Redux · March 23rd, 2009, 06:24 PM

Oh man this make me confident in the $1300 I spent on new 18's wrapped in falcons.... They come in on Thursday so we will see I guess....

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by willis6er

im not positive but i think the bigger rims are what is causing the vibrations. you have more surface area touching the ground and you can feel it more, especially with the low profile tires. try putting some mid size tires on and see if that helps.

Bigger tires would lift it some no? It already looks like a 4x4. I will look at what size tires I have tonight. I am thinking adding the products I listed above will help with the ride quality.

I think the Anti-Roll kit and the Tower connectors will help the most, followed by the subframe connectors. Gonna contact a local suspension shop about how much they would want to weld the rear strut bar and the Subframe connectors.

willis6er · March 23rd, 2009, 09:27 PM

those probably will help some. you might want to look into some better suspension products like sport springs and shocks.

RedDevilGT · March 23rd, 2009, 09:53 PM

Yeah this is making me not want to get rims now. I do have eibach pro-kit springs, so i hope that will help

Toph6888 · March 23rd, 2009, 10:58 PM

Originally Posted by Zatrekaz

Bigger tires would lift it some no? It already looks like a 4x4. I will look at what size tires I have tonight. I am thinking adding the products I listed above will help with the ride quality.

I think the Anti-Roll kit and the Tower connectors will help the most, followed by the subframe connectors. Gonna contact a local suspension shop about how much they would want to weld the rear strut bar and the Subframe connectors.

Bigger tires wont necissarily raise the car, you have to look at the overall diameter of the wheel plus tire, so if you have an 18 inch rim, and go with a large profile tire, it will raise it, but if you go with a big rim, and a low profile tire, you can be the same height as stock or lower depending on the profile

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 11:47 PM

I currently have 265/35 ZR18 on the back 18x10 and 245/40 ZR18 on the front 18x9. What would be a size I could go with that would give me more support without raising the car to much? What about larger tires in the back... would it help any? If so, what size?

Zatrekaz · March 23rd, 2009, 11:59 PM

According to AM the best tire size for my rims are:

18x9:
275/35-18
Chrome S Style Wheel 94-04 (18x9) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

18x10:
285/35-18
Chrome S Style Wheel 94-04 (18x10) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!

I currently run a 245/40 on the front and 265/35 on the rear. Maybe this is my problem? Seems like my tires are way off what would be good for my rims.

Zatrekaz · March 24th, 2009, 11:39 AM

Lefty · March 24th, 2009, 11:49 AM

Here's an easy answer. To stiffen up your ride more, get stiffer springs.

Zatrekaz · March 24th, 2009, 06:05 PM

I'm just wondering if my tires being smaller than they need to be would cause it?

willis6er · March 24th, 2009, 09:32 PM

i guess it could be but you are always going to feel and hear the road more when you get bigger rims

March 23rd, 2009, 02:33 AM	#1
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	Stiffining up the suspension Ever since I installed my 18"s my car's suspension has been very shakey and very rough. I get alignments and balancing and nothing stops. I am starting to think the cause of this is simply the rims adding weight and the low profile tires. Therefore, I want to add some suspension upgrades before I lower it and cause even more roughness. Here is what I am look at: Steeda Strut Tower Brace (99-04 GT/V6) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! Steeda Rear Shock Tower Brace (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! Mustang Full Length Subframe Connectors (79-04) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! Eibach Anti-Roll Kit (94-04 excluding the 99-04 Cobra) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! I would prolly do the Steeda Front and Rear Strut Tower brace first, followed by the Subframe connectors, followed by the Anti-Roll kit. How does this setup look? Anything I should add in there or change to add some stiffness and better ride quality? I know the Sub-Frame Connectors have to be welded. Are the rest able to be installed by me with normal tools? __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 23rd, 2009, 06:04 AM	#2
RedDevilGT BF3 FTW 2005 Mustang GT 2001 Mustang V6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,565 iTrader: 0 reviews	Setup looks great. Are you confident in drilling the holes to mount the Steeda Strut Tower Brace on your own? __________________ 01' V6 SCT tuned, Dual Flowmasters & H-pipe, 8000k 35w HID's, Steeda Short Shifter, BBK CAI, Eibach pro-kit, 3.73's and t-lok. 05' GT: Pypes Pype Bomb's, Shorty Antenna, Painted Mirror covers, Decklid Panel.

March 23rd, 2009, 09:45 AM	#3
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	Did not look that hard. Only thing that concerns me on that aspect are the holes at the firewall. Im wondering how I would get to the other side to tighten the nuts. You think these parts will help some with the vibration I am feeling in the car? __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 23rd, 2009, 09:47 AM	#4
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	I see for the rear shock tower it says "Some welding required". So the Sub-Frame connectors and the Rear Shock Tower Brace need to be welded? __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 23rd, 2009, 10:14 AM	#7
RedDevilGT BF3 FTW 2005 Mustang GT 2001 Mustang V6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,565 iTrader: 0 reviews	Sorry, i should have been more specific, On the rear strut tower brace and sub frame connectors it requires welding __________________ 01' V6 SCT tuned, Dual Flowmasters & H-pipe, 8000k 35w HID's, Steeda Short Shifter, BBK CAI, Eibach pro-kit, 3.73's and t-lok. 05' GT: Pypes Pype Bomb's, Shorty Antenna, Painted Mirror covers, Decklid Panel.

March 23rd, 2009, 05:45 PM	#9
willis6er Enthusiast 2003 Mustang GT N/A Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 629 iTrader: 0 reviews	im not positive but i think the bigger rims are what is causing the vibrations. you have more surface area touching the ground and you can feel it more, especially with the low profile tires. try putting some mid size tires on and see if that helps. __________________ NCMM Founder NCMM -- Check it out and join us! PM White03v6 or myself if interested in joining NCMM. RIP 04 v6... Hello 03 GT

March 23rd, 2009, 06:24 PM	#10
Redux Hardcore Enthusiast 1998 Mustang 3.8 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Aggieland Posts: 1,145 iTrader: 6 reviews	Oh man this make me confident in the $1300 I spent on new 18's wrapped in falcons.... They come in on Thursday so we will see I guess....

March 23rd, 2009, 09:27 PM	#12
willis6er Enthusiast 2003 Mustang GT N/A Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 629 iTrader: 0 reviews	those probably will help some. you might want to look into some better suspension products like sport springs and shocks. __________________ NCMM Founder NCMM -- Check it out and join us! PM White03v6 or myself if interested in joining NCMM. RIP 04 v6... Hello 03 GT

March 23rd, 2009, 09:53 PM	#13
RedDevilGT BF3 FTW 2005 Mustang GT 2001 Mustang V6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 3,565 iTrader: 0 reviews	Yeah this is making me not want to get rims now. I do have eibach pro-kit springs, so i hope that will help __________________ 01' V6 SCT tuned, Dual Flowmasters & H-pipe, 8000k 35w HID's, Steeda Short Shifter, BBK CAI, Eibach pro-kit, 3.73's and t-lok. 05' GT: Pypes Pype Bomb's, Shorty Antenna, Painted Mirror covers, Decklid Panel.

March 23rd, 2009, 11:47 PM	#15
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	I currently have 265/35 ZR18 on the back 18x10 and 245/40 ZR18 on the front 18x9. What would be a size I could go with that would give me more support without raising the car to much? What about larger tires in the back... would it help any? If so, what size? __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 23rd, 2009, 11:59 PM	#16
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	According to AM the best tire size for my rims are: 18x9: 275/35-18 Chrome S Style Wheel 94-04 (18x9) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! 18x10: 285/35-18 Chrome S Style Wheel 94-04 (18x10) at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping! I currently run a 245/40 on the front and 265/35 on the rear. Maybe this is my problem? Seems like my tires are way off what would be good for my rims. __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 24th, 2009, 11:39 AM	#17
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	__________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 24th, 2009, 11:49 AM	#18
Lefty The Doctor '01 Cobra Vert. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 27,356 iTrader: 11 reviews	Here's an easy answer. To stiffen up your ride more, get stiffer springs. __________________ 2008 Acura TL Type-S (the daily) 2006 Yamaha R6 50th Anniversary Edition (the other toy)

March 24th, 2009, 06:05 PM	#19
Zatrekaz Wax on, Wax off 2003 Mustang V6 16.8@83.3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 6,618 iTrader: 12 reviews	I'm just wondering if my tires being smaller than they need to be would cause it? __________________ OEM Used 99-04 Dark Charcoal Carpet For Sale

March 24th, 2009, 09:32 PM	#20
willis6er Enthusiast 2003 Mustang GT N/A Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 629 iTrader: 0 reviews	i guess it could be but you are always going to feel and hear the road more when you get bigger rims __________________ NCMM Founder NCMM -- Check it out and join us! PM White03v6 or myself if interested in joining NCMM. RIP 04 v6... Hello 03 GT

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