Newbie SHO Owner

[93_SHO_FL]

Just picked up my 93 ATX - Green w/ black int. Paid $850 for it. A/C not working. But runs and drives great!

I'll browse the forum for a few initial questions prior to posting, s I don't sound like a complete SHO-Idiot.

I have some plans for her already. Let the fun begin.

 

[32MTX]

welcome from west palm beach, FL

enjoy the car, be sure to check out the FSHOC section on our forum and meet us at some meets

also ask away if you have any questions

 

[93_SHO_FL]

My steering seems loose, when I hit throttle, it has the normal torque steer, but the steering wheel has to move about 1/8-1/4 turn to correct it...are there bushings or something that need to be replaced somewhere?

Also, I've read where there are torque limiters to help with the torque steer, but then read that motor braces are better way to go.

Suggestions? Cuz it's frickin annoying. lol

Thanks.

 

[JRA2000TL]

Welcome. Not sure about the steering; someone else may be able to help with that. As for the a/c, it may be a simple fix. I picked up my 95 cheaper because the a/c didn't work. On a cold start, set it to max a/c 60 and see if the compressor kicks on. If so, try to recharge it with one of those 134a kits. If it takes a charge and cools for up to 15 min. and fails, your a/c clutch just needs a shim removed. I found this out on mine and was glad I didn't have to spend $1200 on a compressor and a/c lines.

 

[kevinspann]

Torque limiters are only on MTXs - however they are not to help with torque steer, they are to limit engine movement.

 

[shonuffmine]

Welcome from Ft Walton bch Fl. Sounds like you need to check the subframe and strut rod bushings as they sound like they are worn out! The bushings go bad ,the subframe moves around so the steering wheel moves with it!Also no burn outs unless you feel like buying trannies on a regular basis.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

I didn't buy the car to go fast really. I bought it as a daily driver so I could not have a car payment for a while. lol
I would like to make it last as long as possible, since it does have 175K on the clock.

The previous owner was a mechanic, and he just put new struts on the front, so maybe he neglected to replace the bushings. I read on here that aluminum sub frame bushings are good too, but as a daily driver, should I just get OEM or maybe urethane ones instead?

Thanks guys!

 

[NP SHO]

How far do you commute each day? There are plenty of people here who have the aluminum subframe bushings in their daily driver.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

How far do you commute each day? There are plenty of people here who have the aluminum subframe bushings in their daily driver.

I only drive 1 mile to work, however, I drive my personal vehicle for work, so I drive it all day...I average about 15-20k miles a year. Mostly city driving.

 

[32MTX]

aluminum subframe bushings kick ass

you really need someone to check it out for you if you can't to see what all is wrong with it. There are quite a few bushings or other problems that could give you the symptoms you describe

you need to check your rack bushings, subframe bushings, tie rods, wheel bearings, ball joints, strut rod bushings, control arm bushings, and strut rod bushing recievers welded onto the front of the subframe. All of those or one of them could be bad. That is where to start.


The A/c is harder to say. Start with verifying it is charged, check to see if the compressor clutch engages, if it does not, check to see that it is getting voltage to turn on. Again a multitude of problems could be at fault here.

fix all your bushings, get ALSFB's, get a good alignment, get some decent tires, upgrade the brakes/knuckles to the 96-99 SHO 11.6" front brakes, fix any coolant leaks if u have some....... you'll like the SHO a lot more with a few choice(and inexpensive) mods and just upgrading worn out 20 year old components......

I'd also look into the size of your swaybars and upgrading to something different, this can make a nice handling improvement by just swapping out stock ones from a junkyard. I have 20.5mm front swaybar and 26mm rear swaybar so it turns in crisp and has SOME traction in tight turns. I think mine stock had 24mm front and 23?mm rear.... it was a nose heavy pig that sucked in handling..... the later years of SHO all vary with swaybar sizes in a random fashion. I don't think their is a method to the madness of what came with what.

 

[93_SHO_FL]

Ok, so I'll be ordering the aluminum bushings asap then.

I usually do all my own work, so I'll be tearing ino her this weekend and hitting the junk yards and shopping online for parts.

So basically I should just replace the entire front suspension?
The previous owner replace struts, sway bar bushings, water pump, valve over gaskets, control arm, serp belt, tensioner, and another pulley he said was discontinued by Ford.

All in all, it's actually pretty clean and well worth the $850 I paid for it.

Do you have part numbers for the items I need to replace in the front end?

I was looking online for:

Alum sub fr bushings
ES urethane strut bushings
Tie rod ends (in & out)
Whatever else I may need...

Thanks for al lthe help for a newbie!

 

[32MTX]

check out rockauto.com

u can get pricing, parts, pictures, part numbers.....

I wouldn't just replace the entire front end, you might be waisting money, I don't disregard the stuff he already changed.... it could be worn out already or he never changed it.


shosource and ebay will have aluminum bushings

check the car out from top to bottom so you 100% KNOW what all is wrong and then go from there, some stuff can be upgraded if it is bad at the same time so you **** two birds with one stone.... I'd also be cruising the junkyard for a 99sho brake setup and 94-95 taurus knuckles so you can bolt the caliper/bracket onto it.....

 

[32MTX]

check out rockauto.com

u can get pricing, parts, pictures, part numbers.....

I wouldn't just replace the entire front end, you might be waisting money, I don't disregard the stuff he already changed.... it could be worn out already or he never changed it.


shosource and ebay will have aluminum bushings

check the car out from top to bottom so you 100% KNOW what all is wrong and then go from there, some stuff can be upgraded if it is bad at the same time so you **** two birds with one stone.... I'd also be cruising the junkyard for a 99sho brake setup and 94-95 taurus knuckles so you can bolt the caliper/bracket onto it.....

 

[digeronimo34]

throw up.some pictures when you can ....welcome