Suspension headacke

[J.L.Gordon]

I put a new tranny in my 95 atx and replaced all the bushing,axle's,SFB's,P/S pump and rack.Well the replacment rack was bad,it was kicking back and forth.So I had an alignment done thinking that was the problem after rebuilding the front end...NOT.So I pulled it and replace it with another new rack and I replace the upper strut mounts and new koni adjustables.I've also replaced the p/s pressue switch.Now I still have a squeeking and popping noise turning and going over bumps.And the power steering is acting like its over pressure or something, way too much assist.You have to be very careful not to let the weight of your hand move the steering wheel.You could blow on it and it would turn.I've put so much money and time in this car,I'm getting ready to part the bastard out.

 

[platoribs]

I've put so much money and time in this car,I'm getting ready to part the bastard out.

 

[Art5]

did you change strut mounts? what about strut rod bushings and stabilizer bar bushings and links?

 

[J.L.Gordon]

Yeah its all new from RCM.(SHO HD Adjustable front strut mount and all the bushing for the front end.Wondering if the struts are to tight or to loose,I just replaced them from koni's because the alignment shop crushed the tops of the struts tightening them and left the adjustable mounts loose so I just replaced them with new mounts from RCM and new koni's.This car is cursed!!!I just got the DMV and its due for a smog,so I start it up and it throws a 337 code first time this car ever had a code in the 6 years Ive owned it.Everything mechanical and electrical from the firewall forward is new on this car.I've spend alot of money and time on this car.When something has to be serviced I service everything I can get to.This is my 3rd SHO and between Ford and Ingersoll-Rand I've been in the mechanical field for over 30 years,so I know my way around a wrench,but this has me disgusted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[turbo79]

Have you checked issues related to the VAPS adjustments?

I've heard (here) that if the VAPS system (pressure switch?) is not right then the steering becomes dangerous.

VAPS = variable assist power steering, this was OEM beginning in 1993. Some SHO owners disable this, and this may be where the issue was discusssed.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Did you check and make sure the bottom bolt on the Konis is tight?

Have the control arms been replaced? Outer tie rods?

Have you lifted the wheel off the ground and wiggled it at 12 and 6 then 9 and 3?

 

[SeanMc]

The crackle noise could be the strut bearings.

 

[rubydist]

I have also had popping noises from loose sway bar end links, loose bolts on the top of the struts, and loose subframe bushings. basically, you need to double-check all of the fasteners on the front end.....

 

[J.L.Gordon]

Yes the control arm,s everything and I mean everything has been replaced on the front end and the bottom bolt on the koni's are tight.It seem to me the struts are loose.tight turns in a parking lot make a snapping noise,going over bumps sounds like its banging.As for the steering I didn't replace the VAPS unit,but I did replace the pressure switch.Can I disable the VAPS to see how it steer's.The upper strut bushing's also had new strut bearings I replaced.This car sounds like a SHO with blown out strut bushings.I used a torque wrench to tighten them to 45 flbs.The struts that Koni sent me had too much thread and I had to use 2 hardened washers on each strut to get the nut tight.I'm almost at the point of pulling the Eibach's and koni's and going back to a stock setup.And once again THANKS everybody for your input.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

For the Konis did you use the inserts at the top or are they loose?

 

[J.L.Gordon]

YES,the insert were a pain in the **** to get in.