Need more front suspension help

JDwhite98gt

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Mods for front suspension:
Ford C springs (no iso's)
MM 4 bolt CC plates
Tocikko Blues (replaced all around in December '09)
UPR bumpsteer kit
275/35/18 Hankook Ventus Evo tires
18x9 Saleen Reps

Basically my car is all over the road. I have had 3 alignments in the past 5 months (good thing I bought lifetime from firestone), center steer is never perfect and it bugs the ish outta me, Bumpsteer sucks even though I have the kit and the tierod is level with the A arm ( the A arm is angled slightly upwards and bumpsteerkit is at the same angle as A arm), I'm sure I can contribute some of that to such wide tires and crappy roads. My steering wheel shakes side to side when I brake, which would make you think that rotors are warpped, which they are, but its a severe vibration and steering wheel almost turning in my hand. The car pulls steady to the right. The last time I had the car aligned, I asked the tech to check all of my bushings, every once in a while I have a bit of a clunk coming from my drivers side front end making right turns only. He said that the drivers side, front LCA bushings were "pushing out, but its not too bad and shouldnt be giving you any problems...replace in the near future". I also went to the junkyard and got a "newer" steering shaft out of a new edge. While I was down there I could tilt the steering rack front to back with the shaft unbolted...the bushings didnt look too good. So, which of these problems is causing the car to trail the roads, numb steering (feels like the front end is floating on the highway), and affects the alignment? Also, one more thing about center steer, I will be driving straight with the steering wheel slightly pointed to the left, I hit a bump and now I'm driving straight with the steering wheel pointed slightly to the right.
Hopefully you guys can help me find out which parts are causing all this pain. Thanks, JD
 

greenscobie86

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Whats the setting on the caster John? Seems like maybe you could use some more neg. caster so the car doesn't feel too busy at speed..

I just got my alignment done recently as well and the tech dialed in caster to stock specs, definitely made the car more fidgety on the highway and over uneven surfaces.
 
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JDwhite98gt

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I had the car aligned to MM specs that came in the directions. I just need to know what parts are causing me to loose my alignment settings.
 

2slo95fiveoh

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Sounds like your rack and pinion bushings are shot.. there is such a gap in the bushing, that it is causing the bump steer you are experiencing.
That worn of bushings is crossing the line into a safety concern.
 
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JDwhite98gt

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2slo95fiveoh said:
Sounds like your rack and pinion bushings are shot.. there is such a gap in the bushing, that it is causing the bump steer you are experiencing.
That worn of bushings is crossing the line into a safety concern.

Thank you. Yes I know this is a safety concern which is why I was asking which of all of my bad bushings is causing the biggest problem. I'll have to go and get some OEM replacements. Does anyone have a write up on how to change front LCA bushings?
 

vermilion

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how are your ball joints? have you used off set rack bushings or the condition of your rack? straighten your wheel, jack it up and for for shimmy play in the tie rods. or the steering rod rubber bushing. im giving more options i hope.
 
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JDwhite98gt

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Well I replaced the rack bushings. The ones I took out felt like rubber and the new OEM replacements felt like hard plastic. Steering feels a lot more solid then it did before but I found out I have a bad wheel bearing which is what is causing my bad vibrations and maybe even a bit of shimmy from the front end on the highway.
 

vermilion

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i would def agree that could happen. what is the indication of the bearings? jacking it up and checking for wheel play?
 
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JDwhite98gt

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Yes I have a little play when hands are at 12 and 6 oclock. No play really at 3 and 9. Also when I had my brakes all off last weekend I was turning the spindle by hand and it was clicking.
 

CC'S95GT

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JDwhite98gt said:
Yes I have a little play when hands are at 12 and 6 oclock. No play really at 3 and 9. Also when I had my brakes all off last weekend I was turning the spindle by hand and it was clicking.

that's not a good sign
 
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JDwhite98gt

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LOL uh yea :tongue3:........which is why I said I know my bearing is bad, just wondering if it can cause handling issues.
 

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