Popping in front suspension help please

[bjorkmae]

I just put in new ball joint less than 1k miles ago and the front end still pops when hitting some bumps, slowing down at a stop sign or sometimes taking off. Its not very consistent either as I can't always replicate it. It popped before the new ball joints but it seams like it got worse after the new ball joints or maybe I am paying more attention now? the old ball joints actually didn't even look bad and appeared to have been replaced in the past and were moog ball joints. I replaced the inner and outer tie rods at the same time, only one inner tie rod had play but I figured if I was doing one to due them all. The steering has no slop now and has a fresh alignment. I also replaced the front sway bar end links with quality moog units. I tightened the k-member to body bolts and all other bolts I could see including shocks mounting bolts etc. I even cut 1/8" off of the sleeves that the steering rack mount bolts go through so that the rubber bushings would be tighter, this made the steering more responsive. So after all of this it still makes the pop sound as I described with no improvement. The only thing left to replace is the bushings on the lower control arms and I can't get those to move at all with side to side pressure with the car jacked up. What could this be?

 

[vermilion]

could be the arm bushings. it does have some age if you have never replaced them. probably better off just switching to new control arms. if memory serves correct they come with bushings.

 

[bjorkmae]

Any preference on the control arms and prices? Is it possible that the CC plates could do this?

 

[vermilion]

some people swap to 03-04 cobra control arms or get new stockers. check to see if the plates need tightening.

 

[Bullitt5339]

Any preference on the control arms and prices? Is it possible that the CC plates could do this?

My raggedy UPR CC plates make a ton of noise, they're coming off next week. I'm so tired of the clunking. I also mistook the noise for balljoints, and replaced them. It's embarassing when you're driving through a bumpy parking lot, and the car sounds like it's falling apart.

 

[MustangMoser]

first unbolt your sway bar end links and see if the noise goes away

 

[bjorkmae]

I think my CC plates are UPR, the previous owner got them used. Thing is I can't get them to make the same noise by pushing up and down on the car.

 

[bjorkmae]

I fixed it finally! Ok I checked the CC plates and they were fine, sway bar was fine. So I checked the A-arm to K-member bolts and they weren't very tight. I tightened them up with a 1/2" ratchet and no more noise. Since a few of the bolts were in backwards I suspect the previous owner took them out when installing the lowering springs.

 

[MustangMoser]

good deal, scary to know such an important bolt was left lose isnt it?

 

[bjorkmae]

Yeah the previous owner was a pretty cool guy, a member here actually, and he knew his stuff. But this isn't the first loose bolt I have found on this car that I suspect he left loose. The CC plates were on the wrong sides, left vs right, stereo wiring was kinda interesting aka twist and tape connections, loose drive line bolts. But he did an awesome job on the exhaust, full mac exhaust, long tube headers, o/r prochamber, catback pipes. I figure we all make mistakes and I was just glad it was a cheap fix. Now dispite the advice I got from a few forums I went ahead and bought a cobra IRS from a 2001, yeah I know the 2003-04 models are stronger. Anyway how much better are the brakes on the 01 cobra rear? Looks like they are the same cobra brakes from 94-01 and then in 02 they changed rear brakes. But when looking for pads it appears as though the 2000 gt pads are the same part number? Anyway I am selling my 2000 3.73 axle with brakes control arms, abs sensors in good shape for $300 on craigslist. Think the price is too high or too low please let me know.

 

[MustangMoser]

all 94-04 cobras have an 11.65 inch rear rotor, GTs and V6s have a 10.5 inch rotor. Calipers are the same, different brackets to allow the bigger rotors

 

[bjorkmae]

Ok I was basing the brakes on Autozone rear pad part numbers.