i sure think that there is some other problem you are covering up with that shock. ive got 17" wheels, 275 size r-compound tires, 1/4" toe out, aluminum rack bushings and NO vibration.
actually less vibration than our jaguar xk8!
not critizing your solution, just saying that there is something broken thats not fixed. the stress of the vibration might be stressing parts at an accelerated rate. just want you to be safe!
(BTW, did you ever readjust your front wheel bearings?)
-james
__________________
FFCars member #9 - FFR 1630 http://thevenom.net 351 V8, 302 V8, Renesis, whatever's in a Murano
Yeap, redid the wheel bearing and turned the rotors last weekend. Also put new calipers on.
It's got to have something to do with FR and no rag joint, but I've spent hundreds of dollars on balancing, alignments, parts, etc... so I had to do something or sell the car and buy a Corvette!
Bill, the steering damper is the solution to many hot bikes too(literally a lifesaver ), whether they come stock on the machine or aftermarket. Maybe a purposeful misajustment of caster angle or other heroic measures on a FFR would reduce or remove the shimmy but if all else fails, the damper may be the very best compromise here as well as on sportbikes. Congratulations, Bill and Pete. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Did you try using just one before you decided to install two dampers? Just wondering if one would have done the trick. Also, did they have any affect on your steering effort?
Pete installed one on his and I drove it. It did drive 100% better than mine, but Pete felt two would make it even better so he installed two and felt it was required. I have a 15:1 rack, Pete has an 18:1 rack so my vibration was even worse. It didn't take that long to install, so two was the way to go IMO.
The passanager side only takes a few minutes to install. Now the drivers side is another story because of the over flow tank.
After installing mine I took it out and put it to the test. No vibration at 100+. I could take my hand off of the wheel at any speed.
It feels a little weird coming out of a corner, but I'll get used to it. The Porsche and BMW club have an autocross tomorrow, so we'll see how she does on the track.
But, did you ever try more toe in, to preload the front tires/suspension. If these cured the problem..... to me, the tires were searching due to a lack of toe in.
I could be wrong.
earl
__________________
See all of the "COBRAEARL's Creature Comfort FFR Accessories" HERE!
.
DONT CARE FOR THAT FIX, i feel that it is a band aid for the cause. When i went to different wheels i had no vibration, at all.If there is no rag joint in some of the cars out there and you have a vibration you will never git rid of it 100 %, just my 2 cents
Bill
Can you supply the year and model for which the steering dampner kit is designed for Jeep-need it to search NAPA and Autozone sites-or is there another source I need to contact. want to get rid of my vibrations ASAP.
Bill
I have been following your posts and problem. I don't remember....did you ever try swapping for a different FR 15:1? I share others concern for a cover up fix. I'm glad it's drivable but wonder if there is something wrong with the particular rack you have that may come back to bite you. Just my .02
TEC
__________________
Cheers TEC
\"To err is human. It takes a computer to really foul things up\" FFR 3674:Levy racing stage 3 motor and T-5Z Trans.Go-kart stage ,3link, 3.55 gears,Smith\'s gauges,Cobra R Wheels,body at SRP\'s, color will be Brittany Blue w/ pearl white stripes Build Site
MANY, MANY, MANY years ago, as a kid growing up on the farm, we had plenty of worn out trucks and tractors that the steering would start to vibrate at a certain speed. Some would get so violent that you would have to about stop to get the shimmy to stop. THese steering dampers stop that shimmy on our cars. There has got to be a reason the vibration is there to begin with. AND, I KNOW you guys have tried about everything.
__________________
See all of the "COBRAEARL's Creature Comfort FFR Accessories" HERE!
.
Earl,In our quest for super tight steering,we have in effect eliminated all of the dampening effect of the factory p/s,rubber bushings,and rag joint.Because of this,all of the road vibration is magnified and transmitted to the steering wheel as there is no dampening effect left in the system. Couple this with 10" wide 17" tires on a flyweight car and the problems increase.Before I installed the stabilizers,my car would run fine on newly paved asphalt roads but vibrated on rough roads and concrete freeways.So far so good.I know that poor Bill spent alot of time and money trying to correct the problem but nothing else seemed to work.Hope this info is of some use.Pete.
Davem,unfortunately,I had to build the setup I used on our cars as this is not an aftermarket kit.The shocks are readily available and the other components are not difficult to buy or build.Here are the key parts used:
-Procomp ES2000 series shock PN 219200
-Brackets 3/8"x2" steel bar
-U-bolts 3/8" 1-1/8 ID wide x2 1/4 ID of legs
-1/2x3" grade 8 bolts(for top mt.of shock.3/8x1 1/4 bolts for lower hole in bracket.
-1/2" alum or steel spacer plate(tie rod end)
I'm no automotive engineer and don't know if this is the best fix or not,but it seems to work on our cars.Good luck,Pete.
Apparently the rear quad shocks on our cars are actually steering dampers in disguise. I ordered new ones and the item was listed as "steering damper" which I questioned but was shown to be correct. I suppose Ford adapted the steering damper to the quad shock set-up, so if someone wants to try out this vibration solution they could probably use the horizontal Mustang shock if they've got some laying around.
Chabel,the shocks are about $30.00 ea.and the hardware parts maybe $20.00.So you'll have around $80.00 not including any outside labor you may use.The tough part may be drilling and cutting the steel.Pete.
From my past experience with manual steering cars, many of them have a steering damper. Humm... Wonder why they call it a "damper"? I have a new VW damper under my bench, I'd already considered adding it to my FFR.
I think it's a good fix but I think 2 are overkill. Shocks work in both directions.
Pete & Bill I give you an "A" on this one. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Mike.I began with one shock on the passenger side and it helped considerably,but there was still some vibration.The second unit further improved it.Pete.
Welcome to FFCars! The
representations expressed are the representations and opinions of
the FFCars.com forum members and do not necessarily reflect the
opinions and viewpoints of the site owners, moderators, Factory Five
Racing, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. This website
has been planned and developed by FFCars.com and its forum members
and should not be construed as being endorsed by Factory Five
Racing, Inc. or Ford Motor Company for any
purpose. "FFR", "Factory Five", "Factory Five Racing", and the
Factory Five Racing logo are registered trademarks of Factory Five
Racing, Inc. FFCars.com forum members agree not to
post any copyrighted material unless the copyrighted material is
owned by you. Although we do not and cannot review the messages
posted and are not responsible for the content of any of these
messages, we reserve the right to delete any message for any reason
whatsoever. You remain solely responsible for the content of your
messages, and you agree to indemnify and hold us harmless with
respect to any claim based upon transmission of your message(s).
Thank you for visiting the FFCars.com Forum dedicated to Factory
Five.
), whether they come stock on the machine or aftermarket. Maybe a purposeful misajustment of caster angle or other heroic measures on a FFR would reduce or remove the shimmy but if all else fails, the damper may be the very best compromise here as well as on sportbikes. Congratulations, Bill and Pete. [img]smile.gif[/img]
Will start assembling parts this weekend.
Linear Mode
