[CJBergquist]

I took my Gen I Coupe (complete kit + IRS) to Custom Alignment in Mountain View CA. Highly respected in the Mustang & Cobra racing community. They inspected the car and told me I needed to replace the early SN95 spindles (FFR supplied) with later (97 - 2004) SN95s that don't have the dog leg. (He isn't trying to sell me spindles or labor to install...he sent me on my way to fix myself and return later.) This is to correct the bump steer. I asked about a "bump steer kit" and he wasn't sure the kit would fit with 15" wheels and said the later SN95s was the best way to fix this problem.

Dang!!!! I thought I was getting close...I really don't want to do a bunch of rework.

Will any 97 - 2004 SN95 work?

This is what I have.

 

[Rich A]

Curious, What rack bushings are you using?

 

[Michael Everson]

Something doesn't seem right. Hundreds of us have used these spindles. A bump steer kit should fit with no issues on 15 inch wheels.
Mike

 

[CJBergquist]

Stock rack bushing. Not offset.

Mike, that's what I'm struggling with...

 

[loeffler1]

Chris

I used the offset rack bushings from Breeze and Mike's bump steer kit with the same spindles and 15" wheels and according to my alignment shop, all is OK. Not on the road yet so can't say for sure.

Bill

 

[CJBergquist]

Bill, any reason you didn't use Mikes offset rack bushings?

 

[MikeKelly]

Your bump steer *should be* better with what you've got than it will be with the later model stuff.

Here's the proof:

Gregs '65 Shelby AC Cobra Build (FFR) - Bump Steer Error - '95 and '96 SN95's - Worldisround photo

HTH,

Mike

 

[CHOTIS BILL]

The SN94-94 spindle is definitely better and could be made even better by shimming between the steering arm and the tie rod end.

Bill Lomenick

 

[Fluge]

How do I know if I have the older or newer SN95? Where is the dog leg?

Marc

 

[Rich A]

How do I know if I have the older or newer SN95? Where is the dog leg?

Marc

Fluge,
Dogleg on the left, non dogleg on the right.
HTH

 

[loeffler1]

Chris

At the time I didn't know Mike had them. I had bought the Breeze bushings back a while ago anticipating bump steer. You know the story, read it on the forum and go out and spend some money! Well, every time I had it up on jackstsnds working on it with wheels at full droop it just seemed to really toe in. So one day I measured it and it was quite a bit. So I put on the bushings and that seemed to help and then I got Mike's bump steer kit which really seemed to help the tow in. Finally a few years later (this summer to be exact) I decided to bring it to a highly recommended alignment shop and had the pinion angle adjusted, ride height adjusted, alignment and bump steer checked. He claimed it looked real good. The alignment was set slightly different than FFR specs but he said when I get on the road this spring (prayer here) to bring it back in for a freebie look see. Can't beat that. I kinda think he enjoyed working on it as he was all excited about the coupe as he is a bit of a gearhead.

Bill

 

[CJBergquist]

Mike, Bill, Rich...all good information. Thanks

I confirmed with Jim Schenck, director of FFR R&D that I have the correct (best) spindles, they are mounted correctly and the bump steer kit should fit my 15" wheels.

I'm going to have the shop align front and back as is and see where we are and go from there....next week.

 

[CraigS]

You have the good spindles so that makes me wonder about the alignment shop in spite of their reputation. Offset rack bushings to lower the rack also usually help. If you are running power steering, increasing the caster helps bumpsteer by raising the end of the steering arm portion of the spindle.