Suspension - (noun) - keeps your butt planted where you want it.
Brakes - (noun) - remedy for the "stop...stOP...STOP!!!" moments in life.
The much loved, hated, and often overlooked suspension and brakes. I always shake my head when somebody starts to ramble about how they had this and that car and put a monster motor in it, blah, blah, blah, but never once talked about the suspension and brakes. "I put on a big carberator, headers, and tuned that engine to be a rocket..." Yah, and you still have drum brakes at all four wheels. Please take that death-trap somewhere else where somebody cars, cause I'm walking. I'm a firm believer in I want the car to turn and stop well before I ever want it to go fast. So when I first bought the car and noticed that the brakes were more than squishy, the steering more than unresponsive (heck it was like trying to round up cats), and the car bounced like a pack of kids in one of those inflatable rubber rooms; I knew that I had to do something.
Well I bought new wheels, replaced all the bushings in the car, put on rear-disc brakes, and change out the steering to a manual rack and pinion setup. That made a world of difference in the ride and driveability of the car. Though it had manual brakes and manual steering, it wasn't all that bad to drive. But I knew one day I would want something better, so I waited till I could switch out everything all at once instead of piece parting it here and there.
So enjoy me while I ramble about the good, bad, and the ugly about classic Mustang suspension and brakes.
Well I bought new wheels, replaced all the bushings in the car, put on rear-disc brakes, and change out the steering to a manual rack and pinion setup. That made a world of difference in the ride and driveability of the car. Though it had manual brakes and manual steering, it wasn't all that bad to drive. But I knew one day I would want something better, so I waited till I could switch out everything all at once instead of piece parting it here and there.
So enjoy me while I ramble about the good, bad, and the ugly about classic Mustang suspension and brakes.
Front Suspension - Shock towers Optional
Nothing is more devasting to the senerity of a nice long drive than turning the steering wheel one way, while the car drives the other. Or simply putting your foot on the brakes hopeing for a gentle stop, where no matter how hard you push, that red light just seems to keep coming at the same speed. Here I'll show you why I decided to go the route I am taking, and all the while making my car from boat on rough waters, to a rocket on rails.
Rear Suspension
Well now that we have the steering part figured out, we can now get to the business end of the car where the power reaches the road. There's nothing better than turning a dead dinosaur into a few g-forces on your face as the front end of the car lifts up a bit, and the rear wheels refuse to break loose from the ground; all the while your hoping that the car keeps going in a straight line.
Power Steering
This was an odd little assignment, but important never the less. I think the hardest thing about running the power steering system is finding fittings to fit the OEM pump and the aftermarket rack. I had to modify something to fit the OEM pump, but over all it came out great. That and it looks good compared to the original 1966 mustang power steering. Let's just say no more excessive play in the steering wheel.
Pedals with an Outback Twist
Well after an exceedly long waiting period I finally received my pedals from RRS. Not quite a "bolt-in" kit. But it does make for an very interesting and sound braking setup. Ahh, it's all finally coming together.
The Go-Go Pedal
Yep, the funniest thing to push in any car: The Gas Pedal. Well the original pedal just wouldn't work with the new wiz-bang electronics engine controls, so here with go again with how to fit something that was meant to go somewhere else. Click to find out how this little jewel came to rest in it's new home.
Primary Brakes
I actually love running custom fluid lines. Just something about the methodical measuring, bending, and flaring puts my mind at ease. That and once you're done it just looks so dang good. Anyways, here's how the fluid starts out at the reservoirs and end up at the wheel calipers. Yes, I did spend some cash on upgrades in this department. But it was all so worth it. Enjoy!!
When all else fails - Emergency Brakes
Also referred to as the "parking" brake. This little unsung hero is the last lever you ever hope to have to use. It's probably one of the simpliest systems in the car, but dang it, it's the most important one.
Wheels
This is probably the most customized to an owner parts of a car. Nothing can make a car look good, or look bad than a nice set of wheels. From 22" spinners, to classic Model T wire spokes, there are an endless range of these round chunks of metal. I figured I would dedicate a page to them and just how they look.
