Found the noise...

[Wiked03]

Only the third time out on the solid...

Started hearing a strange noise on the launch, so I quit making passes.

Noise got worse on the way home... I would hear/feel a thud when moving from a dead stop. Finally took the time to look under the car and found this.

Driver's side

Passenger side

Not sure what caused this, or what do do about it....

Gonna call Hans about it tomorrow... but I figured I would post up here to see if anyone has any ideas.

Click to read more...

 

[rdsnake]

YIKES! looks like you ripped out the troque boxes, not good, if this is the problem you have to cut it out and weld a new one in. It's kinda like redoing a really old car, you know cutting out the floor boards and such. very not cool. I belive, a co. called "wild rides" I belive sells new stronger torque boxes.

 

[rdsnake]

Here you go Carl, Sorry about the bad news, if it isn't one thing, it's another.

http://www.mustang50magazine.com/howto/35618/

http://www.wildridesracecars.com/newstuff.html

 

[01Sleeper]

Only the third time out on the solid...

Started hearing a strange noise on the launch, so I quit making passes.

Noise got worse on the way home... I would hear/feel a thud when moving from a dead stop. Finally took the time to look under the car and found this.

Driver's side

Passenger side

Not sure what caused this, or what do do about it....

Gonna call Hans about it tomorrow... but I figured I would post up here to see if anyone has any ideas.

Thats not good, it definately didn't sound good the ride home either. Good luck with the fix

 

[SLASH]

ummm, hans is a little tied up right now...please leave a message after the beep...









beep...




j/k

dont look that bad...im sure that hans will hook you right up carl!!

 

[hj16]

Did it tear out the box or just maul the bushing? Its hard to tell. Im praying its just the bushing

 

[The Pun]

Dude, that looks like it is gonna suck to get fixed.

But you got the right guy doing it. :biggthump

 

[sschassis]

:burnout: don't look like the box are riped if the holes are long gate weld washer on out side the box & recommend weld with tig welder so does not desires the Mattel around the weld ... & I recommend to install matco suspension,

 

[Wiked03]

Did it tear out the box or just maul the bushing? Its hard to tell. Im praying its just the bushing

I am certainly no expert, but it doesn't look like anything ripped.... the only obvious damage I can see is the bushings.

 

[zenriddles]

Looks like you just crushed out the bushing. Looks like run of the mill Energy Suspension Bushing material - should be easy enough to locate and replace. Replacing looks as hard as getting the bolt out, snapping in new bushings, and putting the bolt back in.
Two thoughts - If it did it once, chances are good it can do it again. You probably need a tougher material in there to match your driving style. Second, I'd consider changing the bushings on both sides of the car - i.e. both arms, both ends of each arm.

 

[blubyu]

Nothing a big hammer won't fix!!

 

[Flyn]

If the torque boxes are OK, you may want to weld them to strengthen them to help prevent further problems. I'm not sure exactly how to do it but I've skimmed an article or two on that subject.

 

[JA$ON]

Looks like its just the bushing to me...those are crap, been there done that with mine, pick up a set of these UPR's or some other kind with the rod ends (heim joints) and never worry about em again.Weld the stock boxes, install TQ box plates, and use a strong UCA=good for life :biggthump

I would also encourage a set of TQ box reinforcements, like these below from UMI, so those new, strong UCAs dont rip the damn boxes out of the car.

This is the kind of shit that starts to happen when you 60' in the 1.5's and lower, parts start dying on you

 

[cap42]

Carl it does look like the boxes are fine from these pics, just looks like you destroyed the bushings and possibly the control arm ends. Depending on how you want your street manors you could upgrade to the solid bushing metco's but you'll definetly need the torque boxes welded to prevent ripping them out. Otherwise you can go with the same style you currently have and have this happen again down the road.

 

[Wiked03]

Carl it does look like the boxes are fine from these pics, just looks like you destroyed the bushings and possibly the control arm ends. Depending on how you want your street manors you could upgrade to the solid bushing metco's but you'll definetly need the torque boxes welded to prevent ripping them out. Otherwise you can go with the same style you currently have and have this happen again down the road.

The control arms look ok to me, but it hard to tell with them in the car.

Assuming the control arms are still ok, can I just put some solid bushings in there, or do I really have to replace the whole control arm? Those are the Steeda HD adjustable Uppers, they are supposed to be pretty stout. So I would rather not replace them.



And yes, the TQ boxes will be reinforced & welded at the same time.


Thanks for all the help guys!

Even with the problems, I was still able to cut a 1.58 :headbang:

 

[cap42]

Not sure if the steeda's will accept a solid bushing, it will be alot easier to replace the urethane bushings with another set of urethane. But going with a solid bushing will take more abuse at the track, just be prepared to have a much harsher ride.

Once those bushing's start ripping and tearing out of their seat like in your pic (specially pic #2), your hitting metal on metal it's possible there's no damage to the control arm but not likely.

Good luck either way buddy. :biggthump

 

[JA$ON]

Carl, when you say a solid bushing, do you mean having some aluminum ones made up to put in there? In my experience and findings is that you are better off with a spherical rod end type control arm because it will allow the control arm to articulate and not bind up.

The problem with a solid bushing is that yes, it is strong, but it doesnt allow the suspension to move like it needs to, and this causes binding, which in turn damages parts.

If it were me, I'd call Steeda to see if they could send you the rod ends to your UCA's since the arms are like 3 separate pieces anyways.

After what my bushings and UCAs looked like just a week ago, I wouldnt put another bushing in there because at your rate, it wont last long :biggthump

I lost absolutely no ride quality when I put in those UPR UCA's by the way, but my car doesnt ride like a Cadillac to begin with..... hope this helps

 

[Wiked03]

LOL Jason, I am not even sure what I meant. :lmao:

Ok, thanks guys... I will call Steeda and see if they can get me the spherical rod ends.

Yeah I won't be going back to the urethane bushings.... It only took 12 passes for them to be destroyed.

 

[Pressure Ratio]

Wow that sucks. Looks like it was a bad day for a few of us. Your bushings, Angel ripping out his torque box and my clutch went. At least you guys were able to get home with out paying for a tow.

Jayson is right you might want to look into the rod ends for your car if you plan on beating on it like that. lol Steeda has real good customer service. I bet they will hook you up. I have been using and installing there stuff for years. With the couple of issues I had they were happy to make them right. Good luck!

 

[Wiked03]

Just talked to Steeda... and they were very helpful.

Basically I was told this happened because we greased the bushing, they said they should not be greased at all.... makes me wonder why they have a damn zerk fitting on there then!

They are replacing the bushings for me though... should have them soon.

Unfortunately you can't upgrade to the spherical ends because they require a different control arm.

In the interest of keeping it cheap, I am just gonna replace the bushings, with no grease this time, and see if that solves the problem. If not, I will pick up those UPR control arms.

Thanks again for all the help/suggestions guys!

 

[Flyn]

Just talked to Steeda... and they were very helpful.

Basically I was told this happened because we greased the bushing, they said they should not be greased at all.... makes me wonder why they have a damn zerk fitting on there then!

They are replacing the bushings for me though... should have them soon.

Unfortunately you can't upgrade to the spherical ends because they require a different control arm.

In the interest of keeping it cheap, I am just gonna replace the bushings, with no grease this time, and see if that solves the problem. If not, I will pick up those UPR control arms.

Thanks again for all the help/suggestions guys!

Let us know if the replacements hold up any better without the grease.

 

[gnxs]

As you know Carl I have the same ones and they've held up fine so far (with no grease I assume).

 

[Wiked03]

As you know Carl I have the same ones and they've held up fine so far (with no grease I assume).

Yep thats why I bought them originally and why I am willing to give the bushings one more shot. :biggthump

I just hope the control arms aren't damaged.

 

[gnxs]

Yep thats why I bought them originally and why I am willing to give the bushings one more shot. :biggthump

I just hope the control arms aren't damaged.

Good to hear that Steeda was responsive. :biggthump

 

[zenriddles]

Basically I was told this happened because we greased the bushing, they said they should not be greased at all.... makes me wonder why they have a damn zerk fitting on there then!

I actually put that in my post based on past experiences with urethane bushings, but then removed it before sending when I saw the zerks in your pix plain as day. Wonder if that is a multi-use arm end for them and they have OTHER applications which might require the grease fittings?