Thread: Mustang II narrowed control arms

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Originally Posted by Henry Rifle

Have you thought about moving the mounting hole for the lower A-arm inboard 3/4" rather than shortening the arm? That way, both arms stay at stock length, and you're just moving the whole assembly inboard.

When you start messing with the control arm pivot points, the inner tie rod ends on the steering rack won't be compatible with your front end geometry. As the suspension moves up and down, the arc that the outer tie rod ends move will be different than the arc at the steering arms, so you'll be forcing the toe-in to change . . . and you'll have the dreaded "bump-steer".

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Roy

When you start messing with the control arm pivot points, the inner tie rod ends on the steering rack won't be compatible with your front end geometry. As the suspension moves up and down, the arc that the outer tie rod ends move will be different than the arc at the steering arms, so you'll be forcing the toe-in to change . . . and you'll have the dreaded "bump-steer".

I do know that on my 48 F1 pu the width is a litte wider then stock mustang II and the rack has rack extenders to make up the differance NOT longer tie rods. I believe that is to resove the bump steer problem, which I do not have. Works great.

Originally Posted by Hot Rod Roy

When you start messing with the control arm pivot points, the inner tie rod ends on the steering rack won't be compatible with your front end geometry. As the suspension moves up and down, the arc that the outer tie rod ends move will be different than the arc at the steering arms, so you'll be forcing the toe-in to change . . . and you'll have the dreaded "bump-steer".

In theory, you're correct. However, I'll repeat what I said above:

With the very limited travel most street rods have, I don't see a problem. This is not just conjecture. I shortend the upper A-arms on my '30 A-bone by an inch, and moved the lower ones inboard an inch. I saw NO problem with steering, no bump steer, no wandering, no effect at all. Interstate, city streets, drag strip (at 119 mph) . . . drove like a go-kart.