After tracking my car for 4+ years on the hopes that the FR500S setup (control arms and tie rod ends) had OK bump steer settings, and not having any issues up to that point, I was going through the car before a track day and found a loose ball joint. (Of course it was the Monday before a track weekend, but that's another story...)
So on went the Steeda tall ball joints and bump steer kit, with the typical "That looks pretty good" bump steer adjustment with a bit of reference from other Mustangs at the track.
Well after one weekend on my new R1 tires and some funny tire wear, I decided to dig in and set the bump steer the right way. (Thanks to Fabman here...)
Here is a picture of my setup for checking the bump steer (without the spring installed, sway bar disconnected), and my before and after on my bump steer adjustments.
For reference 1.5 inches of compression is the static height of my car.
Before: .7 inch of spacers on top (This was the "guess" setting)
Inches compressed from full droop:
1.0 - +1/4 toe out
1.5 - +1/16 toe out
2.0 - +1/16 toe out
2.5 - +1/16 toe out
3.0 - + 0
So in total that is 5/16 of toe out bump steer from full droop to 3 inches compressed! And what was worse was the 3/16 from 1.5 (static height) to 2.5 compressed. Ouch! No wonder my tires were wearing funny.
Here is what I settled on after measuring .5 inch spacer, .3 inch and .1 inch.
After: .3 inch spacer on top of the rod end
1.0 - +1/16 toe out
1.5 - +1/16 toe out
2.0 - +1/16 toe out
2.5 - 0
3.0 - 0
3.5 - 0
My question is, from the pictures, anyone see anything terribly wrong with my setup? I know it isn't a Longacre bump steer gauge, but it was one of my own making. ($5 of aluminum and a $6 laser pointer.) I want to think that the numbers don't lie, but the setting has the tie rod end so much higher than all the other kids cars, I wanted to get some feedback here. I am totally sold on the process. Very worth the time. (Although I am one of those guys that thought it was fun...)
Thanks

So on went the Steeda tall ball joints and bump steer kit, with the typical "That looks pretty good" bump steer adjustment with a bit of reference from other Mustangs at the track.
Well after one weekend on my new R1 tires and some funny tire wear, I decided to dig in and set the bump steer the right way. (Thanks to Fabman here...)
Here is a picture of my setup for checking the bump steer (without the spring installed, sway bar disconnected), and my before and after on my bump steer adjustments.
For reference 1.5 inches of compression is the static height of my car.
Before: .7 inch of spacers on top (This was the "guess" setting)
Inches compressed from full droop:
1.0 - +1/4 toe out
1.5 - +1/16 toe out
2.0 - +1/16 toe out
2.5 - +1/16 toe out
3.0 - + 0
So in total that is 5/16 of toe out bump steer from full droop to 3 inches compressed! And what was worse was the 3/16 from 1.5 (static height) to 2.5 compressed. Ouch! No wonder my tires were wearing funny.
Here is what I settled on after measuring .5 inch spacer, .3 inch and .1 inch.
After: .3 inch spacer on top of the rod end
1.0 - +1/16 toe out
1.5 - +1/16 toe out
2.0 - +1/16 toe out
2.5 - 0
3.0 - 0
3.5 - 0
My question is, from the pictures, anyone see anything terribly wrong with my setup? I know it isn't a Longacre bump steer gauge, but it was one of my own making. ($5 of aluminum and a $6 laser pointer.) I want to think that the numbers don't lie, but the setting has the tie rod end so much higher than all the other kids cars, I wanted to get some feedback here. I am totally sold on the process. Very worth the time. (Although I am one of those guys that thought it was fun...)
Thanks


