86 SVO 1C Project [Archive]

JTurbo

11-06-2013, 03:58 PM

Car started feeling "squirrely" on straightaways. The steering was replaced when I bought the car many moons ago and everything still feels tight (<40k miles on the rack, inner/outer tie rods, new steering shaft/rag joint). The car has just turned 130k miles. So I'm going in:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3821a_zps5db5e312.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3821a_zps5db5e312.jpg.html)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3822a_zps59e2ec58.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3822a_zps59e2ec58.jpg.html)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3824a_zps5313950e.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3824a_zps5313950e.jpg.html)

This car seems to spend a lot of time in this position (up on jack stands :( ):
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3826a_zps67d2a355.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3826a_zps67d2a355.jpg.html)

rodster

11-06-2013, 08:07 PM

I'll be watching.....my 84 will be getting a total suspension rebuild among other things. :D

TheSVOTrust

11-07-2013, 05:42 AM

Great to see this here Joe ! (we know you love SVO's)
Make sure you let us know what you find.

Mark
P.S. Great talking to you - I "see a article in the making" !!

JTurbo

11-11-2013, 06:34 PM

Great to see this here Joe ! (we know you love SVO's)
Make sure you let us know what you find.

Mark
P.S. Great talking to you - I "see a article in the making" !!
Thanks Mark, I have a love-hate relationship with my SVO. When it's running/driving I love it. When it's down for repairs I hate it...

A-arms and the ball joints are in the machine shop. Hope to have an update later this week.....

JT

JTurbo

11-12-2013, 10:11 AM

Well, the initial ball joints I purchased won't work. They fit the taper of the spindle, but the body of the ball joint is too big (diameter) for use, too much material would have to be removed from the a-arm cup. So I'm going with a set of SN-95 ball joints with the MM adapters. Adapters ordered today, prob wont have any update until after the adapters arrive.

So the question du-jour is this: can the standard SN-95 ball joints be used or do I have to use the X2 style ball joints? It looks like the standard ones will work, but I'm not 100% sure if the X2's are required due to the extra height? Anyone have advice based on real-world experience???

JTurbo

11-12-2013, 10:21 AM

Here is a comparison between the X2 (lf) and the standard SN-95 (rt) ball joints (courtesy of Summit Racing on-line catalog).
5605

Ford Builder

11-12-2013, 03:08 PM

I know someone that has NOS lower control arms $ 500 will take them home.

JTurbo

11-12-2013, 06:13 PM

I know someone that has NOS lower control arms $ 500 will take them home.
Thanks, but this is a driver and I'm trying to get it back on the road for the least amount of $$. Besides, if I ever put anything NOS on this car it will probably go up in flames in total revolt....
:avataraFu_BangingYo

JTurbo

11-12-2013, 06:40 PM

So here is where I'm at, both LCA's have been gutted of the original ball joints:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3884a_zps7f146aa7.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3884a_zps7f146aa7.jpg.html)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3883a_zpsae716b29.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3883a_zpsae716b29.jpg.html)

So I originally ordered a set of ball joints for a Lincoln. However the the guy in the machine shop is concerned with amount of material that has to be removed from the LCA in order to fit this ball joint. After looking at it with him today, I tend to agree. Here is a comparison between the Lincoln and SN95 diameters:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3893a_zpsdf491381.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3893a_zpsdf491381.jpg.html)

This sort of sucks because the Lincoln BJ has the correct taper and height. Here is the original ball joint in the spindle:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3897a_zps299d0ec5.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3897a_zps299d0ec5.jpg.html)
versus the Lincoln:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3899a_zps2b684bbb.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3899a_zps2b684bbb.jpg.html)

So I'm going with the SN95 since the body of the ball joint is noticeably smaller in diameter, hence we'll be able to leave more material on the LCA cup when it's bored out for the new ball joint.

JTurbo

11-12-2013, 06:41 PM

And here is a quick comparison to the 3 ball joints I have on hand from LF to RT are SN95 / Lincoln / Stock:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3889a_zpsd028f784.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3889a_zpsd028f784.jpg.html)
Another pic:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3891a_zps2205aa5e.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3891a_zps2205aa5e.jpg.html)

So from this quick comparison, it looks like I can get away with the standard SN95 ball joint instead of the X2 version. I ordered the Maximum Motorsports adapters today, ETA to me is Nov 19th. So I won't have an update until after that (no further machining of the LCA until after I get the adapters)

rodster

11-12-2013, 08:10 PM

Great info Joe. :like3:

I'm with you on NOS parts on a driver....that's where I'm at too. This car will have 'patina' and character...assuming I ever get it back on the road! ;)

Many moons back, someone on the west coast was doing the LCA like you are. I wonder what ball joint they used? I do recall the issue of removing too much material and that dilemma (which is why I contacted Fatman to have tubular LCA's built.)

Good luck and thanks for keeping us posted.

Ford Builder

11-12-2013, 08:11 PM

Good luck!

JTurbo

11-19-2013, 07:49 PM

Adapters came in today. Here are a few pics comparing the fitment.
First pic is the stock ball joint:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3897a_zps299d0ec5.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3897a_zps299d0ec5.jpg.html)
Next up the Lincoln ball joint that I've already returned:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3899a_zps2b684bbb.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3899a_zps2b684bbb.jpg.html)
SN-95 with the MM adapter sleeve:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3923a_zps8a389e9b.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3923a_zps8a389e9b.jpg.html)

JTurbo

11-23-2013, 11:53 AM

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3925a_zpscf9d124b.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3925a_zpscf9d124b.jpg.html)
Picked up the final product yesterday:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3926a_zps73ed276a.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3926a_zps73ed276a.jpg.html)
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3927a_zps1be2b57f.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3927a_zps1be2b57f.jpg.html)

Had to go get an air impact gun today because the castle nuts on the old ball joints are now locking nuts on the new ball joints....

rodster

11-24-2013, 09:29 AM

Looks good! I never noticed before but it looks like the ball joint hole is a bit offset on the bottom. Less material on the outside. I'll have to go look at my LCA's.

I'm pretty clueless about machine work, how was it done? Looks like quality work. Still cost effective with the machine work?

Thanks for the update...

SVO4PWR2

11-24-2013, 10:26 AM

LOL you typed

BJ hole

thats all :3stooges:

-RICH-

JTurbo

11-24-2013, 03:07 PM

All buttoned up:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3942a_zps068af4bc.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3942a_zps068af4bc.jpg.html)
And back down on the ground!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3945a_zps615c462a.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_3945a_zps615c462a.jpg.html)

JTurbo

11-24-2013, 03:13 PM

Looks good! I never noticed before but it looks like the BJ hole is a bit offset on the bottom. Less material on the outside. I'll have to go look at my LCA's.

I'm pretty clueless about machine work, how was it done? Looks like quality work. Still cost effective with the machine work?

Thanks for the update...

The machine work was done on a Bridgeport CNC. A special cutting bit was used to bore out the hole. One of the challenges was physically holding down the a-arm since it is not symmetric or even. The top surface of the old ball joint (as seen in the first pic in post #9 above) was used as the reference since this was a machined surface when the a-arms were originally manufactured. Everything was squared up from there.

The final bore hole was slightly off-center, but close enough for government work....

No test drive, too cold today and there were a few snow showers over night, so the local road crews were out spreading their sand/salt mixture. I'm hoping it will warm up and we get a good rain shower to clean the roads up a bit so I can take it for a test drive....

rodster

11-24-2013, 04:03 PM

LOL you typed

thats all :3stooges:

-RICH-

No I didn't. :p

;)

MikeFleming

11-24-2013, 04:14 PM

Looking good Joe.

Nice work and thanks for sharing.

rodster

11-24-2013, 04:46 PM

The machine work was done on a Bridgeport CNC. A special cutting bit was used to bore out the hole. One of the challenges was physically holding down the a-arm since it is not symmetric or even. The top surface of the old ball joint (as seen in the first pic in post #9 above) was used as the reference since this was a machined surface when the a-arms were originally manufactured. Everything was squared up from there.

The final bore hole was slightly off-center, but close enough for government work....

No test drive, too cold today and there were a few snow showers over night, so the local road crews were out spreacing their sand/salt mixture. I'm hoping it will warm up and we get a good rain shower to clean the roads up a bit so I can take it for a test drive....

Looks good! :like2:

Thanks for the info, I figured it might have been a bit of a challenge. How did the original ball joint come out? Just pressed out from the top?

I always knew the LCA didn't have a replaceable ball joint but didn't fully understand why and never really understood these LCA's :confused: Is it because there was not a Ford replacement ball joint or because of the way the ball joint was installed.

Snow/salt already?? yuk.

Keep us posted when you get a change to take it for a spin. Even though I have the Fatman LCA's I may want to do the same thing just in case I ever want to go back to stock.

JTurbo

11-25-2013, 01:48 PM

Looks good! :like2:

Thanks for the info, I figured it might have been a bit of a challenge. How did the original ball joint come out? Just pressed out from the top?

I always knew the LCA didn't have a replaceable ball joint but didn't fully understand why and never really understood these LCA's :confused: Is it because there was not a Ford replacement ball joint or because of the way the ball joint was installed.

Snow/salt already?? yuk.

Keep us posted when you get a change to take it for a spin. Even though I have the Fatman LCA's I may want to do the same thing just in case I ever want to go back to stock.
Thanks - the original ball joint assembly was inserted from the bottom. Then the cover plate (with the wear indicator) was installed and the forged metal was pressed over to keep all the contents inside. So the bottom side of the LCA needs to be milled just to get the guts out....

The LCA was evidential a "throw-away" part back in the 80's (maybe that's where all the chineese crap got the idea from???) :)

Yup, salt already - we had some lake effect overnight into Sun AM. Everything had a light coating....

JT

rodster

11-25-2013, 06:52 PM

Thanks for the info. Yea, throw away parts, brilliant idea.:mad: Probably from the same designers that decided to eliminate the panel on the firewall allowing the heater core to be changed in minutes!

JTurbo

12-01-2013, 06:38 PM

I finally had a few minutes to take the SVO out today for a test drive. Definitely worth the effort. The car drives beautiful and feels amazingly tight compared what I was used to. Took it up over 70 on some straight sections of a back road near me and my SVO went straight as a arrow with no issues of the car feeling like it wanted to dart or wander any longer. Mission accomplished!

Come on spring......

JT

Ford Builder

12-01-2013, 07:05 PM

Thats great to hear glad that it all came together for you.

k98dave

12-01-2013, 08:50 PM

"the original ball joint assembly was inserted from the bottom. Then the cover plate (with the wear indicator) was installed and the forged metal was pressed over to keep all the contents inside. So the bottom side of the LCA needs to be milled just to get the guts out...."

Nice work, so now that this machine shop you used has figured it out will they (or you) be going to start rebuilding the LCA's? I would guess there would be customers.
I have a spare set of LCA myself that I would have them rework.

JTurbo

12-02-2013, 05:46 AM

Well..... The machine shop that did these is actually here at my work. So this was a "skunk works" sort of project as a favor to me. I've mentioned to the guy in the shop about doing more and he hasn't warmed up to the idea, yet. I know from FB that there are a few other people looking for this as well. I'll have to dig into it a bit more to see....

JT

JTurbo

12-02-2013, 05:48 AM

Oh, BTW - here is a quick pic that I snapped yesterday afternoon during my test drive. The car looks a bit distorted, but probably due to me trying to get the church in the background....
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_4030a_zps81567f2f.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_4030a_zps81567f2f.jpg.html)

rodster

12-02-2013, 06:43 PM

JTurbo

12-02-2013, 07:22 PM

Thanks Rod!!

MikeFleming

12-03-2013, 11:50 AM

Nice work Joe!!

Thanks for sharing pics and details!

JTurbo

06-22-2014, 05:17 PM

Car has been running hot (upper side of the normal range), even though the ambient temps aren't all that warm. Replaced the WP and thermostat a while back. So I replaced the rad and added new coolant. Seems happier now....
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_5161a_zps10127fd1.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_5161a_zps10127fd1.jpg.html)
After a road test earlier this afternoon:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s226/jturbo1014/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_5173a_zpscc12d2fe.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/jturbo1014/media/86%20Mustang%20SVO/IMG_5173a_zpscc12d2fe.jpg.html)

JT

k98dave

06-23-2014, 07:38 PM

JTurbo

06-24-2014, 04:38 AM

So whats the latest on the LCA Ball Joint rework, will the shop you use be doing any others ?

So far, mine is the only set he has done.

rodster

07-01-2014, 04:52 AM

JTurbo

07-01-2014, 06:32 AM

Would have been easier just to 'adjust' the temp gauge needle. ;)

Glad to hear things are cool now. :)

Haha, thanks Rod - I had to "adjust" the speedo needle on the white SVO after Carlisle....

Driving the black SVO yesterday (with the AC blowing cold), the car never went above mid range on the temp gauge. Ambient in the mid to upper 80's and creeping higher today / tomorrow.
:like2: