Looser than a Christmas goose

[Bozowolf]

OK sports fans here we go. My '05 is handling like a Radio Flyer Wagon with 4 loose wheels. I can hold on to her doing 70 but any faster makes chocolate colored streaks appear in my tighty whiteys!

She has never had an alignment. She really could use new shocks, that much I know. She's got 92+K on the odometer.

I've lurked around at ADTR and CrownVic.net and found that there is still a company making custom "sporty" springs for the Panther and, I am considering those when I can afford to get them and the shocks/struts (whichever/whatever they're called) at nearly the same time.

What else do I need to look into? Bushings? Anyone where I can get squeakys (my code name for Urethane) ?

I know this Panther will NEVER out handle a Prancing Pony Ferrari but, a little less body roll would be nice.

[Piece-it pete]

I've been getting parts together for a suspension overhaul on my 03. I'm going with cop KYB Gas A Justs front and rear.

I couldn't find a source for poly front bushings either. If springs and shocks are on the menu then new front strut cushions (I'd prefer Motorcraft but they're a fortune, I'm using Monroe 907945s) and top strut bushings (I'm using KYB SM5382). There's rear shock bushings too (Motorcraft AD1026).

I also plan to swap both sway bars with cop units and use greaseable poly sway bar bushings. I expect a large improvement from it! I'll bet this is the single most cost effective upgrade. I hope

The aftermarket rear control arms and watts link are supposed to be awesome. Someday maybe.

Good luck! Fun.

Pete

[SVT98t]

You can get urethane bushings from Energy Suspension.
Also, Eaton makes springs for the Panthers. stock, 1" and 1.5" drop springs as well.
I am going with KYB Gas-A-Justs as well.

Word.

-ryan s.

[sly]

actually, the replacement Duralast bushings are poly now (or some damn nice rubber... much denser than original types were when new). Energy suspension makes bushing kits, but you need to re-use the shells, so removal of the entire control arm and burning or pressing out the old rubber is required. If the rear of your car is moving side to side excessively, check the watts link stud at the pumpkin. If that broke, nothing will help without fixing that. ADTR did a hardened stud buy from ARP and may have some left (but it's spendy) and it won't (read: shouldn't) break even with an aftermarket watts link.

[Piece-it pete]

I can't find poly bushings for a 03+ on Energys' site - sure they make them for these lcas?



Pete

[johnunit]

Something is wrong. My worn-suspension 85, with the aero of a brick and no rear sway bar on 70 sidewall tires was stable at 90+. I think you're looking at repairs, not upgrades if it's sketchy at speed.

[sly]

bad shocks will make even good suspension feel like the most dangerous car on the road. I'd fix that first and then see if anything else needs done while I was doing that.

[sly]

just looked up the bushings for the 05... and yeah... ES does NOT have those. It looks like you're going to have to get OE replacements or just live with what's on there. Though, truthfully, I'd be surprised if the bushings are actually bad on an 05 without having 200+K miles on it. If the shocks are bouncy, replace those with some quality shocks and I would wager you'd be good to go.

[Logman55]

have you checked out the steering? i just had to replace the steering gearbox on my 01 GM with 145K miles

[88grandmarq]

2003 and newer Panther chassis cars have rack and pinion steering.