Shocks or What? Car Help

[Guest Philosophy]

So I have a 1995 Mustang, it is super strong it has a 5.0L, but it pulls very slightley to the right, and the ride is very bumpy (More so than when I bought it, 2 weeks ago). Ideas of what may be wrong?

[thekeemo]

stiff suspension is normal for a 'sport car*" not to mention you came from a comfy lumina

maybe you need an alignment?

 

*that car doesnt deserve to be called a sport car

[brokencross]

Not a specialist on the matter, brah, but could be a simple wheel misalignment. 

[Guest Philosophy]

Not a specialist on the matter, brah, but could be a simple wheel misalignment. 

The pulling is probably that for sure, I could probably have em check my car out when I get that done. 

[Prastupok]

The pulling is probably that for sure, I could probably have em check my car out when I get that done. 

 

Caster angle, most likely.

[techswede]

1. Walk around the car a few times and try to push down the suspension on all four corners. (Any noticable difference?)

2. If not. Get the car up so you can rotate the tires. (Any sticking, Grinding, Scraping?)

3. Visually inspect the shocks

4. Have an alignment shop look at it if all else fails.

[brokencross]

The pulling is probably that for sure, I could probably have em check my car out when I get that done. 

Yep. As for the bumpiness, could be the dampers.

[Aphexx]

a quick test for blown shocks is to push down on the car and watch it bounce. if it bounces a lot then its blown. it should probably bounce 2-3 times and come to a stop

[wolfgang]

Does it pull to the right all the time? Or just when doing something like breaking? Could also be alignment related.

If you want a really smooth ride then sell the car. How rough is the road the it feels bumpy on?

[bob345]

first thing to do is to get an alignment. The toe on each side is probably off which is causing the pulling. If it is suspension related it could be a blown shock. A good way to test this is to press down on each corner of the car and let go. If it comes back up and does not bounce, that means the shock is probably good and has some life left in it, if it bounces at all, that means the shock is blown and is not damping anything.

[QueenDemetria]

Yeah, your car just needs an alignment to fix the pulling issue. For me, as long as its not pulling hard its not worth taking it in for an alignment(so right now my Camaro pulls to the right, but its not an issue. Before my alignment when I bought it, it damn near pulled you into the ditch lol). As for the suspension, its pretty typical for a 90's and back to feel rough. You can upgrade the suspension with todays "low end" stuff and it will smooth things out since technology has gotten better over the years.

[Guest Philosophy]

Does it pull to the right all the time? Or just when doing something like breaking? Could also be alignment related.

If you want a really smooth ride then sell the car. How rough is the road the it feels bumpy on?

It pulls to the right VERY slightly all the time. It would probably take 1/4 Mile to cross a lane at the pull rate though. The road it feels bumpy on is a bone stock road, just average. 

[Prastupok]

It pulls to the right VERY slightly all the time. It would probably take 1/4 Mile to cross a lane at the pull rate though. The road it feels bumpy on is a bone stock road, just average. 

 

When you take her in for alignment, make sure they compensate for the road's crown.

[MrYuriy]

Cars? Is this really a thread about cars?

 

Even if there was a car expert here...

 

.....You do realize you're talking to a bunch of geeks & nerds, right?

 

Maybe a car forum? Or.. Local? Better yet..

Google will answer your question, I promise.. She knows the world.

[bob345]

When you take her in for alignment, make sure they compensate for the road's crown.

Not a good idea. Doing that will cause uneven tire wear. replacing tires is much more expensive than getting a proper alignment. Camber, toe, and caster should be mirrored on bot sides of the car.

[techswede]

Cars? Is this really a thread about cars?

 

Even if there was a car expert here...

 

.....You do realize you're talking to a bunch of geeks & nerds, right?

 

Google will answer your question, I promise.. It knows the world.

 

... *Cough* http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/274320-the-long-awaited-car-thread/*Cough*

[Guest Philosophy]

Cars? Is this really a thread about cars?

 

Even if there was a car expert here...

 

.....You do realize you're talking to a bunch of geeks & nerds, right?

 

Maybe a car forum? Or.. Local? Better yet..

Google will answer your question, I promise.. She knows the world.

You have no clue who is on here do you..

[Aniallation]

Cars? Is this really a thread about cars?

 

Even if there was a car expert here...

 

.....You do realize you're talking to a bunch of geeks & nerds, right?

 

Maybe a car forum? Or.. Local? Better yet..

Google will answer your question, I promise.. She knows the world.

Clueless

[bob345]

... *Cough* http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/274320-the-long-awaited-car-thread/*Cough*

beat me to it. There are allot more car guys on here than most would think

[wolfgang]

It pulls to the right VERY slightly all the time. It would probably take 1/4 Mile to cross a lane at the pull rate though. The road it feels bumpy on is a bone stock road, just average.

Sounds like alignment. I would do as @techswede said and check all corners first if you can. But I wouldnt worry after that. My el camino had the wheel at a 20 degree angle for years.

Bumpy could possibly be a tire balance issue. Its bumpy not bouncy right?

[MrYuriy]

You guys are joking right?

 

Because I couldn't make it more obvious that I was dudes!..

 

Although I must admit.. I didn't know about that 376 page car thread.. Pretty cool.

And obviously, LTT = Highest IQ Level site on the internet.. Only person who knows more than us is, again.. Google.

[Guest Philosophy]

Sounds like alignment. I would do as @techswede said and check all corners first if you can. But I wouldnt worry after that. My el camino had the wheel at a 20 degree angle for years.

Bumpy could possibly be a tire balance issue. Its bumpy not bouncy right?

Bump, not bouncy!

[Prastupok]

Not a good idea. Doing that will cause uneven tire wear. replacing tires is much more expensive than getting a proper alignment. Camber, toe, and caster should be mirrored on bot sides of the car.

 

As a general rule, they usually do allow more pull off the side. It's how most, if not all shops DO alignments

[EcoBoost]

Could be alignment or tires. My CR-V is perfectly fine with my summer tires, but with the winters on, it noticeably pulls to the right when I let go of the wheel on non-snowy roads, it also shakes like hell too (lol rip balancing). Maybe I shouldn't have cheaped out on winter tires...

 

You guys are joking right?

 

Because I couldn't make it more obvious that I was dudes!..

There's even car-savvy girls here tmyk

[wolfgang]

Bump, not bouncy!

If you do go get an alignment I would see about having the tires balanced while you are there.