1987 5.0 Mustang

Spiced · 01-18-2002, 03:08 PM

I'm new to this. I drive a 1987 5.0 Mustang convertible.

My biggest complaint is that it drives like a dump truck. I've taken the car to several mechanics and all have told me that there is nothing wrong. The shocks and tires have been checked.

Has anyone else had this problem or am I just getting old?

Mr 5 0 · 01-18-2002, 03:29 PM

Spiced:

Well, you have a 15-year-old (and rather heavy) Mustang and while the shocks and tires may be O.K., it was built as a 'performance' car with less 'give' to the suspension for better road feel and overall handling. Those factors, plus the weight and normal aging of the vehicle will certainly make for a harder ride than say, a Honda Accord.

Tire brands (and types) will make a difference in ride quality as will the spring rates. You may need new springs at this point, something worth checking. In any case, don't expect a soft ride from a Mustang of any age. It's part of the design to ride taut and firm.

Age (the car's - not your's) doesn't improve the ride, either.

1BAD89 · 01-18-2002, 05:54 PM

Spiced, where in oklahoma are you?

richs8750 · 01-18-2002, 09:37 PM

You are not alone ! My 87 LX rides so rough you can run over a cigarette and tell what brand it is! Yes I am older! 41 ,I only drive about 2500 to 3000 a year!

84LX89GT · 01-20-2002, 02:53 AM

If you felt like having it ride smoother but still handle stable you could try putting in 4 cylinder mustang springs. They're fairly soft, and i believe that the '93 Cobras came with the 4 cylinder springs and front strut cartriges (at least that's what it says in one of my mustang books) to have an easier more daily driving type feel to it. The 4 cylinder cars themselves have no rear sway bar, those soft springs and soft struts/shocks and a tiny front sway bar so they wallow all over the place.
I had an '83 zephyr (same as a fairmont.....originator of the mustang's "fox" chassis) and it had the stock springs (soft like a 2.3L mustang), but 5.0 mustang struts (pre '87 so it would fit the spindles) and rear shocks, mustang rear sway bar and stock front sway bar. That thing handled really well and have a very tame ride. The springs really soaked up bumps well and the stiffer control from the rear sway bar and struts/shocks made it feel really predictable and safe to drive (unlike the way it was stock).
The best thing is used 2.3L springs cost hardly anything (you can easily find some for $100 or less for all 4 springs at any wrecking yard) and compared to other alternatives and can actually ride like a luxury sports sedan instead of a pure sports car.
one thing that you may not like about the 4 cylinder springs is that i've heard that the front may sit 1/2" to maybe even 1" lower than stock, but that shouldn't have any serious impact on the wheel camber.

I hope you find a solution to your problem, keep us updated!

01-18-2002, 03:08 PM	#1
Spiced Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: OK Posts: 1	1987 5.0 Mustang I'm new to this. I drive a 1987 5.0 Mustang convertible. My biggest complaint is that it drives like a dump truck. I've taken the car to several mechanics and all have told me that there is nothing wrong. The shocks and tires have been checked. Has anyone else had this problem or am I just getting old?

01-18-2002, 03:29 PM	#2
Mr 5 0 Conservative Individualist Join Date: May 1997 Location: Wherever I need to be Posts: 7,487	Mustang ride quality Spiced: Well, you have a 15-year-old (and rather heavy) Mustang and while the shocks and tires may be O.K., it was built as a 'performance' car with less 'give' to the suspension for better road feel and overall handling. Those factors, plus the weight and normal aging of the vehicle will certainly make for a harder ride than say, a Honda Accord. Tire brands (and types) will make a difference in ride quality as will the spring rates. You may need new springs at this point, something worth checking. In any case, don't expect a soft ride from a Mustang of any age. It's part of the design to ride taut and firm. Age (the car's - not your's) doesn't improve the ride, either.

01-20-2002, 02:53 AM	#5
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	If you felt like having it ride smoother but still handle stable you could try putting in 4 cylinder mustang springs. They're fairly soft, and i believe that the '93 Cobras came with the 4 cylinder springs and front strut cartriges (at least that's what it says in one of my mustang books) to have an easier more daily driving type feel to it. The 4 cylinder cars themselves have no rear sway bar, those soft springs and soft struts/shocks and a tiny front sway bar so they wallow all over the place. I had an '83 zephyr (same as a fairmont.....originator of the mustang's "fox" chassis) and it had the stock springs (soft like a 2.3L mustang), but 5.0 mustang struts (pre '87 so it would fit the spindles) and rear shocks, mustang rear sway bar and stock front sway bar. That thing handled really well and have a very tame ride. The springs really soaked up bumps well and the stiffer control from the rear sway bar and struts/shocks made it feel really predictable and safe to drive (unlike the way it was stock). The best thing is used 2.3L springs cost hardly anything (you can easily find some for $100 or less for all 4 springs at any wrecking yard) and compared to other alternatives and can actually ride like a luxury sports sedan instead of a pure sports car. one thing that you may not like about the 4 cylinder springs is that i've heard that the front may sit 1/2" to maybe even 1" lower than stock, but that shouldn't have any serious impact on the wheel camber. I hope you find a solution to your problem, keep us updated! __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

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01-18-2002, 05:54 PM	#3
1BAD89 Tubbed and Juiced Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,861	Spiced, where in oklahoma are you?

01-18-2002, 09:37 PM	#4
richs8750 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: germantown,maryland USA Posts: 47	You are not alone ! My 87 LX rides so rough you can run over a cigarette and tell what brand it is! Yes I am older! 41 ,I only drive about 2500 to 3000 a year!