Fordmods Logo

XH XR8 Suspension 

 

Page 1 of 3 [ 43 posts ] Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

 
 Post subject: XH XR8 Suspension
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:33 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

G'day guys,

Alright, i've been having a few issues with the suspension on my ute, mainly the rear end and especially since the freshened up motor has been in.
First of all the tailshaft hits the floor under hard acceleration and over bumps etc, never used to do this with old motor. I suspect the extra weight of the new exhaust made matters worse.
Second, the rear end is very rough. Feels like theres no suspension at all, any slight bump is felt right through the drivers seat. I know because it is so low that this would be a major contributor to this, but i've seen XH's as low, if not lower, than mine and havent heard of any issues.
Third issue is traction and axle tramp. The axle tramp is not that excessive, i get a slight hint of it on the street but i'm getting ready for the motorplex next month and i know if i'm getting tramp on the street its gonna be twice as bad at the strip. But the traction issue is the biggest, launching off the mark is VERY hard to do without wheel spin. I have had two different types of 235/40/18's and now running 255/40/17's Potenza S03's with only bout 50% tread, these are better but still wont hold up.

So i went and seen the suspension joint i use today to see what they reckon. This is what they suggested for the whole car;
Bilstein front struts(adjustable)
Bilstein Rear shocks
Reset Rear leaves with rebound leaf
Rebush rear end with new shackles etc
All fitted with Full wheel alignment, camber/castor adjust etc.
PRICE = $1500

I'm happy with the sound of the set-up, sounds like its gonna do the job i want, the bloke was pretty confident in that. I like the bilstein struts and shocks aswell, very happy with the performance, a mate has full bilstein set-up in his AU 220 and it handles awesome.

What do you guys think? Good set-up? Good price? Do you think it's gonna solve all the problems? Any feed-back is appreciated.

Cheers Jeff

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:49 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 50

Posts: 2705

Joined: 6th Nov 2004

Gallery: 11 images

Ride: 2009 FG XR6 Sedan

Location: Melbourne
VIC, Australia

Firstly with the driveshaft hitting the floor you will need springs reset and maybe an extra leaf put in to stop the diff pulling up on the front under hard acceleration or insert wedges to tilt the diff forward but not exceeding 4deg pinion angle. Also ensure engine mounts and trans mounts are in good condition.
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 8:55 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

Cheers joolz, im pretty sure thats what he meant by adding the rebound leaf, he said that will control the twisting sort of action under hard acceleration and help the traction issue out.

ATM i'm running reset rear leaves and 1 1/2" blocks (had the leaves reset then went back at a later date and had the blocks fitted as it wasn't low enough :roll: ) and std shocks in the rear. The way we are gonna go its gonna remove the need of lowering blocks all together, which is what i want. You can see how its sitting in my avatar pic.

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:20 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 56

Posts: 6467

Joined: 18th Dec 2006

Ride: 93 ED sedan

Power: 161 rwkw

Location: Rockhampton
QLD, Australia

The lowering blocks give the diff a "lever" to twist the springs. Also, having low profile tyres wont help with traction, as there is no side wall give. How are the shockies??? they can help with axle tramp too.
Length of the footprint of tyre also gives traction.

 

_________________

http://youtu.be/jJTh9F3Vgg0

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:14 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

cjh wrote:
The lowering blocks give the diff a "lever" to twist the springs. Also, having low profile tyres wont help with traction, as there is no side wall give. How are the shockies??? they can help with axle tramp too.
Length of the footprint of tyre also gives traction.


I'm pretty sure the std shockies are rooted, especially being used for so long with the leaves set so low.
I will probly just run the strip first with my 18's with a decent tyre on them, then try something like a pair of 225/60/15's and see how i go.

What do you guys think about the price i've been given?

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:18 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 92

Posts: 1088

Joined: 30th Jan 2005

Gallery: 16 images

Ride: F350

Location: Brisbane
QLD, Australia

Throw away those stupid f**king blocks, you will be amazed at how much better it is.
Reset the leaves, blocks are dangerous, and s**t.
$1500 for Billies all round, with adjustable seats sounds extremely cheap to me......
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 10:35 pm 
Oompa Loompa
Offline

Posts: 20

Joined: 11th Nov 2004

Location: adelaide
SA, Australia

Its a ute , half a ton of sand in the back will kill both birds with one stone . On a serious note 15 inch tyres and play with pressures may help with your traction problems.
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:01 am 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

ELGT wrote:
Throw away those stupid f**king blocks, you will be amazed at how much better it is.
Reset the leaves, blocks are dangerous, and s**t.
$1500 for Billies all round, with adjustable seats sounds extremely cheap to me......


Yeah dont worry thats what i said above, one purpose of this is to remove the need of lowering blocks altogether. Leaves will be reset with the use of a reversed rebound spring.
The bilstein front struts have the adjustable seats, the rears are just fixed. I'll be booking it in tomorrow for later in the week, i was pretty happy with $1500 for the whole job, i've used them many times before and given them heaps of work through mates etc. And having you say its an excellent price makes it even more re-assuring.
Cheers

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 1:04 am 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

falc94 wrote:
Its a ute , half a ton of sand in the back will kill both birds with one stone . On a serious note 15 inch tyres and play with pressures may help with your traction problems.


Haha, dunno how a few bags of sand will go with helping my quarter mile times, im heavy enough as it is. I actually spoke to a mate tonight whos got some spare EB XR 15's with 90% 225's on them that i can use for the strip, What sort of pressure with that size tyre will work well? 28psi or so?

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:41 pm 
Stock as a Rock
Offline

Age: 35

Posts: 181

Joined: 3rd May 2007

Location: pinjarra
WA, Australia

depends what profile your useing but about 18/20psi 225/60 /15" for the strip
Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:42 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

Well guys its all booked in for Thursday, goin for the whole lot front and back. Thought i may aswell get it all over and done with.
Hopefully it'll get rid of the violent traction problem and finally give me a comfy ride again.

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:23 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 43

Posts: 948

Joined: 3rd Mar 2006

Gallery: 11 images

Ride: BA XR6 Ute

Location: Brisbane - Perth
QLD, Australia

Thats gotta put a hold up on the Paint job though, unlucky Jeff mate.

 

_________________

nascentes morimur

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:32 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 37

Posts: 2116

Joined: 13th Aug 2005

Gallery: 15 images

Ride: 1999 XHII XR8, 2002 AU Fairmont

Power: 236 rwkw

Location: Perth
WA, Australia

Gregg_13 wrote:
Thats gotta put a hold up on the Paint job though, unlucky Jeff mate.


Yeah i know its a bit of a PITA. Wouldnt really say unlucky though, i could have avoided doing it but i decided i'd rather have it handling well before i worry about making it look better. Its all about prioritising :wink: . At least i wont have to worry about suspension again, although a sway bar upgrade would be nice :lol:

 

_________________

STREETBUILT RACING
1999 XHII Falcon XR8 Ute 5.0L, TKO600 5spd, KB 2.1L Blower, 6.5psi, 12.2@113mph!!

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 10:59 pm 
Technical Contributor
Offline
User avatar

Age: 59

Posts: 5659

Joined: 14th Jan 2005

Gallery: 10 images

Ride: 96 XH/97 EL

Location: South Coast
NSW, Australia

XH5LWEPN wrote:
At least i wont have to worry about suspension again, although a sway bar upgrade would be nice :lol:
30mm front/20mm rear whitelines do work well.

 

_________________

96 XH Longreach 'S': LPG, Alarm, 3.23:1 LSD, Cruise, Trip Comp, ABS, Power Windows, Mid Series Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl
97 EL Futura S/W: LPG, Alarm, LED int Lts, Trip Comp, F/Lane Dome Lt, Climate Ctrl, T5 Conversion

Top
 Profile  
 
 
Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2007 11:14 pm 
Getting Side Ways
Offline
User avatar

Age: 43

Posts: 948

Joined: 3rd Mar 2006

Gallery: 11 images

Ride: BA XR6 Ute

Location: Brisbane - Perth
QLD, Australia

Whats the sway bar upgrade worth?

 

_________________

nascentes morimur

Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:
Sort by  
 Page 1 of 3  [ 43 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2, 3  Next

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 39 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

 

 

It is currently Fri Mar 29, 2024 6:39 pm All times are UTC + 11 hours

 

 

(c)2014 Total Web Solutions Australia - Australian Web Hosting and Domain Names