front end geometry - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-09-2003, 20:12

Ive read in numerous amount of books how the EB/ED had a different front end geometry than the EA, which improved handling significantly.
Besides the stiffer shocks what else was done and would I be correct in guessing all components would be interchangable with that of the EA's.

I.E fitting EB/ED parts to the EA to give a different camber, toe in/out etc

Soxx · 01-09-2003, 21:53

AFAIK, they were basically the same. The EB steering rack had a different ratio, and they also had gas shocks.

Theirs no need to put EB stuff in an EA, just buy aftermarket shocks/springs (lowered), and give it a decent alignment.
4 degree positive caster, 1 degree negative camber and 1mm toe in makes them feel really nice.

Obviously lower the back and fit better shocks too.
My preferences are Koni or Bilstein for shocks.

Rick.

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-09-2003, 22:46

Thanks for the info soxx. I will be looking into lowering my car 30mm quite soon. First I am going to replace the worn balljoints and various bushes though.

RAPTOR · 01-10-2003, 20:41

I think I read on here somewhere that EB-on cars had the top balljoint pin slightly offset in the upper arm compared to EA. This provided more positive caster (and perhaps negative camber) in the still unadjustable front suspension.

With a camber/caster kit the same geometry is probably possible with either EA or later components.

If you want to interchange then I am sure that is possible.

NZ · 01-10-2003, 23:32

Id heard the mounting points on the diff were differend on later models / or xr models which changed the handling in the rear. I think the mouning points for the shocks were moved a bit?

gm dstroya · 01-10-2003, 23:59

here are a few other things to consider
- EL upper control arms will bolt straight on to EA-ED (not lower though) and are far superior.
- EL rack is solid mounted and earlier racks are not. They are well known to flog out the bushes so either get a reco one with urethane bushes or even better bolt in the EL one. Straight in!!
- EF/EL XR6 & 8 Falcons have a different rear plate on the diff. The Watts link mount point is 25 mm lower. The same amount that a XR8 or 6 is lowered from factory. Coincidence??? Nup. They used to cost about $200 ish new but that was a long time ago. It is well worth the trouble to fit that mod... at least Tickford thought so.
- EB2 upper front control arms have the ball joint mounted further back in the arm. This gives the car more caster making the car want to steer straighter and the steering a little heavier. More feel to I reckon. I also fitted camber/caster kits at the same time and these mods made a HUGE difference to the car. Was heaps nice to drive then and was not an expensive mod.
- Brake pads... fit metal kings at least. My car used to pull up quite well with them in it. They are harder on discs than standard pads but are far superior. What would you rather be harder on, brakes or your front bumper bar?

*NOTE*:-this info was supplied from [v8]fordpower on ford forums

also el gt front end has slightly revised front end over the standard el and ef's and will give much better handeling

and the ed has a slightly different diff susp. pick up points-again to improve handeling.

note ef and el diffs are better still but the input pinion length is longer so some mods are required to fitup to an ea-ed series

hope that helps

cheers.joe.

Rollin · 01-12-2003, 02:36

yes the changes to the diff were to do with the watts link (the 3 bits of metal that locate your diff relative to each side of the car) the later the model the lower the roll centre, which reduces the tendancy for the car to oversteer when you turn the car hard and the body 'rolls' around in relation to the axle line

SiX_iN_a_RoW · 01-24-2003, 20:32

- EF/EL XR6 & 8 Falcons have a different rear plate on the diff. The Watts link mount point is 25 mm lower. The same amount that a XR8 or 6 is lowered from factory. Coincidence??? Nup. They used to cost about $200 ish new but that was a long time ago. It is well worth the trouble to fit that mod... at least Tickford thought so.

Are these plates a bolt on fit for EA Falcons?
Where can you get these watss linkage plates from?

NZ · 01-24-2003, 21:02

nope, theyre welded on