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Watts Link for the 05
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Posted by: OldFart

How many of you took a long hard look at the bolt on Watts Link for the 05 shown on page 76 of the April issue of 5.0 Magazine.

It's by Lakewood (but I have high hopes the folks at BMR will produce one). Lakewood doesn't have have it on their websit yet so I'm calling them this morning to check price and availability.

If they don't want an arm and a leg for it - I just gotta have one. Finally, the answer to my prayers to overcome the problems of the panhard set-up.

I can hardly wait.

OldFart

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFart

How many of you took a long hard look at the bolt on Watts Link for the 05 shown on page 76 of the April issue of 5.0 Magazine.

It's by Lakewood (but I have high hopes the folks at BMR will produce one). Lakewood doesn't have have it on their websit yet so I'm calling them this morning to check price and availability.

If they don't want an arm and a leg for it - I just gotta have one. Finally, the answer to my prayers to overcome the problems of the panhard set-up.

I can hardly wait.

OldFart

Well it looks like I'll have to keep waiting.

Talked to Lakewood tech support about their 05 Watts Link.

This thing is not going to work. It bolts to the same locations as the panhard rod, the upper right on the body and the lower left on the rear-end. So all these dummy's have done is invent a really expensive adjustable pan-hard rod with a more complex adjustment.

You would still have the same problem of the panhard trying to push the rearend to the left when the right rear compresses, which causes the right rear to be considerably stiffer than the left rear (and adds to roll center issues, weight transfer handling problems, etc.).

So getting rid of this problem is the main reason for installing a Watts Link in the first place - and the Lakewood unit does nothing to overcome this problem. So I can't imagine why anyone would want to install one! This unit seems like one of those really snazzy and expensive fishing lures - that are made to catch fishermen - not fish!

BMR says they are in development of a true Watts Link for the 05 but it is still 1 to 2 months out.

So I'm still waiting.

OldFart

Posted by: OldFart

My prior post, about the Lakewood unit not working, was based on a conversation I had with one of the Lakewood tech support guys.

He clearly told me that the right mount goes on the chassis and the left mount goes to the rear-end panhard mount. Which obviously wouldn't work for a number of reasons.

But I kept looking at the photo of the unit (because I just couldn't believe a major company would market something that just would not work - and I finally noticed that the photo is looking at the unit from the front - not the rear.

So the way it really mounts is at the chassis panhard bracket on the passenger side and to the chassis frame on the drivers side - this will work.

So now the only consideration is whether the overall unit is built stout enough to handle the loads it will see. Since most of the load is carried by the upper & lower arms, it may not need to be any heavier than it is, and may work just fine.

Now that I've figured this out, I guess I'll have to call back and get a price.

Sorry for the wrong post but I was only relating what their own tech support told me.

OldFart

Posted by: OldFart

For those of you who go "huhhhhhh" when you see Watts Link and Mustang toghether.

Hit this link and go to the bottom of the page and watch the animation.

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_suspension.htm#Rear

You will note the panhard set-up causes horizontal movement and the Watts link doesn't.

This is also an excellent site to learn the basics about your suspension (among a number of other good things). It's specific to late model Mustangs and the author isn't trying to sell you anything.

Good Luck,
OldFart

Posted by: redbullet

Quote:

Originally Posted by OldFart

For those of you who go "huhhhhhh" when you see Watts Link and Mustang toghether.

Hit this link and go to the bottom of the page and watch the animation.

http://www.miracerros.com/mustang/t_suspension.htm#Rear

You will note the panhard set-up causes horizontal movement and the Watts link doesn't.

This is also an excellent site to learn the basics about your suspension (among a number of other good things). It's specific to late model Mustangs and the author isn't trying to sell you anything.

Good Luck,
OldFart

I am eagerly awaiting it's release in mid march, I'm told. It should help smooth out the bumps in the rear as well.

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbullet

I am eagerly awaiting it's release in mid march, I'm told. It should help smooth out the bumps in the rear as well.

Thanks for the iterest and reply Redbullit.

I was beginning to think I was whispering down a deep well at midnight for all the action this thread was getting. Now at least I know I'm not the only fanatic out there that wants better handling than the panhard can provide.

I got the same mid-March release the last time I called Lakewood.

As an alternative, please check-out this site

http://www.fays2.net/

Jim Fays has been custom making the Watts link for early model Mustangs for a good while, and it appears to be a very well made unit.

He is currently doing research on building one for the 05 Mustang. Please email him (his email address is at the bottom of the web-page) and let him know you are also interested. Needless to say the more interested parties the faster he will build.

Thanks,
OldFart

Posted by: redbullet

I sent him an email. Now he has two requests. My guess lakewood will be out first. Will wait and see his response. I hate waiting for parts

I also think once properly set-up we shouldn't need the rear sway bar. Not sure on this so I asked him.

I don't road race, but then, I don't slow down for turns either, except for traffic.

I installed the FRPP struts/shocks/springs and think this would further compliment the handling. It could use an adjustable rear shock but the front is good.

U'r out in the Orlando area, aren't you? I'm over in the St.Pete area.

God willing that this kidney stone drops, I'll be going to the FFW in orlando.

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbullet

I sent him an email. Now he has two requests. My guess lakewood will be out first. Will wait and see his response. I hate waiting for parts

How do you like those FRPP Shock/struts?

I have been messing around with my suspension for so long I'm beginning to think I'll never get it just the way I want it.

I was running the Tokico DSP-12 dampers with a custom set of springs, But the rear set settled and threw off the set-up. So I figured what the heck and gave the Steeda ultra-light springs a try. I'm not really happy with them and have been fooling with the damper settings quite a bit trying to ket it right, but no luck so far.

Now I'm about ready for the next move. Either a true coil-over set-up all around or just ordering another set of custom springs from Hypercoil, or the new Koni coil-over set. I haven't made up my mind yet.

As to the rear sway-bar, I asked the owner of Blackforest Motorsports (winning FR500C racers) the same question. He said it depends on the track. Sometimes they use one, sometimes not. I guess it will all boil down to how the Watts link affects the understeer/oversteer condition of the particular car and suspension set-up of the other components. I can't wait to find out.

With regard to who will be first, you never really know until someone ships. BBK was going to ship their new throttle body next month - for nearly five months.

Let's keep in touch and no doubt we'll run into each other at some upcoming event.

OldFart

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by redbullet

I am eagerly awaiting it's release in mid march, I'm told. It should help smooth out the bumps in the rear as well.

For those other handling fanatics out there, the latest news is that it appears the Fays2 Watts link will ship first. (Still no info on price though.)

Shipping of the first prototype will occur around mid-March. After some serious beta testing under near-race conditions, the production units will begin shipping shortly thereafter.

I'm really looking forward to this unit as Jim Fays is the man that developed the Watts link for early model Mustangs, when he was racing one. So, I think he knows the requirements we late model owners are looking for.

OldFart

Posted by: redbullet

Git'er done