1967 Cougar build (over 700 pictures and videos)

[Motown 454]

Andrew I looked but couldn't find if a power steering box can be used if you loop the hose from one fitting to the other on the box?

[andrewb70]

Andrew I looked but couldn't find if a power steering box can be used if you loop the hose from one fitting to the other on the box?

I honestly do not know.

Andrew

[andrewb70]

I recently completed a 1000 mile road trip in the Cougar and I noticed that the steering was particularly numb on center. While driving down the highway I found myself having to constantly steer it in order to keep it going straight. I attributed this mostly to the windy conditions that I encountered at various points on the trip, but I didn't give it much more thought.

After getting home, I noticed that there was a little squeaking noise from the front end when I made slow right hand turns. I suspected that maybe the preload on the front bearings has loosened up, so I jacked it up to investigate. Rocking the wheel at the 12 and 6 o'clock position really didn't show any unusual looseness in the bearings, however, I did find significant slop when I rocked the wheel at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions:




Although all of my front end components are "new" they do have about 15K miles on them since installation. After seeing the slop in the rack, I called TCP and was surprised and pleased to get a live tech guy on the line. His name was Mike and he was very helpful. He told me that due to the straight cut gears of the rack and pinion gears, periodic inspection and adjustment is necessary to minimize the backlash. He outlined the procedure and I went outside and did it. I also noticed that the passenger side inner tie rod was a little loose where it was bolted to the rack, and I was able to address that.

Needles to say, the steering feels much better. The return to center is much improved and the on center feel is also much better (no duh...considering how much slop was there)! I plan to have the car up on a rack in the near future to inspect all of the steering and the suspension components and fix anything I find.

Take away: don't assume everything is tight and working properly just because all of the components are "new."

Andrew

[Bob in St. Louis]

Wow! That's a bit scary!

[rixtrix1]

Andrew I looked but couldn't find if a power steering box can be used if you loop the hose from one fitting to the other on the box?

Wayne, every power rack I have seen has some play in it with the engine off that can't be adjusted out without binding the rack somewhere in it's travel, so I would imagine if you just looped the hoses together, the slop would still be there. I've talked to others in my autocross club who say they have experienced the same thing.

[andrewb70]

Going to rock a slightly different look and feel for a bit. It is definitely a different driving experience with proper front tires.

The tires are Dunlop Direzza (who comes up with these names!?) DZ102s sized 225/55-16 all the way around, mounted on 16x7 1997ish Crown Vic wheels. The fitment is very good. In retrospect, I probably could have gone with 245/50s all the way around, but I was afraid of fitment issues in the front.



Some lowering in the front and rear is probably in order.

Andrew

[langleylad]

I like it !

[OLDFLM]

I dig it... are there some kindof Ford/Cougar dog dish hubcaps you could put on the centers?

[andrewb70]

...are there some kindof Ford/Cougar dog dish hubcaps you could put on the centers?

I don't think so.

Andrew

[OLDFLM]

A quick Google search revealed that they did make them for 67 Cougars and they have the same emblem as your custom horn button!

[andrewb70]

A quick Google search revealed that they did make them for 67 Cougars and they have the same emblem as your custom horn button!

I don't think they will fit these wheels.

Andrew

[Kenova]

I'm thinking the GTO's suspension may have you a little spoiled, making it real hard to leave the Cougar's suspension alone. I guess time will tell.


Ken

I don't often quote myself, but when I do........

[andrewb70]

I don't often quote myself, but when I do........

The current suspension on the Cougar is actually pretty good. With the new tires it rides and handles great. The ride was fine with the older tires, but as you can imagine, with the skinny front tires you really had to slow down for turns, but not so much anymore!

Andrew

[Motown 454]

Wouldn't they make dog dish caps for police cruisers??

[rickpaw]

Wouldn't they make dog dish caps for police cruisers??

That’s what I thought.

[OLDFLM]

Wouldn't they make dog dish caps for police cruisers??

Get that digital micrometer out Andrew! The people have spoken and we want dog dish hub caps on those rims! LOL

Preferably Mercury Man caps!

[andrewb70]

Get that digital micrometer out Andrew! The people have spoken and we want dog dish hub caps on those rims! LOL

Preferably Mercury Man caps!

There are two problems...maybe three...

1. Too busy driving the wheels off this thing...
2. Zero motivation to fix it
3. The wheel studs are 3" long and a cap would not fit over them.

I like the idea of mercury man caps, but I have serious doubts about actually making them work.

Andrew

[Motown 454]

#1 trumps everything! Drive on my friend!!!

[Kenova]

3. The wheel studs are 3" long and a cap would not fit over them.

Andrew

Relief holes...... let the studs poke through. lol

Ken

[andrewb70]

Relief holes...... let the studs poke through. lol

Ken

Now you're just f***ing with me...LOL

Andrew