Before I get started as a reminder Mustangforum members get preferred pricing on any Steeda manufactured part and can PM me at anytime for pricing.

As many of you may or may not be aware Ford revised the rear upper 3rd link in the 2011 Mustang. It is slightly longer than the previous models and also uses a larger front bolt for chassis attachment.

Our standard upper 3rd links will not work for the new model, but our 555-4106 and 555-4109 adjustable upper 3rd links with the stronger replacement chassis mount, will.

Some of you may also be familiar with our 555-4110 stepped spacers which are included with our standard upper 3rd links but can also be ordered separately for those that have other brands of 3rd links. This fixes a fundamental issue in the Ford chassis mount for the 3rd link on 2005-2010 models.

Unfortunately although Ford changed the front bolt at the chassis mount in 2011, the fundamental issue we use the stepped spacers for still exists.

In 2005-09 vehicles Ford was using a 14mm front bolt in a 16mm hole. This gave room for the bolt to move. This allowed the upper 3rd link to move back and forth under the stress of acceleration and bumps. This would manifest itself as rear suspension noise particularly over bumps with aftermarket upper 3rd links. Our stepped spacers reduced the hole down to 14mm eliminating this issue.

Now with the 2011, you have a longer rear upper 3rd link with a larger 18mm chassis bolt, but with a nearly 20mm hole. We believe Ford did this for ease of assembly on the assembly line, but for increased performance applications unfortunately this does not work well.

For those who are looking for a better upper 3rd link for their 2011 Mustang part numbers 555-4106 and 555-4109 include new chassis mounts. Ours were originally designed to be longer than the 05-09 links, which Ford obviously saw as a benefit and incorporated into the 2011 Mustang, but our links are adjustable for pinion angle and offer the choice of urethane bushings or spherical bearings for reduced deflection and improved performance/durability.

Our heavy duty chassis mounts are 1/4" thick steel, twice as thick as the original chassis mount use a 14mm bolt in a 14mm hole which solves the issue of the bolt walking in the chassis mount hole as well.

Part# 555-4106 is our full competition version with a spherical bearing at the chassis end. This link will produce NVH in a street application and is recommended for competition use only. Retail 279.95

Part# 555-4109 is our dual purpose street/track version with urethane bushing at the chassis end for near O.E. levels of NVH and smoothness. Retail 289.95

 

Thanks for the great explanation SteedaGus.

Have you taken a look yet at the front strut mounts on the 2011 as regards fitting aftermarket struts (i.e. Tokico or Koni) or your replacement adjustable strut mounts? Would be interested in a discussion on the differences between the 2010 and 2011 model years.

Cheers.

 

The 2011 Upper strut mount is totally different and so is the strut. We are working on a new upper strut mount for the vehicle.

For now, if someone is really intent on putting different struts and shocks on the car they must change the upper strut mount to a 2010-earlier Mustang mount and then use the 2010-earlier struts.

 

Is there any issue to adding the steeda upper control mount, but using the stock upper control arm on an 05-09? I would like to change my IC, but don't want any more nvh.

 

Thanks for that info. My tech installed the Steeda Sport springs but couldn't figure how to do the D-specs off my '06. Looks like I'll be purchasing some 2010 strut mounts.

I've been asking around for a while now and no one seemed to know the answer for sure. Thanks again.

Cheers.

 

Wow - I never got a discount before and I actually bought a Steeda! LOL

 

Unfortunately the HD mount will not work with the stock upper 3rd link.

 

No way, C'mon LOL