Thread: rear end jump

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70 mustang sport roof. When I hit a bump while cornering, the rear end skips out from behind me. car has coil over shocks in the rear and leaf springs (I didn't do it). could these cause this? something as simple as bad shocks? is there a shock test other than the bouncing thing without removing them?
any thoughts would be appreciated.

Originally posted by chiefsaj
70 mustang sport roof. When I hit a bump while cornering, the rear end skips out from behind me. car has coil over shocks in the rear and leaf springs (I didn't do it). could these cause this? something as simple as bad shocks? is there a shock test other than the bouncing thing without removing them?
any thoughts would be appreciated.

Stiff shocks and overinflated tires will do that many times.
(The 35 psi max pressure or whatever is printed on the sidewall is not always the correct pressure.) - (Some of today's tires list 44 psi as the max tire pressure.)

It does look like the previous owner was either trying to set up a very stiff suspension or simply raise the rear end.
It could be cured by trying a set of non-coilover shocks or pulling the coilovers, removing the coils, re-installing and giving them a try.


Far as tire pressure goes, my new at the time 88 Mustang GT rode hard and the 2nd day I had it I was wondering if I was gonna be able to live with it.
A little searching found a sticker on the passenger side door jamb that stated 30 psi. (The dealer had aired the tires up to 35 psi.)
That was the right inflation pressure for that car.
Traction improved as did the ride.

And depending on the particular bump - is it the same one every time? - that may be one of the few places it happens.
If so, learn to turn a little sharper before you hit the bump, straighten the steering wheel just before you hit the bump and after you're over it revert to steering the proper arc.

i agree with c9x on the coil overs and leaf springs. you dont need both. he must have been hauling moon-shine. take the springs off of the shocks and it will make a big dif.

mmmmmm, moonshine.
Thanks guys, makes sense to me. I'll give it a try.

I had a 70 Mustang coupe with overloads on the back. The previous owner had put them on to correct too-wide tires and dead leaf springs. I lived with it but I was po then. Now I would toss the overloads and put new springs and shocks on it with the right size and offset tires and wheels.