Our Experience
On our '91 hatch, we had Eibach install its Pro System Plus kit, a newpower-steering rack, Prothane urethane steering rack bushings (suppliedby Maximum Motorsports), and Maximum Motorsports urethane springisolators front and rear. We reused the existing outer tie-rod endsalong with the original rag joint in the steering. (We'd go with a solidshaft or new rag joint along with FRPP front control arms if we were toredo this job, to ensure maximum longevity from this hopefullydo-it-once maintenance and upgrade).
The steering rack was an interesting twist on dealing with inner tie-rodends. A rebuilt Ford unit sold by partsquest.com, the rebuilt rackretails for $209.87, and is possibly easier to change than the innertie-rod ends (they're heavily torqued and require large wrenches). Ifthere is a downside of changing the rack, it's the sometimes oily messfrom opening and flushing the power-steering lines. But depending onlocal labor rates, this option may beat having the tire and alignmentshop install only inner tie-rod ends.
When finished, our Mustang stood a perfectly beautiful 1 inch lower thanstock, rather than the usual 1.5-inch drop advertised for the Pro Systemkits. This is because the large, urethane Maximum Motorsports springisolators are thicker than stock and so provide a small ride-heightlift. Stock isolators and the Eibach gear would drop the ride height 1.5inches. Lowering fiends have been known to leave out the isolators--notrecommended due to noise and deteriorating handling--and get a1.75-2.00-inch lowering. That's too much lowering for optimum handling,but some folks will do anything for looks.
The ride is slightly stiffer than stock, daily-driver friendly, yetfirmly controlled. The steering is a notch tighter than stock, andgenerally the car is more eager and willing to hustle through turns. Sofar we've noticed only minor increases in front-end scraping out of thesteepest driveways, or dragging our lower-than-stock exhaust over speedbumps and such.
It's been the fun way to take care of old chassis issues!
 What's great about Eibach's...  What's great about Eibach's Pro System is it is a well-engineered springand shock kit designed for enthusiasts. Paired with stock isolators, itgives a 1.5-inch lowering with a nose-low rake. The gas shocks arevalved to Eibach's specification to work precisely with their springsand give great control. Add Eibach's sway bars to the package and youhave the Pro System Plus at $1,247.35 for everything. |
 Slightly larger in diameter...  Slightly larger in diameter than stock, the Eibach sway bars give aworkable increase in roll control for a flatter, more corner-friendlyattitude. The front bar is hollow to save weight, and installation iseasy. |
 Eibach engineers put considerable...  Eibach engineers put considerable effort into their bumpstops, which fitover the shock shafts. More than simple cushions to avoid suspensiondamage, these bumpstops actually add a bit of spring rate during hardmaneuvers and provide a more predictable, driver-friendly personality asthe suspension reaches its limits. That said, the Pro System Plus issharper edged at the limit than the stock arrangement, which startsplowing the front end and gradually makes things worse should you tryharder. The Eibach suspension works well driving up to about a 7 on ascale of 1-10, then the rearend gives up with more authority than stock.This makes the Eibach system much more fun to drive on the street andfaster at the track, which is the only place you'll get to 7/10 driving. |
 If you're resurrecting a tired...  If you're resurrecting a tired Fox or plan on hard road-course driving,Maximum Motorsports offers this front sway-bar attach-pointreinforcement kit. It's only $14.95, but it requires a welder forinstallation. |
 Both Maximum Motorsports and...  Both Maximum Motorsports and Eibach offers quality caster/camber plates.You may need these $199.95 double-adjustable plates to restore workablecamber if you really lower your Fox. Our car with a 1-inch drop didn'tneed them, but it was getting close. |
 Rebuilding the suspension...  Rebuilding the suspension and installing the Eibach Pro System Plus kitfollows what are now familiar Fox chassis procedures. The brake caliperis dismounted (but not disconnected), the sway bar end links are removed(shown), the outer tie rod is loosened from the spindle, and the strutis disconnected at the top or from the spindle. The outer tie rod can bedisconnected without damaging it simply by pounding the spindle end witha large hammer. It's barbaric, but the tie rod will pop free withoutdamage to its rubber seal. Maximum offers urethane tie rod and balljoint seals for reasonable prices ($4.00) should you need them. |