Ford 2006 Mustang Page 13 Owner'S Manual Download

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PERFORMANCE/HANDLING

This page is about:

2006 Mustang

Performance/Handling

Mustang

Rear Suspension

Traction-Lok Rear Differential

Power Rack-and-pinion Steering

Four-wheel Disc Brakes

Additional Features

Suspension Specifics cont’d

July 2005

____

Ford Car Source Book

194248

File Name:

06 Mustang SB

Pg# 13

Step: ______ Date: _________

Account Exec:

P.Miramonti

Art Director:

C.Burger

Operator:

A.Rice

Proofreader: _________

Rear Suspension

• While the solid rear axle is a muscle car mainstay, its past

performance has left something to be desired, with wheel
hop proving to be the Achilles’ heel. No more. The refined
rear suspension components and advanced design have not
only overcome all previous weaknesses, but have taken ride
quality to the next level

• A central upper control arm fastened to the upper front end

of the differential provides 60 percent more leverage
against axle windup

• Trailing arms located near each end of the axle are

designed to further help eliminate axle windup

• The tubular Panhard rod connects to the axle at one end

and the body at the other, stabilizing the axle side-to-side
as the wheels move through jounce and rebound, while
firmly controlling the axle during hard cornering

• At the same time, the Panhard rod allowed designers to

tighten the tire-to-fender gaps, lowering the body and
making the wheel wells look “full of tire”

• The shock absorbers are mounted outside the rear structural

rails near the wheels, reducing the axle’s lever effect and
allowing more precise, slightly softer shock valve tuning
for a smooth, comfortable ride with no loss of road “feel”
or feedback

• Overall, the rear suspension’s design offers excellent lateral

control to further reduce lateral skate on uneven surfaces
like railroad tracks

• GT models include a separate, 22mm rear stabilizer bar to

help further reduce body lean during aggressive cornering

• The rear stabilizer bar uses a body-mounted swing link

design that reduces unsprung weight for improved ride
and handling

Traction-Lok Rear Differential

• Mustang GT models with a manual transmission come

standard with a Traction-Lok 8.8-inch rear differential
that improves traction and performance on slippery or
uneven surfaces

• Often referred to as “limited-slip,” the Traction-Lok

differential transfers driving force to the rear wheel with
the best traction

• This system is great for customers who live in rainy or cool

climates, or for customers who are prone to spirited
acceleration or competitive driving

Power Rack-and-pinion Steering

• Furthering the front suspension’s effectiveness is a steering

system that not only makes Mustang more enjoyable to
drive on the open road, it greatly improves parking
lot maneuvers

• The rack-and-pinion linkage provides crisp turn-in and

excellent response, with a turning circle 3 feet smaller
than the 2004 model — impressive when you recall that
the 2006 model’s wheelbase is 6 inches longer

Four-wheel Disc Brakes

• Up front, Mustang uses dual piston aluminum floating front

calipers for better pedal feel with less effort

• Mustang GT front discs are 12.4 inches in diameter
• The discs are 30mm thick and ventilated to aid cooling and

provide consistent stopping power

• The Mustang V-6 vented front discs are 11.5 inches in

diameter and are 30mm thick

• In back, both V-6 and GT use single piston calipers

clamping down on 11.8-inch vented discs that are
19mm thick

• Mustang’s brakes provide low-effort stopping power and

are more resistant to fade than drum brakes

Additional Features