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
13
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
• Mustang’s platform is 31 percent stiffer than the previous
generation Mustang and provides a solid foundation for its
suspension components
• This combination of advanced technologies gives
significantly improved ride and handling characteristics
compared to the previous design. In short, you have to
drive it to believe it
• Hydraulic control arm bushing design reduces impact
harshness
• The front stabilizer bar with outboard mounting improves
roll control and steering responsiveness
• Large piston rear shock
absorbers use outboard
mounting for improved wheel
control and durability
• Rear axle jounce bumpers use
a separate, microcellular
urethane design that allows
advanced shock tuning for
a better ride
06 Mustang SB 8/31/05 4:00 PM Page 13