Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions

68Coupe · 05-08-2009, 01:08 PM

I have a 68 Mustang that I bracket race and it is VERY hard to push in Neutral. Just looking for suggestions as to what the problem could be. I know you stocker guys are masters about free things up so i figured i would ask here.

Dragsinger · 05-08-2009, 01:38 PM

a few easy checks, with the front wheels raised, do they spin freely?

Next, are the rear brakes completely released?

Also, try pushing with the drive shaft removed. These experiments will let you tune in on the problem system.

Post your findings after performing the above checks.

Bill Bagley · 05-08-2009, 02:13 PM

Good suggestions by Dragsinger, particularly the one to disconnect the driveshaft.

If your brakes aren't binding and its still hard to push, good chance you have a bent rear axle housing. I've seen this once before and heard of several other cases with the same root cause.

Good luck and please do post your findings.

John Quinn · 05-08-2009, 02:15 PM

If you have front disk brakes you might start there. My 67 had problems with the factory setup.

Casey Miles · 05-08-2009, 02:27 PM

If the car has a spool in it, the rear can be bent causing the car to loose ET. That's if all the other standard stuff doesn't work.
Casey Miles
248H

68Coupe · 05-08-2009, 02:36 PM

If the rear is bent how much ET could it be costing me. I only run 1/8th mile and the car runs 6.80's.

Philip Saran · 05-08-2009, 02:40 PM

My old stock eliminator '73 Duster 340 had the stock disc brakes on it
and I never could get them to spin freely. I understand the new aftermarket
disc brakes solve this problem.

My currant bracket car also has stock disc brakes (all new pieces) and it
does spin freely, so I hope I have eliminated that problem area.

bobby · 05-08-2009, 03:23 PM

You should try pushing some comp cars. I work turnaround at the Houston nats and most of those cars are a )(*^^ to push.

keith ohanesian · 05-08-2009, 05:31 PM

Any car with a spool and big tires is hard to push when the wheels are turned. Most comp cars roll on there own, You have to keep and eye on them so they don't take off on there own.

Wade Mahaffey · 05-09-2009, 08:07 PM

When you free up any brake issues, and remove the shaft try this. (wheels off...housing on jack stands)
1. place a 3 ft. straight edge (put a mark @ 18 inches) on the axle flange with your mark at the center of the hub. Use a plum-bob to mark a spot on the floor off of each end of your straight edge. Repeat that on the other side, now measure the distance between the front two marks on the floor and compare that to the distance between the back two marks. If your housing is bent, the measurement in between the front two marks will be less that the rear marks. That is an easy first step as apposed to taking the rear out for an alignment bar.
2. Do the straight edge thing on the front also, but this time place the straight edge along the tire (actually with a small spacer, place the straight edge against the wheel because the wheel should have less run-out for a more true measurement) with the car at ride height. Also check the camber with a level at vertical. A toe-in or toe-out issue is most likely your problem.
3. Check all suspension points for worn parts, they will cause you suspension settings to change without notice.
4. Align your front with consideration of ride height under acceleration (down track)

05-08-2009, 01:08 PM	#1
68Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions I have a 68 Mustang that I bracket race and it is VERY hard to push in Neutral. Just looking for suggestions as to what the problem could be. I know you stocker guys are masters about free things up so i figured i would ask here.

05-08-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,760 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions a few easy checks, with the front wheels raised, do they spin freely? Next, are the rear brakes completely released? Also, try pushing with the drive shaft removed. These experiments will let you tune in on the problem system. Post your findings after performing the above checks. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

05-08-2009, 02:13 PM	#3
Bill Bagley Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: East Texas Piney Woods Posts: 125 Likes: 110 Liked 31 Times in 10 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions Good suggestions by Dragsinger, particularly the one to disconnect the driveshaft. If your brakes aren't binding and its still hard to push, good chance you have a bent rear axle housing. I've seen this once before and heard of several other cases with the same root cause. Good luck and please do post your findings.

05-08-2009, 02:15 PM	#4
John Quinn Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bison, KS Posts: 97 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions If you have front disk brakes you might start there. My 67 had problems with the factory setup.

05-08-2009, 02:27 PM	#5
Casey Miles Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 703 Likes: 125 Liked 488 Times in 90 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions If the car has a spool in it, the rear can be bent causing the car to loose ET. That's if all the other standard stuff doesn't work. Casey Miles 248H

05-08-2009, 02:36 PM	#6
68Coupe Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions If the rear is bent how much ET could it be costing me. I only run 1/8th mile and the car runs 6.80's.

05-08-2009, 02:40 PM	#7
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 163 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions My old stock eliminator '73 Duster 340 had the stock disc brakes on it and I never could get them to spin freely. I understand the new aftermarket disc brakes solve this problem. My currant bracket car also has stock disc brakes (all new pieces) and it does spin freely, so I hope I have eliminated that problem area. __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

05-08-2009, 03:23 PM	#8
bobby Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: League City, Texas Posts: 243 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions You should try pushing some comp cars. I work turnaround at the Houston nats and most of those cars are a )(*^^ to push. __________________ Next time wave all of your fingers at me.

05-08-2009, 05:31 PM	#9
keith ohanesian Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 392 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions Any car with a spool and big tires is hard to push when the wheels are turned. Most comp cars roll on there own, You have to keep and eye on them so they don't take off on there own. __________________ No prep is king

05-09-2009, 08:07 PM	#10
Wade Mahaffey Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 581 Likes: 0 Liked 17 Times in 7 Posts	Re: Car hard to push in neutral looking for suggestions When you free up any brake issues, and remove the shaft try this. (wheels off...housing on jack stands) 1. place a 3 ft. straight edge (put a mark @ 18 inches) on the axle flange with your mark at the center of the hub. Use a plum-bob to mark a spot on the floor off of each end of your straight edge. Repeat that on the other side, now measure the distance between the front two marks on the floor and compare that to the distance between the back two marks. If your housing is bent, the measurement in between the front two marks will be less that the rear marks. That is an easy first step as apposed to taking the rear out for an alignment bar. 2. Do the straight edge thing on the front also, but this time place the straight edge along the tire (actually with a small spacer, place the straight edge against the wheel because the wheel should have less run-out for a more true measurement) with the car at ride height. Also check the camber with a level at vertical. A toe-in or toe-out issue is most likely your problem. 3. Check all suspension points for worn parts, they will cause you suspension settings to change without notice. 4. Align your front with consideration of ride height under acceleration (down track)