need help with strut rod bushings

lsc8

lsc8

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was trying to get my front suspension under control, but age and rust are kicking my arse. Question are-how do i get these washers off to install the new rubbers(frame side)
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and secondly my rubbers were destroyed on the spindle side-I have part numbers e9sz-3a140-a(stamped rear) and e9sz-3a140b(stamped front) which way do they go on?

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Just pry that front washer off. Keep the old sleeves (or whatever they are called) to use again. They are very expensive and only available at the dealer.

The original bushings at the control arm are labeled front and rear. Front goes on the side closest to the front of the car.

My opinion:): use new original bushings with the old original sleeves.
 
I have all new bushings, but yes i didn't want to order the kit as it is 135 vs 12 that i paid for the bushing. I had a 36" prybar in there last night and they still didn't want to come out. I didn't want to mess up the sleeves. If feels like it's all one piece thru the sub-frame. I'm not sure if it's just rusted together. Soaked it down with pb blaster, and i'm gonna try again when i get back on sun.
 
The sleeves are actually 2 sleeves, one thin sleeve inside the outer thick sleeve.

The thin one is "mushroomed" holding the front washer on. When you pry the washer off, it will un "mushroom" (sorry about the highly technical jargon:D).

To reassemble, put it back together without the strut rod, just like your photo. Then use a small hammer or a hammer and drift and re "mushroom" the thin sleeve on the washer. It's really thin and should bend easily.
 
If they are mushroomed out then you should get new ones. I had to do it too, it sux. But they may just be corroded together. Hose them down with some PB Blaster and let them sit for a bit. I did that and then put a flat head screw driver and slowly worked them out.
After that I lightly sanded them and coated them with WD-40 before putting them back together.

Sometimes when people install them or see they are not completly tight they will really wrench down on that nut and thats when the sleeves get all dammaged. :(
 
Nope. The OEM bushings are cheap but if you need the sleeves then you need the whole kit and for some reason those cheap ass flimsy sleeves add $100 to the price of the system. :mad:

Also they are MUCH different from allo the aftermarket sleeves so you cant even save $50 by buying some Moogs or Autozone ones and just using thier sleeves. Really sux but it is what it is. :(
 
100 bux a peice? or does the kit come with the bushing as well.

are you saying that i just wasted 40 buck on oem bushings and now i have to spend 100 on sleeves?
 
If you can reuse the old sleeves you don't need to buy new ones.

Of course, it's always best to buy new parts, but I've been able to reuse mine.
 
If they are not dammaged then you dont need new ones but if they are mushroomed out at all then I would swap them cause you prolly cant remove them without really messing them up. Also they ONLY come with the bushings and can only be gotten from Ford. I am fairly sure Max charged me around $130-$140 shipped for them but it was 6 or 7 months ago.
 
Max will take them back, you just have to pay shipping I think. I did the same thing. Ordered them and realized about the same time you did that I also needed the sleeves. Called Max up and as usual he gave me first class service and got me the new ones in no time. Max is teh man. :)
 
Well seem like DLF maybe need to think bout maybe making some washer /spacer for the bushing. Won't the tbird ones be cheaper.
 
Dam I'm just now hitting over a thousand post and been a member since 2004. WOW
 
Lsc8...That bushing you did was the one at the frame, not the control arm right? I know there are two strut rod bushings. Just curious...
 
i'm doing both the first pic is of the frame side yes.
 
need the car for work tom, so....I pryed the washers off and the inner sleeve came apart. It looked almost like a thinner washer on the bigger one. After putting my new bushings on, the inner sleeve isn't long enough to go thru the new bushings. After comparing the new bushings to the old the new are taller. I have to put it togheter so i have it to drive tom. Is there going to be a prob with the inner sleeve cutting the bushing if it isn't going all the way thru?
 
i think I spent more time with a hammer than i did with a wrench
 
we need video and a How to / FAQ on both front and read end stuff. I'm tempted to get at least the Front cradle and replace all of them but I've still got to do all of mine soon. UUUGGHHH
 
phreakness said:
we need video and a How to / FAQ on both front and read end stuff. I'm tempted to get at least the Front cradle and replace all of them but I've still got to do all of mine soon. UUUGGHHH
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Just have your own personal mechanic come over and do it for you...
 
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