Front Bracing Completed

Roadboss

Roadboss

On Work Release
Finally got front bracing completed. We displaced a nice little ride to get it finished. I am very pleased with the enhanced stiffness this setup provides over stock. I would have never guessed how much flex was there. Now I have to address the control arm bushings as they are making noise. They are the Moog Blue Poly and I installed them with no silicone grease (Bad me). I never had problems with them in the past, go figure. I have to make up my mind to replace with FOMOCO rubber or reinstall with Di- electric grease.

I am ordering the rctangular tubing next week so we can have for the end of the month to start the rear sub frame connectors. I already have installed the differential cover brace and stiffener with the Poly bushings, so this should be it. for under the car.

Enjoy that funny looking little red car.
 

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Forget rubber and MOOG...try to get some poly bushings.

You've put way too much money in that car to skimp on handling.
 
Sweet Braces! (not on your teeth, on your car!) Hehe! Did you happend to cut down the sleeves before you installed them or are you getting a diffent noise instead of the "clunk"? I'm sure you know about the sleeve issue, but I'm just trying to save you some trouble. :D
 
I am aware of some of the sleeve issues, and what I whip myself on is weather I should have taken a little more care on the assembly. I plan on taking off the front nut and backing off it's companion, and try and remove the sleeve and shorten it a tad and reassemble. I have had no issues in the past with the Moog bushings so this is monumental only from the point of a "redue" as I have a lot of time available and the posse is "FOG". I appreciate all the comments and interest and will update so all can know what results were. I have ordered my tubing for the balance of the subframe (rear) and anticipate that this and the redue of the bushings will occur at the same time in a week or two.

As a post script I would like to mention that Max at Five Star Ford has been a tru supporter in offering some possible solutions on this problem. Thanks for your imput buddy.
 
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Roadboss said:
I plan on taking off the front nut and backing off it's companion, and try and remove the sleeve and shorten it a tad and reassemble.
Click to expand...

Well....you're already set, you don't need anymore help. That is EXACTLY what I did and it worked like a champ. I took approximately 1/4 of an inch off and it took care of my problem.

When I installed the new bushings everything worked/felt GREAT. After I did the motor swap I ended up with a "knock" in reverse when I tapped the brakes. After inspection while duplicating the noise, I noticed the front strut rod moving back/forth. So...when I had to do the motor swap AGAIN I made sure I fixed this with the K member out, just before the re-install. There are pics on here somewhere of someone doing the install and getting all fancy on the sleeves by taping them, drawing lines, getting the lazer level out and all.....hehe. No need for them to be cut perfect because they smash against washers on each side.

Anywho.....here is a picture that I found, but this is the sleeves in the control arms. I FORGOT to check the sleeves in the K member on the original install. *DAMN IT*!

See how much longer they are...probably 1/4 inch or 5/16ths.
FrontControlArms010.jpg

FrontControlArms009.jpg
 
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