Strut Rod to Frame Bushing Removal
- Thread starter eazezee
- Start date
driller
El Presidente
98mark8lsc
I make stuff
Please make sure to replace them with Motorcraft only!
I can of figured they we're gonna be tough. Thanks for the website. And I'm sorry 98 mark but I used Moog Thermo plastic this round.Where I live is on the state line of Ky and Tn and we have a lot of curvy roads and I like a nimble suspension.I've always been more into Mustangs ,Camaro's and 4x4's I love Lincoln 7's and 8's but weren't affordable to me at the time.So I'll be looking to you guys for a lot of help and Thank you again for helping me out.
dnsherrill
New member
on the bumper side, in the past I've pried the washer over the flange of the sleeve- use a big ass pry bar
, twisting and pulling didn't work...I've reused the sleeves but that's not always an option, the safe bet is to get Jay's ss sleeves ahead of time
The probelm people have reported with the aftermarket plastic bushings is they compress over time and get loose. Some people say it is because they do not get installed correctly. I have never heard of anyone saying the OEM bushings kits fail. They only complain about the cost.
Depending on how rusty the sleeves are you can use a pointed punch to fold the inner sleeve open at the front side. The factory process is the roll the inner sleeve over the outer sleeve on the front side. They actually compress the bushing and roll the sleeve at the same time which sets the bushing compression. On the after market service install you set the bushing compression by how long you make the inner sleeve. If you trim it too long you will not compress the bushings enough. Jay's SS sleeves make this trouble free.
Depending on how rusty the sleeves are you can use a pointed punch to fold the inner sleeve open at the front side. The factory process is the roll the inner sleeve over the outer sleeve on the front side. They actually compress the bushing and roll the sleeve at the same time which sets the bushing compression. On the after market service install you set the bushing compression by how long you make the inner sleeve. If you trim it too long you will not compress the bushings enough. Jay's SS sleeves make this trouble free.
tonybrooklyn
New member
I have been running the Moog Thermo plastic bushings for two years and over 10,000 miles with no issues.
They are much stiffer than the stock pieces. I have to say i was skeptical at first. But i began to realize it was just like when i converted to springs. There are sadly many who are haters of things. Shame really if they had open minds. They could see what they where missing.:thumbsup:
except we have faaaaarr too many documented cases of moog srb failure to call them reliable in any way.
I would agree with this comment. I do not think anyone is a "hater" of moog. If you have been on the M8 board a long time you know there have been dozens of cases where the aftermarket bushings fail after 20-30K miles as opposed to the 100K+ miles the OEM bushings last. Many times the aftermarket bushings fail very quickly. I cannot remember any instances of OEM bushings generating any complaints. But this is also the case for many parts throughout the car.
I would like to add my thumbs down for the Moog strut rod bushings particularly the ones at the frame. I am on my 3rd Mark VIII.
I have all Moog front end parts. Control arms and tie rod ends last 100,000 miles just like the oem parts. Sway bar end links somewhat less.
Strut rod bushings simply do not. 30,000 tops. I now use only Ford bushings.
When you hit the brakes 1000's of pounds of force pull on the strut rods. Moog's bushings compress but are not elastic enough to completely expand back into shape.
Over time they develop play and your car starts pulling to one side during braking.
Neil
I have all Moog front end parts. Control arms and tie rod ends last 100,000 miles just like the oem parts. Sway bar end links somewhat less.
Strut rod bushings simply do not. 30,000 tops. I now use only Ford bushings.
When you hit the brakes 1000's of pounds of force pull on the strut rods. Moog's bushings compress but are not elastic enough to completely expand back into shape.
Over time they develop play and your car starts pulling to one side during braking.
Neil
One thing that will convince you is a close analysis of the Moog vs OEM bushings. The moog (and other aftermarket) stuff is simply hunks of plastic or rubber. The OEM bushings are multiple layers or rubber, other materiels, and a steel core. Off course they are much more expensive too.
tonybrooklyn
New member
I have had no luck with Moog upper or lower control arms Junk IMHO.
I am very happy if i get 30,000 miles out of the strut rod bushings.
The increased firmness and tighter cornering are worth it to me.
That's 6 years of driving for me.
At $30 a pop and an hour of my labor i am golden.
You see i refuse to get raked over the coals.
And pay hundreds of dollars to do both sides.
Last i checked about 75 dollars a side.
That's with out the sleeves.
Those bushings where about 6 bucks a piece.
Before they realized there where people willing to pay much much more.:fart
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As long as you don't remove the lower control arms.
No alignment is needed.
Only a few measurements need to be taken.
tonybrooklyn
New member
Boy you really get a lot of mileage out of that picture.
I bet you have a wallet sized one you carry around lol!
The early bushing problems are corrected long ago.
15 year old pictures of defective bushings Covered in oil hold no water here.
Nice try though.
Don't for get to show the other picture of the improperly installed one you have that failed as well.
tonybrooklyn
New member
Here's another one look out gas mask time.
:fart:fart:fart:fart
:thumbsup:
:fart:fart:fart:fart
:thumbsup:Brother David
New member
I have to thank you for the re-direct. I am so sick of hearing clunk and pop from my front end that I am taking it on this weekend. I will have to use the inferior blues for now, but when I get past Christmas will get the stainless from 98LSC and find OEM somewhere. Due to several unexpected financial crises associated with retirement, this car will be my daily for the next year, so I will be updating it in every way. LOD is always invaluable as a resource and I salute you all. Dave Peterson