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Author
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Topic: poly strut rod bushings
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-23-2002 03:38 PM
   
I've heard that polyurethane bushings shouldn't be used on the strut rods. I've heard that they could cause the rods to snap. Is this true? I need to replace my bushings, and have a choice between Energy Suspension poly or stock rubber. Any advice you all can give on this?  ------------------
1970 Deluxe SportsRoof (63B), my new toy a '66 fastback 289-4 spd,(2)46 Ford trucks, 47 Ford truck, 57 Ford Fairlane 500 4dr, '72 Olds Vista Cruiser, '88 Bronco II...you can never have too many cars
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19751
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-23-2002 03:47 PM
No truth at all.  They will pull throught the frame before they snap.  Go ahead and use them if you like. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
US Class Nationals link
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kcode
Gearhead Posts: 2623
From: alvaton,ky,usa Suburb of Bowling Green, M&M #79, MCA #29208
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 02-23-2002 04:52 PM
I agree with Alex on this, but before you install any new parts make sure the existing pieces are in good shape. I don't know about 70 struts but 65-66 were know to rust and corrode inside the bushings, which changed their cross sectional area and made them weaker over the years. As far as blaming poly bushings for breaking is bull. If in doubt, buy new strut rod also. Mike
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-23-2002 09:43 PM
My strut rods are still in good shape with no corrosion. By the way, any real advantage to using the poly bushings instead of rubber? Thanks for the help so far. ------------------
1970 Deluxe SportsRoof (63B), my new toy a '66 fastback 289-4 spd,(2)46 Ford trucks, 47 Ford truck, 57 Ford Fairlane 500 4dr, '72 Olds Vista Cruiser, '88 Bronco II...you can never have too many cars
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Rustang
Gearhead Posts: 504
From: Clarion PA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-23-2002 11:16 PM
Alex, I got a call from a friend of mine a couple of years ago to warn me of a guy he worked with who had a '69 that had broke strut rods on two seperate occasions. One time he looped it, the other time he took the car into the ditch. After that the guy replaced the poly strut rod bushings with stock type and that was the end of his strut rod problems. The poly bushings were so stiff the strut rods were bending then breaking. Granted, this car was set up for cornering in autocross events and was driven hard. This problem might not surface during normal driving or drag racing. I think a guy would be better off with the strut rods that are available with steel spherical rod ends. ------------------
'68 mustang 351 clevor- 10.92@124
'67 Stang, 351W -11.18@118
'69 351C Torino-14.90@100
'78 Pickup 351W-15.56@88
'79 Pickup 460 ET=??
http://www.rustang-racing.cityslide.com/contents/contents.cfm/712231
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Moneymaker
Administrator Posts: 19751
From: Lyons, IL, USA
Registered: May 99
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posted 02-23-2002 11:31 PM
Soomebody should have told that stuff to Shelby then in the mid 60's Gt-350 R's had solid aluminum strut bushings. ------------------
Alex Denysenko
Co-Administrator and Moderator/ non 65-66 Mustang owner sensitivity co-ordinator NHRA/IHRA/SRA member
NHRA and IHRA SS/LA National Record Holder '00, '01, & '02
Fleet of FoMoCo products including 88 ASC McLaren Mustang #28
Part time secret agent license #0089
US Class Nationals link
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-23-2002 11:35 PM
The poly bushings were so stiff the strut rods were bending then breaking.
Thais is what I had seen in an ad for a Mustang parts place. They said that the poly bushings can cause the rods to break. I'm not using this car for autocross racing, just street/strip use. I was checking here since wasn't sure since the Mustang place was trying to sell their brand of bushings for the struts. Anybody here used them on their car and can give some pros/cons? Thanks all.
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1970 Deluxe SportsRoof (63B), my new toy a '66 fastback 289-4 spd,(2)46 Ford trucks, 47 Ford truck, 57 Ford Fairlane 500 4dr, '72 Olds Vista Cruiser, '88 Bronco II...you can never have too many cars
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mvierow
Gearhead Posts: 199
From: Bay Area, Ca
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 02-24-2002 02:24 AM
I remember a tread on here about a year ago saying the same. You might want to search the archives to see if you can find out more.Mike
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70SportsRoof
Gearhead Posts: 777
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Dec 2001
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posted 02-24-2002 03:00 AM
Mike, thanks for reminding me about the archives, I forget they are there. After reading some interesting posts I think I'll go with the rubber bushings. Last thing I need is to snap a strut rod on my car in traffic. Thanks to everybody who helped me.  ------------------
1970 Deluxe SportsRoof (63B), my new toy a '66 fastback 289-4 spd,(2)46 Ford trucks, 47 Ford truck, 57 Ford Fairlane 500 4dr, '72 Olds Vista Cruiser, '88 Bronco II...you can never have too many cars
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Rustang
Gearhead Posts: 504
From: Clarion PA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-24-2002 08:17 AM
To be fair, I do find it hard to believe companies would sell these poly bushings if they were that dangerous, and maybe that kid installed the bushings wrong. He could have been overtighting them or something. I do know the strut rod has to have fairly free movement to move with the lower control arm, so the strut bushings have to act like a bearing. And in this particular case when he'd work the suspension he could actually see the rod flex. I'll try to find out more about what happened.
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Mpcoluv
Gearhead Posts: 975
From: Charlotte NC usa
Registered: Apr 2001
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posted 02-24-2002 09:34 AM
Global west and TCP both make strut rods with a spherical rod end type of bearing.
controls the motion (arc) of the lower arm and has no deflection or binding.
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1trickpony
Gearhead Posts: 107
From: Escondido, Ca
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 02-24-2002 10:29 AM
I have had poly strut rod bushings in my car for years and have run it on road coarses and driven it hard many many times. I have never had a problem with them. As a matter of fact I have replaced everything with poly. ------------------
1969 "S" code Mach1
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Fastback68
Gearhead Posts: 1746
From: Sucat, Paranaque, Philippines
Registered: Jul 99
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posted 02-24-2002 10:29 AM
Worthless comment maybe, but what the heh ... I always listen closely to anything Alex says, but I have heard this "poly bushings break your strut rods" story so often that on this one I stuck with the rubber ones.
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unklshu
Gearhead Posts: 682
From: San Bernardino, Ca
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 02-24-2002 10:37 AM
I have them on my 68 and I have had no problems with them or the rest of the poly set up. I like the way it haddles now.------------------
joe
2001 SVT Cobra
68 GT Fastback
98 F-150
90 Escort GT (smokes the tires in all 5 gears, or just smokes through all gears)
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Rustang
Gearhead Posts: 504
From: Clarion PA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 02-24-2002 01:14 PM
I would run them, but not without making damn sure they don't bind!!!!
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