"Inside every small problem there is a big problem itching to get out" I'm trying to remove the two bolts that attach the strut bar to the lower control arm/spring pan. The cotter pins and the nuts are off but my "cheap" impact wrench will not budge the bolt. I figure A - Soak with WD40 for a few hours and then beat the bottom (threaded end) of the bolt with a sledge hammer. Not sure if the strut bar is threaded. Is it? B - Soak with WD40 for a few hours, go out and but a better impact wrench and have another go at it. Any other ideas?
The two bolts are pressed into the bar. When you remove the nuts, you should be able to the tap the bar up and out with a hammer.
When installing new strut bushings. Will measuring the distance from the rods threaded end to the metal washer get the alignment close to same place b4 the new bushings were installed?
mojo. Measuring the rod's length between the lower control arm and washer will give a better number to shoot for. Measuring the amount of threads sticking out won't give you a correct number because the new rubber will be thicker
I am installing a good old made in the USA complete front suspension kit I purchased from Laurel Mountain Mustang. The kit includes polyurethane bushings for the strut members. I read some old threads on this site that said that PU bushing caused the strut to fracture. Is this correct? Should I be searching for old time rubber bushings?
There have been many posts over the years about broken struts due to the stiff poly bushings. Whether it is the bushings causing the breaks or the old struts snapping due to fatigue, I can not say. But some swear they are bad for our cars. I also bought a Laurel Mountain Mustang kit, and my strut bushings were a hybrid made to have a bit more flex than the pure polyurethane bushings. They call them Midolyne bushings. If that is what you have in your kit, you should be fine. Look at your busings to see if they say Midolyne. I also recommend putting new struts in. They are cheap enough from any Mustang supplier. Here is a link to the midolyne bushings from LMM http://laurelmountainmustang.com/products/65-66-strut-rod-bushings-midolene-set
Thanx Acorn. I assumed the Laurel Mountain bushings were PU. I'm replacing everything else on the car so might as well replace the struts as well. Thanks for the advice.
68-73 Mustang rods are direct bolt in - no mods and no problems. I bought mine from Mustangs Unlimited............ http://www.mustangsunlimited.com/itemdy00.asp?T1=3468C+01
