Front strut bush

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Thu May 19, 05 8:26 pm

I have noticed the bushes on the front end of my front struts are perished and will need replacing shortly. Can anyone say how its done? My workshop manual isn't clear on the subject. 1969 Roadrunner, by the way!

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Thu May 19, 05 10:21 pm

If you mean the ones that mount onto the "K" Member at the front, then I do not think you will like the answer................

Best way in my experience is to remove the LCA's, which means pulling the torsion bars and probably the lower ball joints....are you still sure they are perished ????

There may be another way, but i do not know it....

Alex · Post by **Alex** » Thu May 19, 05 10:22 pm

Nope, there ain't! thats the way

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Fri May 20, 05 12:29 am

I just replaced my upper arm bushes, upper ball joints, LCA bushes and front strut bushes and steering ball joints. No problem.......If you know a man with a press......

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri May 20, 05 4:52 pm

Thanks, I definitely need a rethink. Shackle bushes were easier!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri May 20, 05 6:55 pm

go for poly bushes and do the whole lot, no need for a press then, just burn the old rubber bushes out and hacksaw a slit in the old bush shelsand pliers them out. piece of cake!!
poly bushes make the whole front end nice and tight.
by the way, make sure you mark the upper control arm mounting washers as they are adjustable so you get the original castor/camber settings.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Sat May 21, 05 10:22 am

But if they are going soft you get the LCA moving back and forwards as you accelerate or brake. It is generally considered to be a bad thing to have toe as well as caster all over the place as you drive.

It will also cause greater wear to the LCA pivot bush and in extreme conditions will Damage the LCA.

Jack the front up and see if you have much movement in the LCA. If you do stop driving the car until you fix it.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Mon May 23, 05 10:30 pm

SteveB wrote:the bit you can see crack and split and look perished to hell even if the stuff inside the joint is actually OK.

I agree. But do check it.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Tue May 31, 05 1:11 pm

Poly Strut Bushes have to be done with LCA removed.
Here's the tip for OEM style Rubber ones (this saves some time & money) -
1. Burn or cut originals off and make strut clean.
2. Put plenty of dish soap on your strut bushes and strut rod.
3. Slide both inner and outer bushes on to the outside of the strut...or single bush if a one-piece affair.
4. Put some more dish soap on.
5. Put washer and nut back on (get as much thread on nut as possible).
6. More soap on!
7. Find an unused (safe) road to drive your vehicle to about 10-15mph forwards, then stamp on the brake in a straight line. This will cause the lower control arms/strut to move back pulling the bush through. This may have to be done more than once as sometimes only one side will pull through at a time and can't stress enough of the soap! just wash off after.

I've got some OEM Style rubbers in stock if needed.
Steve
Beaver Bushes
01179867230