Strut rod bushings

[busboy4]

'96 3.8L. Just finished replacing the steel in-frame bushings and rubber bushings. I had the characteristic clunk, clunk and could actually move (slightly) the front of the strut rod by hand. Many have re-welded the steel bushings to the frame with good effect, but I chose to install Moog's new "problem solver" bushings to hopefully end the problem. So far the front end is much tighter and much quieter. My steel bushings, once I had the strut rods out, moved very freely in the frame with around 1/16" to 1/8" free play. The whole job was fairly difficult mainly because of having to horse around large components and work on the floor. Once apart, I used a 4" angle grinder to take the face off of the front of the steel bushing so that I could knock it out of the frame. The new steel bushing threads together and tightens with a 4 pronged spanner socket - I got mine at Autozone. Really the hardest part is re-assembly. With all new rubber bushings it seemed almost impossible to get the strut rod (I left it attached to the control arm) into place and get the control arm back into its socket. Comparing the thickness of my OEM rear rubber bushing to the Moog replacement, I had about 1/4-5/16" greater thickness which of course limited how far forward I could push the head of the strut rod through the frame bushing. After fighting, prying, hammering etc. I gave up and ground the face of the rear rubber bushing until it matched the thickness of the OEM. With that little bit of extra maneuvering room I was able to get the strut rod back into place and the control arm seated using a pry bar. The second side of course came apart and back together much more quickly.

I am glad to have done the job as I think in my case spot welding would have been a band aide since my rubber bushings were original and the steel bushings had worn the frame hole diameter over-size. Spent about $150 with the following parts:

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...parttype,10402

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...,parttype,7612 (I purchased the kit $11.67)

Moog info:
http://www.moogproblemsolver.com/dow...ts(EngSpn).pdf

[bychance ford]

sorry busboy,i tried to answer your question 4 times and none apparently have been sent--i'm doing something wrong on my reply--but i see you got it done anyway-congrats--all i was trying to tell you in my reply was that i took the nut and bushings out from the back of the control bar to give me the play to move it back.