Are these LCAs normal? Pics inside...

ponycar17

Founding Member

Nov 17, 2001

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Upstate South Carolina

Oct 30, 2004

#1

• Oct 30, 2004

• #1

I decided to replace the control arm bushings on my '93 vert, and I dropped the control arm, only to find some weird stuff... The front control arm bushing is oval, and I didn't think that Mustangs used these oval bushings. My poly bushing kit has only round bushings...

The funny thing is, a friend of mine noticed while we were replacing the clutch, that the upper control arms say, "Ford Factory Service Parts". We kind of thought that the previous owners had complained of ride quality or road noise, and had the dealership replace the control arms. I need to say that the previous owners were NOT typical Mustang owners. When I bought the car, it had everything stock down to a paper air filter in it... It was the lady's daily driver...

So, when I pulled the lowers off tonight, they too said, "Ford Factory Service Parts..." And I thought, hmmmm?...

Well, tell me if this is normal or not. Here's some pics of one of the control arms. Notice the oval front bushing?... Could this be why I've NEVER been able to hook up, and wheel hop like crazy in 2nd?...

Thanks in advance for the feedback!

 

D

Daggar

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Jul 19, 2004

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Oct 30, 2004

#2

• Oct 30, 2004

• #2

Ahhhh... The elusive oval bushings! I've heard of them but never seen em before. I do know though, (from other folks) that Energy suspension does make Urethane replacements for those oval ones.

 

ponycar17

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Nov 17, 2001

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Upstate South Carolina

Oct 30, 2004

#3

• Oct 30, 2004

• #3

Daggar said:

Ahhhh... The elusive oval bushings! I've heard of them but never seen em before. I do know though, (from other folks) that Energy suspension does make Urethane replacements for those oval ones.

Click to expand...

I wasn't really excited about just replacing the bushings with poly ones anyway, and now that I know they're oval, I think I'll just replace the control arms with maybe the Pro3i pieces.

I got the poly bushings from a friend who was selling them, and figured I'd try them out. I just wish I had known about these dang oval bushings before...

Oh well... These things have through-holes in them on each side. It looks like they'd make a really sloppy launch... Maybe that's why I've never been able to hook up, even with drag radials?...

 

D

Daggar

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Jul 19, 2004

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#4

• Oct 30, 2004

• #4

ponycar17 said:

I wasn't really excited about just replacing the bushings with poly ones anyway, and now that I know they're oval, I think I'll just replace the control arms with maybe the Pro3i pieces.

I got the poly bushings from a friend who was selling them, and figured I'd try them out. I just wish I had known about these dang oval bushings before...

Oh well... These things have through-holes in them on each side. It looks like they'd make a really sloppy launch... Maybe that's why I've never been able to hook up, even with drag radials?...

Click to expand...

Could be but I wouldn't attest to it. If it were me, I'd get the bushings and see what kind of difference it made unless you're dead set on replacing the control arms anyway. I can't see any decent aftermarket control arm not make a significant improvement. I've been looking hard at the Steeda adjustables. My lower's now are solid pieces that I got cheap from a guy who just didn't need them. They do alright but I'd like to find one that will rid me of my need for the quad shocks. The ones I have now ain't it.

 

89MustangGX

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Jul 3, 2001

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Mill Creek, WA

Oct 30, 2004

#5

• Oct 30, 2004

• #5

Perfectly normal. All the ones I've ever seen look like that.

 

ponycar17

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Nov 17, 2001

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Upstate South Carolina

Oct 30, 2004

#6

• Oct 30, 2004

• #6

I wish that was the norm though... I called a friend who just pulled his LCAs off his '90 coupe, and they were all round, not oval. I guess it's hit or miss...

 

PNY PWR

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Jul 23, 2004

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Wichita, KS

Oct 31, 2004

#7

• Oct 31, 2004

• #7

I noticed mine were oval as well when I changed control arms. Mine didn't have "service parts" on them, I threw them away. You have to specify if you have ovals when you order bushings.

 

Mavrick

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Aug 29, 2002

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Collingwood, ON

Oct 31, 2004

#8

• Oct 31, 2004

• #8

Ya, mine had ovals too. They went to the DUMP earlier today.

 

maverick0716

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Jan 12, 2002

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Chilliwack, BC, Canada

Oct 31, 2004

#9

• Oct 31, 2004

• #9

Mine had ovals as well.

 

extozy

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Sep 7, 2003

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Longview, TX

Oct 31, 2004

#10

• Oct 31, 2004

• #10

mine as well...

 

04sleeper

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Jun 22, 2002

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89

Dallas, TX

Oct 31, 2004

#11

• Oct 31, 2004

• #11

89MustangGX said:

Perfectly normal. All the ones I've ever seen look like that.

Click to expand...

Same here.

 

BlackFox5.0

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Aug 7, 2000

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Oct 31, 2004

#12

• Oct 31, 2004

• #12

They don't hook, and have wheel hop because they are stock. The quadshocks are supposed to stop wheel hop. Get aftermarket LCA's, and you won't need quads, and say bye bye to traction problems.

 

ponycar17

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Nov 17, 2001

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Upstate South Carolina

Oct 31, 2004

#13

• Oct 31, 2004

• #13

BlackFox5.0 said:

They don't hook, and have wheel hop because they are stock. The quadshocks are supposed to stop wheel hop. Get aftermarket LCA's, and you won't need quads, and say bye bye to traction problems.

Click to expand...

I ordered the Pro3i MM look-alikes last night.

http://www.partshopper.com/fordmust...5EVEREST3-8BC992537DF5}&ic=PRO3-23957&eq=&Tp=

 

RYC CUKR

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May 19, 2002

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Orlando

Oct 31, 2004

#14

• Oct 31, 2004

• #14

Look the same at the stock LCAs I took off my 93 vert a few weeks ago. They went straight in the trash an on went a set of MM adjustables. Very nice pieces. If I were you I would just get a nice set of aftermarket LCAs and be done with the stockers.

 

ponycar17

Founding Member

Nov 17, 2001

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Upstate South Carolina

Nov 8, 2004

#15

• Nov 8, 2004

• #15

Well, I ordered the Pro-3 Street/Race LCAs, and just put them on tonight. VERY nice! No more wheel hop to speak of, it doesn't spin as much off the line, and it's easier to control spin with the throttle... I like!