Problems with suspension?

EEM · Jan 10, 2006

Ok, I think I may have a problem with my front suspension. I know that is worn out and needs to fixed and I will do so when money allows. My problem is this however, I have been shearing strut rods off lately. The first time it happened was over 2 years ago, can't remember which side. Then, a couple of weeks ago I sheared off the drivers side one going over a bump. Today, while pulling out of my house and getting on the road, not going 30 miles and hour and not hitting any significant bumps, I sheared off the passenger side one. So thats now 3 strut rods snapped in less than 3 years and these parts were designed to last forever. My question is, is there something in wrong in the front suspension that could be causing this? Also, can driving on a broken strut rod weaken the other in any way? Alright, thanks alot.

Capt Dan · Jan 10, 2006

Got any more info? Car? Year? Model?

EEM · Jan 10, 2006

yeah sorry, its 67 coupe

LMan · Jan 10, 2006

Driving on a broken strut rod. Hmmm. Yes, I'd say that is a bit dangerous.

Sounds like some serious suspension bind going on. I'd rate your car unsafe to drive at all until the cause is fixed. But "the whole front suspension is worn out" does not offer a good starting point.

grego37 · Jan 10, 2006

How much Caster was put in at time of alignment.

Hows the rest of the suspension? Balljoints, wheel bearings etc.. may have excessive play somewhere and when you hit a bump it magnifies it?

Are you sure you had them on the correct sides.

Are you sure you had the bushings on correctly.

Are you sure you put 67 on your car and not 68 (they are different)

EEM · Jan 10, 2006

grego37 said:
How much Caster was put in at time of alignment.

Hows the rest of the suspension? Balljoints, wheel bearings etc.. may have excessive play somewhere and when you hit a bump it magnifies it?

Are you sure you had them on the correct sides.

Are you sure you had the bushings on correctly.

Are you sure you put 67 on your car and not 68 (they are different)

I can't tell you how much caster was put on, but I did take it to get aligned right after putting it in.

The rest of the suspension is iffy, balljoints and lower control arms need to be replaced for one

Postive on sides

Postive on bushings

Positive on correct year

I bought the rod from Southwest Classic Mustangs in Arlington, TX, some of you dallas people might know what I'm talking about. Anyway, after I installed it, I brought it over to them and got them to check it out and they cleared me.

Jester67 · Jan 10, 2006

First DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR WITH A BROKEN STRUT ROD!!!!
This is a know problem with 67 and these are some of the causes.
Do you have Poly bushings Poly is a big NO_NO on a 67 at least on both sides of the frame mount some use poly at the front and rubber at the back but I would not.
If you over tighten the nut at the bushings that will cause the rod to bind and brake.
Rust at the taper thread interface.
Other binding in the front end.

EEM · Jan 10, 2006

I know not to drive it with a broken strut rod, but when it breaks, I don't have much of a choice but to baby back to where I was coming from. I don't go out and drive it when I know it has a broken strut rod. Bushings are stock rubber. One thing however is when I broke my drivers side one a couple of weeks back, I was bringing it back from where I had come from, but I had to slam on my breaks hard to stop for a light. The car really went wild and I had a hard time keeping it in its lane and hitting other cars. I was thinking possibly this could have weekend my good strut rod, and now its broken.

grego37 · Jan 10, 2006

play it safe
replace the ball joints, lower control arms and get another good used set of strut rods, get it aligned.
if you cant afford afford to do this all at once, park it until you have enough money to invest in it.

These few hundred bucks now can save you thousands later, maybe even save your life. I cant imagine something like that breaking at highway speed.

Jester67 · Jan 10, 2006

EEM said:
I know not to drive it with a broken strut rod, but when it breaks, I don't have much of a choice but to baby back to where I was coming from. I don't go out and drive it when I know it has a broken strut rod. Bushings are stock rubber. One thing however is when I broke my drivers side one a couple of weeks back, I was bringing it back from where I had come from, but I had to slam on my breaks hard to stop for a light. The car really went wild and I had a hard time keeping it in its lane and hitting other cars. I was thinking possibly this could have weekend my good strut rod, and now its broken.

Yep and bent other items under the front under braking the only thing that keeps the tire centered in the wheel opening is the strut rod. when you braked the LCA UCA and shock tower had to try to take a load it was never designed for. I am willing to bet inaddition to loading the other strut rod you bent other items and may have cracked the shock tower. Just things to look out for while you are in there for the rebuild

EEM · Jan 10, 2006

Well I wanted to save up for some global west control arms and ball joints, but I might not be able to afford that for awhile so I may just go with either the stock replacements or the stiffened stock replacements.

Jester67 · Jan 10, 2006

VA mustang has very good LCA for a 67 at a very good price.

EEM · Jan 11, 2006

Is that Virginia Classic Mustangs?

Jester67 · Jan 11, 2006

Yep http://www.vamustang.com they say they are MOOG I have them for my car and they are nice. Wish I would have got the GW ones thought. but at $49 vers $350 I just could not do it.

LMan · Jan 11, 2006

you might also look into these:

http://www.streetortrack.com/adjustable-strut-rods.asp

Problems with suspension?

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