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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

rear control arm bushings

  • Thread starter Thread starter pudman
  • Start date Start date Feb 20, 2009

pudman

Member
May 31, 2008
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tujunga,ca
Feb 20, 2009
#1
  • Feb 20, 2009
  • #1
i'm needing to replace all the rear control arm bushings in my 86 gt vert. while shopping online i'm seeing rear lower front bushings offered in round or oval. which ones do i need on a stock 86 suspension? and what is the total number of bushings required for the rear? thankx in advance
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
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Feb 20, 2009
#2
  • Feb 20, 2009
  • #2
If you look under your car you can easily see. On my '88 they were oval. I beleive the arms are the same.

You have two bushings per arm, and 4 arms total. The uppers are a PITA to do really. Don't go polyurethane in the uppers. Stay with rubber OEM bushings here. Creating too stiff of a setup can lead to snap oversteer.
 

pudman

Member
May 31, 2008
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0
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tujunga,ca
Feb 20, 2009
#3
  • Feb 20, 2009
  • #3
thanks Mustang5L5. they are oval. that was simple enough to find out, but wasn't sure what i was looking for. i'm new to this car fixing stuff. learned a ton on this forum when i started restoring my car. do you know anything about mevotech stuff? bushing material not as stiff as urethane,but stiffer than rubber. input anyone?
 

pudman

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May 31, 2008
109
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tujunga,ca
Feb 22, 2009
#4
  • Feb 22, 2009
  • #4
Mustang5L5 said:
If you look under your car you can easily see. On my '88 they were oval. I beleive the arms are the same.

You have two bushings per arm, and 4 arms total. The uppers are a PITA to do really. Don't go polyurethane in the uppers. Stay with rubber OEM bushings here. Creating too stiff of a setup can lead to snap oversteer.
Click to expand...

would it be ok to go poly on the lowers?
 

cenok is family

15 Year Member
Jun 25, 2003
1,409
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79
Norman, Ok
Feb 23, 2009
#5
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #5
i have UPR tubular uppers and lowers with poly bushings on both ends and i like em. the ride isn't harsh but it is pretty stiff, mostly due to my springs/shocks/struts though. sure does bite a lot harder though.
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,932
224
Massachusetts
Feb 23, 2009
#6
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #6
pudman said:
would it be ok to go poly on the lowers?
Click to expand...


Yes.


You just want some "give" on the uppers
 

Beasty306GT

Active Member
Dec 19, 2002
671
4
28
Oxford,Mass
Feb 23, 2009
#7
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #7
you should buy a nice new set of uppers and lowers...save yourself a headache just replace them..plus ull have a better ride
 

90lxcoupe

20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 7, 2003
3,596
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Feb 23, 2009
#8
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #8
SickSix said:
you should buy a nice new set of uppers and lowers...save yourself a headache just replace them..plus ull have a better ride
Click to expand...

agreed, the stock stuff is going to flex alot with the bushings, and since they are out you might as well throw a set of nice aftermarket uppers and lowers in it. There are lots of quality brands out there and usually there is something for everyones budget. My advice would be to spend a few extra bucks and buy good stuff, otherwise you will be buying parts twice.
 

SVT32VDOHC

waiting for the next hack atta
Founding Member
Nov 22, 2001
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119
Motor City
Feb 23, 2009
#9
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #9
Your best bet is to get a whole set of control arms instead of keeping the weak stock ones and having crappy rubber bushings. If you don't do any serious drag racing, or racing at all get these.

Uppers:
79-98 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, HEAVY DUTY MUSTANG

My friend has these on this notch and runs 9's!!! They are basically stock replacements with harder than stock rubber bushings.

Lowers:
79-98 LOWER CONTROL ARMS, STEEL <br> MUSTANG

Or get a kit. This will do:

BEST BET...all the way....hands down.
79-98 CONTROL ARM KIT, BOXED, REAR, UPPER & LOWER, BLACK MUSTANG
 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,249
17,932
224
Massachusetts
Feb 23, 2009
#10
  • Feb 23, 2009
  • #10
SVT32VDOHC said:
Uppers:
79-98 UPPER CONTROL ARMS, HEAVY DUTY MUSTANG

My friend has these on this notch and runs 9's!!! They are basically stock replacements with harder than stock rubber bushings.
Click to expand...

The steeda arms are the same thing, but boxed and zinc'd and come with poly bushings for the axle and are $99!

I chucked the poly bushings in the trash and bought OEM rubber bushings for the axle. Poly in the uppers is a bad idea.
 
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