• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Drivetrain Rear housing bushing question

  • Thread starter Thread starter limp
  • Start date Start date Aug 26, 2023

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,463
2,891
173
Florida
Aug 26, 2023
#1
  • Aug 26, 2023
  • #1
I am going to try to lower my rear end enough to " make " some brake lines for it.. Hoping to unbolt shocks then lower it all the way it will go... If its not enough I will remove the rear since I seem to LOVE doing things twice..
My question is if I lower it down, should I loosen up the bolts to the upper and lower control arms to prevent any binding in the bushings??
Thanks for any thoughts here....
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,800
3,931
183
Claremore, OK
Aug 27, 2023
#2
  • Aug 27, 2023
  • #2
If you have any control arms with rubber bushings the yes loosening the bolts will help.
 
Reactions: limp

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell
Mod Dude
Feb 18, 2001
43,179
17,884
224
Massachusetts
Aug 28, 2023
#3
  • Aug 28, 2023
  • #3
It's ideal, but I rarely see it done. I'll admit I have never done it myself with my uppers when I've changed ride height.


But those rubber bushings when torqued down do contribute to spring rate when they are bound up when lowering.

3-peice poly bushings on aftermarket arms do not require torquing at ride height.
 
Reactions: limp

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,463
2,891
173
Florida
Aug 28, 2023
#4
  • Aug 28, 2023
  • #4
My uppers are new stock, while the lowers are steeda...
 
Reactions: 85GTStangGuy

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,800
3,931
183
Claremore, OK
Aug 28, 2023
#5
  • Aug 28, 2023
  • #5
You do not want poly bushing in the uppers as it will cause binding. MM has done a lot of engineering on this and recommend rubber on the UCA’s:

Upper Control Arms
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,463
2,891
173
Florida
Aug 28, 2023
#6
  • Aug 28, 2023
  • #6
AeroCoupe said:
You do not want poly bushing in the uppers as it will cause binding. MM has done a lot of engineering on this and recommend rubber on the UCA’s:

Upper Control Arms
Click to expand...
As said above I replaced the upper control arms with new, stock ones from MM.. They are rubber...
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,463
2,891
173
Florida
Sep 3, 2023
#7
  • Sep 3, 2023
  • #7
Next question. Loosened all of the bolts on the lower and upper control arms and have removed the lower shock bolt..
Can I lower the rear end down all the way it will go and leave it hanging from the control arms? Or should I raise it up a bit and put some supports under it?? I want the rear end as low as possible so I can hopefully bend and install new brake lines without removing it from the car.
thanks all...
 

AeroCoupe

lube between the nut and the face. I know my lubes
Founding Member
Oct 28, 2001
5,800
3,931
183
Claremore, OK
Sep 3, 2023
#8
  • Sep 3, 2023
  • #8
Springs will fall out but yeah I’ve let mine come down like that before. I will say it was with the soft brake line disconnected from the hard line on the body. Watch your e-brake cables as well if you have them.

If you don’t want to disconnect the brake line you will need to support it so it doesn’t put stress on it.
 

limp

wrap a little cheese around it and its a done
5 Year Member
Oct 4, 2020
5,463
2,891
173
Florida
Sep 3, 2023
#9
  • Sep 3, 2023
  • #9
AeroCoupe said:
Springs will fall out but yeah I’ve let mine come down like that before. I will say it was with the soft brake line disconnected from the hard line on the body. Watch your e-brake cables as well if you have them.

If you don’t want to disconnect the brake line you will need to support it so it doesn’t put stress on it.
Click to expand...
TY, new soft line going in as I am installing an 87 up brakeline set up .... I do need to confirm the e brake cables though....
thanks
 
Last edited: Sep 3, 2023
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Suspension Harsh Ride
  • PonyGTrider
  • Mar 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2 3 4
Replies
62
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 11, 2026
Noobz347
C
Suspension Rear suspension help
  • Clark302
  • Aug 17, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
303
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Aug 17, 2025
Clark302
C
M
Bent Rear Spring Perches
  • Miozu
  • Aug 18, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
342
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 8, 2025
PSKSAM2
P
Suspension Rear pinion angle
  • JD1964
  • Apr 30, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
830
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 5, 2025
JD1964
Drivetrain Rear end clunk
  • seanmahoney
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
390
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 13, 2025
nickyb
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?