Topic: Strut Rod Bushing & Washers

[OldGuy]

In reality, more "flex" in the strut rod bushings would make the car handle worse do to erratic caster. The claim that eurathane bushings promote better handling characteristics stems from the fact that caster is maintained more precisely throughout all driving conditions. I'm NOT promoting the use of eurathane bushings (they will loosen the fillings in your teeth)-just using them as an example of "less flex" in the strut rod bushings.

Better containment of the strut rod bushings (by installing the cupped washers the way that they were designed to be used-"cupping" the bushings) also enhances tire life.

Frank

[Flade]

This topic just came up on another Forum.  I have always been told the cups were reversed which seems incorrect, but the consensus here seems to be that they were installed cupping the washers.

The following instructions were posted by a specialist in suspensions.

https://www.vintage-mustang.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,onerror=redirect,width=1920,height=1920,fit=scale-down/https://www.vintage-mustang.com/attachments/6566-strut-rod-bushing-jpg.837243/

He believes they are the original MOOG instructions.  It would seem that the aftermarket changed the orientation from the very beginning.  According to him:

The original design was purely rubber, of not particularly high durometer.
Moog is an aftermarket company well known for it's "problem solver" methods on suspension.
The steel-lined strut rod bushings from Moog are a molded rubber outside of higher durometer
rubber than stock and have steel sleeves inside. Way, way stiffer a design than the FoMoCo effort.....

Apparently with the stiffer design they flipped the washer to get the right amount of movement in the strut rod. 

[J_Speegle]

This topic just came up on another Forum.  I have always been told the cups were reversed which seems incorrect, but the consensus here seems to be that they were installed cupping the washers........................................................

Here are washers and bushing on unrestored cars. This is the only way I've seen original installed one thousands of them. Guess at the other site they were discussing aftermarket/replacement assemblies

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=17205.msg108127#msg108127


Original 65-66 versions do not have the cupped washers like aftermarket ones like we see on replacements and original is what our focus is here on this site

Original bushings for the early cars were not shaped like the ones in the drawing you attached either where the rear and forwards ones are reversible.

Hope this clarifies the details

[Flade]

Thanks, that is what I suspected,   So many have been replaced with the newer design, I don?t think I have Ever seen an original set installed.

[sgl66]

+1. I think aftermarket kits for some reason will instruct to mount the washers the odd counter intuitive backward way. That might be one reason many get reversed.

Watching an episode of Garage Squad tonight and this came up. Apparently a couple of the guys used to work on semi's and the truck shocks they replaced use the same metal washer with the "'This side toward rubber" which is the correct way to install them with shocks. That same company supplies the same washers for aftermarket strut bushings stamped the exact same way.