Topic: Front Spring Saddles - Original? Rebuilding? & Related

[preaction]

What is the best way of re-bushing an original set of spring saddles ?

[Bossbill]

I just found a source for the original (looking) bushings.
I won't know until I get them, but from the limited view on the picture, look ok:
https://www.larrystbird.com/product/coil-spring-saddle-bushing-6573/


Some not as good versions here:
https://www.kentuckymustang.com/Coil-Spring-Saddle-Bushing-Each-1964-1-2-1973-p/15508.htm

But if you want the later versions then you wouldn't be on this site, would you?

[jwc66k]

The NPD item -
https://www.npdlink.com/search/products?search_terms=5a305-1a&top_parent=200001&year=
It's $14.95, right between Larry and Kentucky. Virginia does not seem to sell the bushing, just the spring saddle complete.
Jim

[Bossbill]

These bushings arrived very quickly since they come from CA.
Although the others may look ok, these are actually FoMoCo numbered bushings. D7s.

I want the Shelby to have as many original assembly line (and original to the car) parts as possible. Since the rubber on even NOS saddles is sometimes not any better than the cracked rubber on 50 year originals, that's a problem.

So now I can have original to my car saddle metal and original Ford bushings! I also like the olive drab color of the shell. Wonder if that's correct?

On to build the sleeves necessary to keep the saddle from collapsing when I press these in and out.

[on edit]
Do note that the Ford Parts D7 Saddle Assemblies look close, but no cigar.
Not only is the lip for containing the spring pigtail different, so is the saddle configuration itself.

First pic has 65-67 saddle on top and D7 on bottom.
Second pic has D7 on left and original 65-67 on right.

I'll leave it to others to discuss for how long these configurations remained this way.

[Bossbill]

First, a word to the wise. Buy these, don't restore them. Or have someone else do it.
- - Use a ball burr and cut out the bottom of the bent over tabs. Can't find that pic right now.
- Medium grit media blast.
- 20 size glass ball media next.
- Build tool to keep saddle from collapsing (1/2 round of exhaust tubing) while pressing out rubber bushing.
- Tumble
- Buy new bushing
- Mark area to cut into new bushing that aligns with existing tabs in saddle.
- Press bushing back in using tool.
- Bend over bushing tabs and hope they align correctly
- Boeshield
- Wonder why you didn't pay someone to do this or buy NOS saddle.

[Kdclem]

Would like to replace the rubber bushing in the Spring Saddles, Would like to hear from some who have done it, and how it went.  I
d like to remove the old ones and install new without destroying the part.  Original Ford saddles with logo and reproduction bushing...

[RoyceP]

Have done it several times. You have to straighten the crimps on the spring perch, then press the old bushing out using a hydraulic press. Then re - apply the crimps after pressing in the new bushings.


I straighten the crimps by using a deep socket of the proper diameter held in place by the hydraulic press, then you can use a blunt punch to straighten the crimps. The same blunt punch is later used to re - apply the crimps. In that case the spring perch is in the vice with aluminum jaws.

[Bossbill]

https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=11102.msg130228#msg130228

[Kdclem]

I knew it was probably in here somewhere, just couldn't find it.  Thank you Bossbill and RoyceP.  Very helpful.

[Bossbill]

You should also index precisely the angle at which these are supposed to be reinstalled.

I like Royce's idea of putting it in a press.

[RoyceP]

You should also index precisely the angle at which these are supposed to be reinstalled.

I like Royce's idea of putting it in a press.

Yes, I had to remove and reinstall the first set I did to re - index them properly so that is good advice. I also used the ones from Larry's. I forgot to mention I put grease all over the new bushings before installing them. It takes a lot of paper towels and wax & grease remover to degrease them afterwards.


I can't picture installing or removing them without a hydraulic press. How would you do that?

[Bossbill]

I put the saddle in a vice and removed the bent over tangs by chucking a small rotary burr in a die grinder and weakening the back side of the tang.
I did use a press, but I first took a piece of exhaust pipe that fit on the inside of the saddle  frame to keep it from bending  in and again  when pressing the new one in.
I used a dremel to prep cut where the new tangs  indexed on the saddle.

[Bossbill]

I gather that putting a socket on top of the bushing and using the press you were forcing the whole affair to be "solid" so you could hammer the tangs in?

[RoyceP]

I gather that putting a socket on top of the bushing and using the press you were forcing the whole affair to be "solid" so you could hammer the tangs in?

Right. When you have a press you find more and more ways to use it. I find deep sockets and regular sockets to be very useful too combined with the press. Blocks of steel too.