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Author Topic: 71 front suspension help  (Read 4901 times)

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Offline L.D

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71 front suspension help
« on: February 18, 2014, 08:34:03 PM »
I purchased a rebuild kit from pst for my 71 the front upper a arm bushings are about a .050 press fit they measured 1.312 and my upper arms I/d is 1.260 is this correct or do I have a problem does any one having any upper arms with the cross shaft for a 71 they would like to sell. Thanks L.D

Offline bbobcat75

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2014, 08:40:02 PM »
have a complete front end in the 72 pinto runabout I just bought not sure if its the same as what you are looking for!?!
1975 mercury bobcat 2.8 auto
1978 mercury bobcat wagon 2.3l - soon to have a 88 tc drive line - SOLD - 🙁
1975 ford pinto - drag car - 2.3l w/t5 trans - project car

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2014, 10:00:54 PM »
LD! It sounds like you've got a 74/80 front end kit. I'll go check one I have and let you know in a few minutes.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline dick1172762

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2014, 10:19:48 PM »
LD! The one I have in the shop is 1.438 to 1.449 for the lower and 1.400 to 1.448 for the upper. Both are step'd in their diameter. I though these were for a 71/72 and now I don't know.
Its better to be a has-been, than a never was.

Offline amc49

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2014, 02:20:38 AM »
Like he says, the bushings are stepped, measure other side too. The actual pressfit will only be like .005", not .050". Try to press 50 thousandths and you will destroy part by splitting it.

Offline L.D

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2014, 10:32:48 AM »
the upper bushing is stepped 1.263 o/d on small to 1.305 on the big end up against the shoulder do the bushings get pressed all the  way in flush agaisnt the flange or stop at the bigger dia 1.305.

Offline L.D

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2014, 10:44:32 AM »
Dick i noticed the measurement you have also indicate around a .050 thousands difference from the small end to the big end there has to be a explanation on this.

Offline amc49

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #7 on: February 20, 2014, 08:05:48 PM »
They use stepped part so both sides are good and tight when done. The step allows the whole thing to be piloted, if all the same diameter then it gets tight way before the other end can pilot. Pressing that much length always loosens the fit as well. It also guarantees that the bigger washer face is on correct side, otherwise it's easy to press them in backwards by mistake.

Offline JACKAZZFLATZ

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2014, 08:23:33 AM »
I'm in the same boat as LD.  So the '74 and up is apparently different ?  Is there a source for replacements, or do i need to make my own ? 
Dont needta "go" fast, just wanna "get" there fast!

Offline oldkayaker

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2014, 10:25:47 AM »
Just to clarify, the bushing gets pressed in until the 1.3" step first makes contact with the control arm.  Stated another way: the 1.3" OD section will be visible when done.  Anyway, you can not press the bushing's 1.3" sections into the arm without bending something.

Got curious again and went looking.  A lot of the parts stores advertise parts from these "makers":

Moog has been around a long time but do not offer everything.
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/products.asp?cat=9777

Rare Parts is new to me.  They advertise everything including the lower ball joints.  Link does not work as is, need to copy and paste.
http://shop.rareparts.com/smtp/shopdisplaycategories.asp?iyear=1971&imake=0020|FORD&imodel=0479|PINTO&iproduct=0040|SUSPENSION, SPRINGS & COMPONENTS
Jerry J - Jupiter, Florida

Offline jeremysdad

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #10 on: March 12, 2014, 03:10:29 PM »
When I rebuilt mine last year, I had to source everything as individual parts. I could not find a complete kit for the 71-72 model years. Rock Auto was my best friend, as well as Ebay. Just buy brand names like Moog and Raybestos, and you'll be fine.

I got my rack and pinion from Autozone. If you search the site, you find my thread about it. :)

Neat trick a good friend taught me: You can save a few dollars removing the old bushings yourself. Just use an air chisel, they pop right out. :)

Offline Srt

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #11 on: March 12, 2014, 07:58:39 PM »
 ;D

Neat trick a good friend taught me: You can save a few dollars removing the old bushings yourself. Just use an air chisel, they pop right out. :)



that's the way i always did it. never had any issues
the only substitute for cubic inches is BOOST!!!

Offline Pinto5.0

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #12 on: March 12, 2014, 09:42:28 PM »
When I rebuilt mine last year, I had to source everything as individual parts. I could not find a complete kit for the 71-72 model years. Rock Auto was my best friend, as well as Ebay. Just buy brand names like Moog and Raybestos, and you'll be fine.

I've gotten great prices on ebay on Moog parts. 4 new lower balljoints NOS under $200 (I have 2 cars to do), new Moog uppers $10 each, upper arm bushings $20 set of 4.  Still need LCA bushings but they're fairly cheap. It just takes time to find what you need.

I got my rack and pinion from Autozone. If you search the site, you find my thread about it. :)

My 73 rack needs new inner tie rods & both boots. Advance has a rebuilt rack with warranty under $120 shipped using discount codes. I can't get inners & boots for that so it's a no brainer to buy a rebuilt. Only Autozone has the 71 rack for $136 if that's cheaper than rebuilding yours. I got outer Moog tie rod ends off ebay for my 71 for $15 a pair & I see them cheap all the time.

Neat trick a good friend taught me: You can save a few dollars removing the old bushings yourself. Just use an air chisel, they pop right out. :)

Installing upper arm bushings is easy too. A piece of angle iron cut to length to keep the sides from bending while allthread & washers is tightened to pull the bushings in. Lots of WD-40 on the allthread & bushings & you're done in 10 minutes. LCA bushing goes in with allthread, washers & a smaller chunk of angle iron to keep from bending the arm. I don't have a press so this saves money.
 
 
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Offline L.D

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #13 on: March 12, 2014, 10:23:24 PM »
jack pst makes a full kit for the 71 front end upper and lower ball joints and all the bushings not cheap but one stop shopping also fiqured out the upper bushings  only get pushed to the bigger diameter not flush 74 and use bigger bushings you can get urathene for the latter years.

Offline JACKAZZFLATZ

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Re: 71 front suspension help
« Reply #14 on: March 13, 2014, 02:34:27 PM »
Hey THANKX, EH.  I'll be getting the order in today. 
Dont needta "go" fast, just wanna "get" there fast!