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Recommended Suspension Bushings for MN12's and FN10's

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#1 · (Edited)
Recommended suspension bushings for MN12’s and FN10’s
Written by: Rod Maksimovich (Racecougar)​




Whether you prefer a smooth, stock ride, or something a bit firmer and performance oriented, after twenty-plus years of service, all of these cars deserve a thorough inspection and possibly replacement of the various bushings throughout the front and rear suspension systems. Let’s dive right in and see what we’re dealing with, and what our replacement options are.

Front anti-sway bar mount bushings:
Whether we’re dealing with a stock anti-sway bar or one of the offerings from ADDCO, Energy Suspension has you covered here. They offer a channeled, greaseable, polyurethane bushing, along with mount saddles and grease zerks that is leaps and bounds superior to both the stock rubber bushings and the “hogged out” poly bushings supplied with the ADDCO bars.

In the photo below, a 1-1/4” Energy Suspension bushing/mount is on the left. On the right is what you would receive with a 1-1/4” ADDCO anti-sway bar. If you look closely, you’ll notice that it is a 1-1/16” bushing that has been bored out to fit the 1-1/4” bar, leaving behind a rough, grippy surface without any channels for grease retention. These bushings, as well as the factory original rubber bushings, tend to squeak and resist movement. Gratuitous use of grease during assembly only delays the onset of this annoyance.



Notice the chart below, found at the following link: Energy Suspension Universal Sway Bar Bushings

For the front anti-sway bar, you want to stick to the bushings in the right column of the chart. For example, with a 1-1/4” ADDCO bar, you would order part number 9.5172. If you are using a stock bar, measure the diameter of the bar with a set of calipers at the bushing location and check the chart to see if a bushing is available in the appropriate size.







Front strut rod bushings:
This is one area where a higher durometer bushing material isn’t only undesirable, it can become downright dangerous. The thermoplastic strut rod to K-member bushings are known to fail without warning, which can have serious consequences.

Just one of many reported cases of this issue: https://forums.tccoa.com/showthread.php?t=44814



I highly recommend sticking to the Motorcraft rubber bushings in this instance. You’ll need two of each of the following:

Strut rod to K Member bushings: E9SZ-3B271-A and F7SZ-3A225-AA
Strut Rod to Lower Control Arm Bushings: E9SZ3A140A and E9SZ3A140B

This wonderful set of photos with part numbers was posted by Marcus at Lincolnvscadillac.com:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/fo...-LCA-s&p=2037284674&viewfull=1#post2037284674





The strut rod to K-member bushings are still readily available on eBay. Worthy replicas of the stock strut rod to LCA bushings are available at SuperCoupePerformance.com.



Front upper control arm to shock tower bushings:
While there are polyurethane replacements available, this is an area of diminishing return. Provided that they are in satisfactory condition, the typical rubber bushings as provided in any replacement upper control arm assembly will perform sufficiently. If this is an all-out autocross or open track effort, I could understand switching over to poly.



Front lower control arm to K-member bushings:
Same as above.



Rear anti-sway bar mount bushings:
Just as the front anti-sway bar mount bushings, there is significant room for improvement here. These bushings host all the same issues, along with an additional recurring problem when a larger rear anti-sway bar is added to the mix.



When running a larger ADDCO rear anti-sway bar, broken mounts become a common problem. One solution that has worked for me in the past was to increase the thickness of the mount saddle near the bolt hole. Note the additional thickness of the mount saddle on the right side of the photo below.




An improved solution is accomplished through the use of one of Energy Suspension polyurethane bushing sets along with an easily fabricated mount plate arrangement. For the rear anti-sway bar bushings, you will want to order from the left column in the chart I posted earlier. For example, with a 1-1/4” ADDCO bar, you would order part number 9.5165. Just as before, if you are using a stock bar, measure the diameter of the bar with a set of calipers at the bushing location and check the chart to see if a bushing is available in the appropriate size.

To use the Energy Suspension bushings, you will need to create both a backing plate and a threaded plate (a nut tacked to flat stock will suffice) for each side. The backing plate will sandwich between the bushing and the IRS cradle, while the threaded plate will provide a location for the rear mounting bolt to attach to.





Rear upper control arm to IRS cradle bushings:
This bushing has a keyed, eccentric core. Rotating the core by turning the bolt securing it to the IRS cradle provides rear camber adjustment. However, this bushing is very commonly skipped over by the unknowledgeable alignment tech at the typical tire chain store. This bushing is notorious in a few other ways as well. As it wears, it allows the top of the rear tire to move inward/outward, affecting the rear camber. It often results in a “loose” feeling similar to a failing rear wheel bearing. It has also has caused some trouble due to a well-circulated replacement bushing of a flawed design. Both the correct, original design and the flawed replacement have shown up in the same packaging, under the same part numbers, through multiple brands. The only way to be certain you're receiving the correct part is to open the box(es) prior to payment and verifying visually.

This is the bushing you DON'T want to install:


Those consist of a metal core with a off-center, elliptical, hole inside a metal sleeve which is rubber bonded to an outer shell. Turning the inner core via the bolt allows for camber adjustment, however with the sleeve bonded to the outer shell, the control arm can't move without winding up the bushing. Whoever designed/manufactured the bushing either didn't grasp or simply disregarded the original, correct design; something that seems to happen all too often when it comes to aftermarket parts. Installing these bushings results in a relatively harsh ride and very limited rear suspension travel.


This is the bushing you DO want to install (original design):


Those allow camber adjustment and full range of motion without windup, just as they should.


Rear lower control arm to IRS cradle bushings:
This is one area where we can significantly reduce the vehicle’s tendency to wheelhop by changing the bushing material. Under heavy acceleration, the stock rubber bushings, along with toe link compensators that are typically past their prime, allow the control arm to deflect forward, at which point the tire breaks traction, the bushings rebound, and the cycle repeats rapidly. Removing this “give” will prevent this movement, which is a step in the right direction when it comes to reducing wheelhop and undesired rear toe changes.

I recommend replacing these bushings with a harder material, such as the greaseable, Delrin bushings with hard anodized aluminum sleeves offered through a few individuals. Polyurethane will offer an improvement over the stock rubber bushings, however the harder Delrin material is better suited for this location.

This is the lower control arm bushing kit that Doug (RIP) offered:



Photos borrowed from his website: http://home.comcast.net/~dlfraleigh/Delrin/TBirdLCADelrinBushingKit.pdf

Rear knuckle to upper and lower control arm bushings:
Just as the lower control arm to IRS cradle bushings, replacing the stock rubber knuckle bushings with a harder material can be advantageous. Once again, Delrin is better suited to the task than polyurethane, and a few individuals also produce a nice greaseable set with hard anodized aluminum sleeves.

This is the knuckle bushing kit Doug (RIP) offered:



Photos borrowed from his website:
http://home.comcast.net/~dlfraleigh/Delrin/KnuckleDelrinBushingKit.pdf


Differential mounting:
This is yet another area that deserves some attention in regards to reducing undesired movement. The stock rubber mounts allow the differential case to move significantly under heavy acceleration, especially as they age/fail. Replacing these components with a quality polyurethane will make a notable reduction in differential case movement, which is a step in the right direction. There are a number of suppliers of both polyurethane and aluminum differential case to IRS mounts. The aluminum mounts will prevent any movement of the case, however they may result in a noticeable increase in NVH.

When it comes to the rear mount, which attaches to both the IRS cradle and the differential cover, there are a few different paths. One common, and cost-effective, method is to simply place a bolt through the rear mount, preventing the inner and outer halves from moving in relation to one another.


Another relatively new option is to run a polyurethane bushing in a alternative mount design, such as the one offered by Performance Art Works. If you’re handy with a welder, you can make your own at home without much difficulty using a polyurethane 4-link end and some flat stock.



Pictures from SCP: https://supercoupeperformance.com/partBrowser.aspx?partId=833


Regardless of what method you choose to employ, I highly recommend either reinforcing the differential cover with a diff cover brace or replacing the cover with a sturdier version. LPW, FRPP, Fore Innovations, and Control Freak all offer heavy duty differential covers, and far, far more suppliers of differential cover braces exist.

The LPW cover:


Without bracing or replacing the stock differential cover, you run the risk of snapping the mount right off.



I hope that this short intro to MN12/FN10 suspension bushings proves helpful to you when choosing the proper replacement parts for your vehicle.
 
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Discussion starter · #10 ·
Thanks guys!

does performance art works still sell that rear diff mount? I checked their site and didn't see it on there.
You'd have to contact them. Bill Evanoff was/is selling it as well at SCP.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Discussion starter · #18 ·
Thanks Rod. As for the Upper control arm to frame bushing, do we have a recommended vendor that I can order from that will definitely send the correct part? I've noticed several companies and even on Super Coupe Peformance's website, that the picture shows the wrong style, the one that causes bushing windup.
Bill Evanoff at SCP guarantees that he only stocks the correct bushing. Otherwise, stick to buying them locally after seeing them in person.


Sounds like a plan. When it comes to pressing out the old bushings, would a tool such as this be effective? http://m.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/steering/bushingbearing-set-68971.html
That won't work well. I'd suggest using a shop press or a large bench vise.
 
Discussion starter · #24 ·
Just curious as to "why"? They seem slightly different in size, but why would the 9.5165 not work in the front (as an example)?
Height. Notice the 3/4" vs 1-1/8" dimension. You may be able to make one from the right column fit on the rear, but you'll have more trouble than it's worth trying to get one from the left column fit the front. As it is, with the 1-1/4" ADDCO bar and 9.5172 bushing up front, you'll have to place the shaft collars correctly so that the bolt heads do not contact the K-member as the bar rotates with suspension travel.

Beyond that, the ones on the right are a good fit for the front. The ones on the left are a good fit for the rear. Why struggle to make one fit the other?
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Nope. By design, the rear anti-sway bar doesn't require the additional lateral locating that the front anti-sway bar does.
 
Discussion starter · #28 ·
No problem. McMaster-Carr should have you covered on the split collars. Just watch your O.D.
 
Discussion starter · #31 ·
I'm not certain what you mean by OEM specs and sizing. These are bolt on parts, but it's visually obvious that they are not exactly the same as stock. The aftermarket diff covers will work with the stock or alternative rear mount, but they negate both the necessity and the ability to use a diff cover brace.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
The design flaw in those inner rear UCA bushings has nothing to do with adjustment. They don't allow movement of the UCA without windup. I would recommend returning them and purchasing a set of the correct design. Regardless, you will need an alignment after touching the inner UCA bolt.
 
Discussion starter · #36 ·
You should be able to contact Bill through his site. RockAuto is another source, as it seems everyone has had good luck with the Raybestos version. Others have gone the local auto parts store route, opening the boxes before purchase to confirm that they're buying the correct design.
 
Discussion starter · #38 ·
Who's selling them for $15? That's awfully cheap for those bushings.
 
Discussion starter · #42 ·
Had them on Rockauto for that under the Raybestos and the picture matched the design. That was without shipping of course.
What part number did you purchase? It should be 5701001. The Raybestos bushings listed on RockAuto in the $15 range are all for locations other than the rear inner UCA.
 
Discussion starter · #45 ·
It isn't difficult. Press the center out, then cave the shell in with a chisel and it drops out. The new bushings press right in place.
 
Discussion starter · #48 ·
What bushings are you working with? The Delrin knuckle bushings shown in this writeup were designed to be greasable, as they left a small grease passage between the bushing halves along with grease grooves in the I.D.
 
Discussion starter · #50 ·
Ive got a question:
Where did you put the zerk fittings? I'm talking Angle to the flat part, I know where the grease goes.

It above better than below, or neither, or is there a "Best Spot"?

I am currently modding a set of knuckles and mark rear arms; Poly and delrin. :)

OT: RaceCougar, you ever make aluminum mark spring mounts?
Really, as long as they're accessible, you're set. You can see where I placed them on my car in the pics below. I placed them in the same spots on Neibert's '91 SC, as well.




I have, but I don't intend to in the future.
 
Discussion starter · #55 ·
The upper inner rear control arm bushings press into the control arms from one direction. The bushing flange should mate up to the flat side of the control arm, not the side with the lip.

Please post pictures of the knuckle bushings you're working with to illustrate the issue.
 
Discussion starter · #58 ·
Not with the 1-1/4" front bar. If you're running the 1-3/8" bar, you may need to use one spacer to get the split-lock collars to clear the K-member.
 
Discussion starter · #60 ·
I used two of the stock rear mount bolts on each side. I'd have to pull one to tell you what thread and length they are.

Yes, 9.5169 will bolt directly in if you're running a 1-1/16" front sway bar.
 
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