So I got the premium strut rod bushings from WCCC. No instructions in the box and they differ from the stock setup somewhat so I’m looking for a little help with how they go together. There seem to be a lot of opinions out there but I trust the folks on this forum more than anyone else.
In the assembly manual, it shows the cupped washers both having their convex faces away from the frame mount. However, some seem to advocate for turning the rear (control arm side) washer the other way like this:
I found this image on the Stang-it forum - the bushing arrangement would be the same for Cougars as Mustangs at the front end of the strut rod. Where the strut rod connects to the LCA, of course the 1967 Cougar ( if the stock strut rod is still in place ) would be different as it utilizes an articulated ( to dampen road vibration ) connection, with an additional bushing.
It would appear that your third image is the correct configuration. Hope this helps.
Not sure I would call them “Premium”, unless you add the word JUNK after it. These fall apart & the bushing is of incorrect compound. I have removed soooo many of these over the years. The bushing will fail & then the noise & tire wear will start.
Here are some pics of the Strut rod housing’s the steel roll sleeve that fails due to wear, rust, and the other type of replacement bushing. In the pic is a pair of Moog improved bushings.
Steve, there’s nothing wrong with the ones you bought. If I can get past the earth-moving going on here to my '68, I’ll check how I put them in last year. The '68 shop manual doesn’t unambiguously settle how to install today’s aftermarket ones, since its only figure shows a different style factory washer…
Since I do both the work and the alignment myself, paying a shop isn’t a consideration. We’ll see how the stuff lasts; I only drag race, no open course stuff, which I’d regard as light duty!
I recommend you look at the high performance aftermarket adjustable strut rods by Street or Track. They replace the elastomer/rubber bushings with a rod end. Shaun, the owner of Street or Track races his ‘66 Mustang coupe and understands exactly how vintage Mustang’s and Cougar’s suspensions can be improved. I installed them on my car when I replaced the front suspension. Shaun’s products have been featured in articles in the Mustang mags and online. He has a solid presence and customer base on the Vintage Mustang Forum and is a great guy to discuss your project with. No pressure to buy at all.
I have only used the Moog kits and OEM Fomoco stuff. So I don’t really have an opinion on the SD stuff except to say their track record has not been stellar. The Moog K8157 kit is really good stuff and around $50.
I do recommend against polyurethane strut rod bushings as I have seen strut rods break on cars so equipped. If you must spend more money on this area of your car the hinged strut rod idea is much more sound than making the strut rod flex until it fails.
Around here it costs more like $125 for an alignment so my vote is to do it once and do it right.
If you want to get really crazy, here is a link to making your own heim jointed strut rods I designed and made for a 69 Mustang that I used to own. They worked great and you don’t need a bushing anymore.
Back to Steve’s original question on the washers. On my early production 67 when I took the front end apart for cleaning and detailing, the rear washers were with the cup away from the bushing like Steve’s first picture. IDK if that’s right or wrong, but that’s how they were.
