[jaxhome]

Recently I had been asking for help finding the correct control arm bushings for an aftermarket mustang II front end on a 34 coupe I had purchased. All the tubular arms had been chromed and were in a box minus all the bushings. I called Fatman and Heidts, but no luck. Someone had suggested I use the bushings from the 4 bar system. The diameter is correct. Problem is the length. Now I'm trying to buy some 1/2 inch id. by 3/4 inch od. stock. I figure it has to be case hardened if it's for bushings. I can't find anyone that sells the case hardened bushing stock in lengths that I can cut for my needs. .

[Deuce]

As I understand this..........you bought the A arms from someone other the the original supplier. Do you know who the original supplier is or can you find out?

I bought a set of bushings from TCI ....the chassis folks. They also sell polished Stainless A arms......with bushings installed

.

[jaxhome]

Called TCI. The first thing out of their mouth was, it's not mine. At least Fatman and Heidts talked to me and listened, then said it wasn't theirs. TCI spent 5 minutes telling me that people constantly mistake front suspensions as theirs, even though it's not. I have no choice but to go a different route and improvise. My question is: do the metal bushings that go through the urethane pieces have to be case hardened???

[ckucia]

If you have access to a small lathe, I wonder if you could buy bushings that had the correct diameter insert, and then cut down the O.D. to match your application.

I believe you can cut urethane on a lathe if you take your time. Freezing the bushing before machining it might help.

Just an idea...

[30desoto]

jaxhome
I have a question for you, did you take your control arm down to like NAPA and have them try to match a set of bushing for you?
30dee

[jaxhome]

I've taken these parts everywhere. I've put pictures on this site. No one has ever seen a mustang II lower control arm that is one single round shaft.

[30desoto]

jaxhome
If I understand you correctly that the mustange ll bushing fit the control arms that you have but the length is too long, can you take a set of bushing to a machine shop and have them cut and rethread the length. This is just a thought but if the bushings fit but just too long it should be fairly easy to size them.
30dee

[jaxhome]

No, the metal sleeves are too short. I have been told by numerous people that the metal sleeves have to be case hardened. Others have said no way, the metal sleeves are only there to prevent the crushing of the urethane bushings.. Anyone know for sure?????

[30desoto]

jaxhome
I'm not sure if this is what your looking for but this company can make them to size also, and yes I believe they need to be case hardend.
30dee






http://www.invert-a-bolt.com/shop_cmc17.shtml

[lamothe1]

I know you're getting answers both way, buy it seams to me that case hardened wouldn't be correct. All the stock cars I've replaced bushings in had a mild steel sleeve around the bushing. If it was hardened the "A" arm would have to expand to let the hardened bushing be pressed in. Id find a bushing that has a nice tight press fit and go with it. Also if the tube is say 6" long and the bushings are 2", you don't really care about the difference because the shaft is riding on each bushing.