Author Topic: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?  (Read 5396 times)

Offline Brian Conway

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69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« on: January 18, 2017, 11:50:14 AM »
Got a little curious about these when forum member Armond posted in the ' Parts Wanted " section these photos of originals ?  Of course the ones on my 69 don't look like these and I would like to correct that if I can.  Measurements of the rods, on my car, reveals that they are 13/16's" round and at the treaded portion they are 11/16's " round.  The rubbers in Armonds pictures seem to carry a C8 number and that's about all I can get from the photos.  The other photo is of an ebay auction.  This, ebay, part has printed instructions on the front, a part number, a solid tube pressed onto the washer and claims to be 11/16's " round ?  Any information on this ?  Thanks,  Brian
« Last Edit: January 18, 2017, 11:53:38 AM by Brian Conway »
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Offline krelboyne

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #1 on: January 18, 2017, 01:31:07 PM »
Aren't the big washers a big block thing?
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Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #2 on: January 18, 2017, 01:33:49 PM »
Aren't the big washers a big block thing?
Strut rod washers are the same regardless of big block or small block regardless of year.
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Offline Armond

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #3 on: January 18, 2017, 04:20:36 PM »
Here are a few pics.  You can see the replacement washers are bigger and came from a D0oz kit.  The smaller washers are 69's.  The two sleeves are 68/69. I am not sure about 67.  I have a couple of cars here with the originals still in-tacked and I don't want to take them off. I needed these for my R code coupe as my originals are pitted.  These I found are nice and at the moment just glass beaded.  I will Phosphate before used.  When you take a original strut rod off you can see that Ford must have used a crimping machine to install the bushings because the thinner aluminum sleeve is crimped around the back washer.   I don't have a picture of this unfortunately.  The bushings I currently have are marked D0oa and C8oa.   I am still looking for two non ribbed C8oa-3A140-A bushings.
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Offline Armond

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #4 on: January 18, 2017, 04:40:26 PM »
I remembered I have a 70 parts car that still has the strut rod bushings still in place.  You can see how the front sleeve is crimped against the back sleeve.  I think that Ford did this to pre load the bushings so save time when it came to alignment etc.
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Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #5 on: January 18, 2017, 04:41:59 PM »
67 has a slightly different profile when compared with 69 when viewed on edge from what i have seen..
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #6 on: January 18, 2017, 04:45:11 PM »
Have never seen washers with markings indicating "this side forward" or similar on original washers but almost always on replacement examples.

Markings on the rubber bushings can be between NOS (service parts) and originals and there may be some variations if more than one supplier was used and in those cases we should find differences between plants (east to west)

Just posted a group of pictures in another thread covering the disassembly (well partical) of my 69 Boss of the original strut rod bushings that might help address some questions so posting a duplicate set of pictures here also - Hope it helps

Face of front strut rod washer and bushing. Seen a few rattle can passes of black paint over its short 30K miles  :( But it did protect the finish under the black. You can still make out the blue (often found teal also) peeking out through a chip or two in the black. This end is the thinner end of the long inner liner that is forced over to hold the bushing and washers in place and the easier of the two to rework/remove




Back side of the bushing assembly - more black rattle can




After the lip of the inner steel liner was removed with a careful application of a small grinder and some hand tools the assembly (minus front bushing) reassembled to show the order and direction of each bushing as found on car.




Both longer and shorter inner steel liners together




Just the shorter liner. Notice the small amount of markings on the lip of the liner at the bottom




Front and rear washers (painted is the forward washer) Front washer shows a "flying" F in a circle. This "maker's mark" can be found on washers used on both small and big suspension strut washers built at Dearborn at least




C8OA-3A140B rubber insulator markings




Inverted T and a HOC (possibly supplier) markings




Engineering numbers




C8OA-3A225A rubber insulator markings (bottom most is the original)








« Last Edit: December 18, 2022, 07:35:17 PM by J_Speegle »
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Offline Brian Conway

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #7 on: January 18, 2017, 05:42:48 PM »
Well Ok.  The pictures and explanations for the originals are very clear.  The ones on my car are most likely the same as the ebay example and I am going to guess are an early aftermarket replacement set.  The aftermarket set has the rear washer and tube backwards from the OE examples as well as having the stamped instructions on the fronts.  Thanks Brian
« Last Edit: January 18, 2017, 05:47:19 PM by Brian Conway »
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Offline Bob Gaines

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #8 on: January 18, 2017, 07:30:03 PM »
Well Ok.  The pictures and explanations for the originals are very clear.  The ones on my car are most likely the same as the ebay example and I am going to guess are an early aftermarket replacement set.  The aftermarket set has the rear washer and tube backwards from the OE examples as well as having the stamped instructions on the fronts.  Thanks Brian
Most likely replacements for the reasons you mentioned. I have never gotten a clear understanding for the reverse cupping of the rear washer. It is a common mistake in assemblyline restorations. I never paid much attention given I wasn't going to duplicate the placement. Anyone?
Bob Gaines,Shelby enthusiast, Shelby collector , Shelby concours judge SAAC,MCA,Mid America Shelby

Offline specialed

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #9 on: January 20, 2017, 10:36:35 AM »
There are 5 different strut rod bushing & washer sets & 4 different strut rods between 67 & 70 depending on the year model & when it was built & suspension changes using different washers  & 2 types of sleeves & several different bushings & hardware changes & some kits have mixed parts from other kits.

Offline Brian Conway

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #10 on: January 07, 2018, 08:12:02 PM »
Re-visiting this topic to ask if there is a correct or approved ' strut rod bushing and washers " repair/restoration assembly available ?  I just did the bushings on my 65 with the Drake C4DZ-3A187-A bushings using my OE washers.  The 69 washers seem to be more ' cupped ' than the 65's ?  The crimped inner tube seems to make this restoration a bit more difficult ?  I intend to use the Drake C6OZ-3A187-A bushings.  Any comment on their accuracy.  Thanks, Brian
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Offline J_Speegle

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #11 on: January 07, 2018, 08:57:55 PM »
Sure we will get a number of comments on this subject

  I just did the bushings on my 65 with the Drake C4DZ-3A187-A bushings using my OE washers.  The 69 washers seem to be more ' cupped ' than the 65's ?  The crimped inner tube seems to make this restoration a bit more difficult ? 

Yes the washers are different as are the bushings and such

When I removed my original strut bushings and replaced them a few years back and I did a few pictures of them side by side with the reproduction I choose at that time

Not sure what they used to make the reproductions from but here are some pictures










Second rubber insulator/bushing As you can see a difference in height or thickness depending on how you have it positioned. Not sure if the consent pressure/compression from being installed deforms the shape over time just comparing the two.







Markings were different in a couple of ways.





Found this older thread - but as always things change as far as availability, supply and such
« Last Edit: January 07, 2018, 11:07:14 PM by J_Speegle »
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Offline Armond

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #12 on: January 07, 2018, 09:21:36 PM »
Jack at dead nuts on is right now in the process of reproducing the bushings, the C8OA's and the C6OA's.  I am not sure where he is at with the process, I just know some time ago he hooked up with a manufacture using NOS originals to start the process. 
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Offline Brian Conway

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #13 on: January 08, 2018, 12:28:51 AM »
In Jeff's 2017 post the #6 photo comment says ' with Flying F'.  Doesn't seem evident in any of the other photos ?  Will be interesting to see the Dead Nuts On version.   

FWIW; the assembly on my car, the one with the backward washer, appear to be the MOOG K8157 model see picture.  Brian
« Last Edit: January 08, 2018, 03:13:05 PM by Brian Conway »
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Offline Brian Conway

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Re: 69 Strut Rod Bushing/washers ?
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2018, 05:05:03 PM »
Got a Drake reproduction Strut Rod Bushing Kit C6OZ-3A187-AR.  Would like to share a couple pictures and get your thoughts ?  The washers seem to be decent reproductions with a smooth greyish finish.  Looking at and comparing to Jeff's pictures these rubber bushings also look close to authentic.  Compression and nut torque will play a part here ?  The center pipe/tube is about 2.5" long and may be to short ?  No crimping involved.  The over all assembly is about 3.5"  Brian
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