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1972-76 strut rods
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1973gts View Drop Down
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    Posted: 04-August-2023 at 3:49AM
PMT Fabrication is now offering strut rod kits for 72-76 Torinos for $380.00. Rods are 4130 steel and come with poly bushings.  They offer them in either red or black. I spoke with Mark at the company and he was very informative and helpful.  They have one set in red in stock, the black ones are currently in production and should be available in 10-14 days.
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
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Points: 600 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 1973gts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04-August-2023 at 10:42AM
Also if you are needing suspension parts they also make front and rear control arms, front and rear sway bars, rear sway bar end link frame mounts, and a front end control arm kit which includes strut rods and a coil over setup (not inexpensive but looks really nice). 
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
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Points: 4938 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Eliteman76 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22-August-2023 at 3:27PM
Nice to see they make a robust looking rear sway bar mount kit. Addco could really take a lesson from these guys on the mounts.


Rear sway bar kit is a bit on the higher side, but it's nice to see some support for our cars.



Regarding the strut rod kit...I'm curious how this compares to the Hotchkiss galaxy kit?

$380.00 for the kit seems a bit up there but again, it's nice to at least see potential replacement parts finally so this is great news.
Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed Restomod
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My understanding is putting poly bushings on the stock strut rods is likely to break the rods. Can we be sure the poly bushings won't break these aftermarket rods?
1972 Gran Torino station wagon, light blue, 351C 2V, prior owner upgraded to 4V (2V heads), originally had a C4 but prior owner changed to C6 for some reason.
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That is correct with the original Ford strut rods. Mainly due to age and metal fatigue I would never run poly bushings with stock strut rods. Mopar owners also deal with this issue. 

I'd have to see if anything from the molar crowd or the galaxy crowd can confirm with modern aftermarket strut rods, if it's ok, or not advised.
The strut rod basically turns our lower arms into a giant a-arm so if that rod breaks, the tire is liable to fold back into the fender.
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Points: 600 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote 1973gts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-September-2023 at 2:45AM
Just an update, got the rods installed and a big difference in the way the car feels.  Alignment is now spot on and the looseness I felt with the old rods is gone.  Frame shop liked the workmanship on the rods.  As far as the poly bushings I am comfortable with using them compared to my originals due to the type of steel used.  As Andrew mentioned I would never put poly bushings on original rods, mine were partially rusted away in the bushing area making precise alignment adjustments with the stock rods not possible.   
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
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Points: 5658 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72FordGTS Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26-September-2023 at 3:32AM
Nice, glad that they worked out well Dave. I used the little shop spherical bearings on my OEM strut rods and noticed how much it tightened up teh front end as well.  These seem to be a good alternative, especially if your strut rods are in poor shape.

Post some pics of them if you get a chance.  I'd like to seem them installed.
Vince

1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car

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Thanks for the update Dave.

Strut rods are on my list of to-buy parts. After spending a lot of time under my GTS, they are showing their age a bit even though I blasted and shot them with POR15 about 20 years back.
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Here's some pics, first one is from the companys website.
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
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Points: 2650 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 72 RS 351 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 29-September-2023 at 10:06AM
Awesome Dave.

I love those huge end link bushings, far better than the puny things most sway bars have.
Don
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Points: 600 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 1973gts Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 30-September-2023 at 2:10AM
Thanks, Don, I've been pretty happy with "most" of the aftermarket parts I've used so far.  The suspension is one area I don't mind spending a little more on for parts because improving the handling is near the top of my list of things I wanted to improve.  I noticed on PMT's site that their front sway bar is a 1.250 bar so should be a pretty good option for someone to consider. 
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