Strut Rod Bushings - OEM vs Aftermarket
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=7548
Printed Date: 26-March-2026 at 5:42PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Strut Rod Bushings - OEM vs Aftermarket
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Subject: Strut Rod Bushings - OEM vs Aftermarket
Date Posted: 19-June-2012 at 9:32AM
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I am still in the process of rebuilding the front end on my car as time allows. I just got a Moog strut rod bushing kit. They seem to be installed the opposite of the factory bushings. In addition the washer on the strut arm (the one at furtherest from the nut) is reversed so that the cup faces away from the bushing. I had my strut rod arms and OEM washers poweder coated, so I would like to use them. Further, the washer furtherest from the nut on my factory strut rod is welded in place by the factoy, I cannot remove it. Do you think running the Moog bushings oriented as Moog instructs with the OEM washers will cause any issues? Thanks. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Replies:
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 20-June-2012 at 2:06PM
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Anyone at all? Someone must have used Moog strut arm bushings here. All I want to do is used them with OEM washers. Is this possible? ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: GranTorinoSport
Date Posted: 24-June-2012 at 7:50PM
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I've done it before but I don't think the MOOG set is intented to be installed in the factory orientation. It will fit, it does seem much tighter when you are putting the parts together.
Overall on my 75 it seemed to work fine. But I'm not sure if it is putting stress on other parts, etc. My opinion is that if the assembly is correctly tightented, then you are getting the proper tension and deflection as intended, even if the fit is a little off. ------------- Scott Eklund Webmaster |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 25-June-2012 at 1:40AM
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I think the Moog washers need to go backwards. At least on the Clydesdale Mustangs, they do.. http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/620983-real-world-65-strut-rod-bushings-experience-please.html" rel="nofollow - http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/vintage-mustang-forum/620983-real-world-65-strut-rod-bushings-experience-please.html
------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 28-June-2012 at 5:42AM
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I have some photos comparing stock to moog parts. Here are the Stock vs Moog. Note that Moog has the metal sleeve not included with stock.  Here are the Moog installed with the factory washers oriented the factory way. This is how I want to install them. I don't see a problem with this method.  Here are the factory bushings and washers  Here is how moog wants them installed. Note that the inner washer on my strut arm seems to have been welded so I couldn't remove it.  ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Psquare75
Date Posted: 28-June-2012 at 2:07PM
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That's the problem your inner washer shouldn't be welded. I wonder if that's a 72 thing? I've never seen that before. ------------- Paul 77 XR7 460/C6/3.00:1 *SOLD* 78 XR7 523/C6/3.5:1 79 F100 460/TKO500/3.25:1 'I also have some left over potatoes-I understand you can generate electricity from them'- Foote500 |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 28-June-2012 at 3:29PM
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Yeah, I know it shouldn't be, but it looks like it is. I tried to seperate them when I took the car apart and they won't budge. They were pretty mint to, virtually rust free and nothing was seized. It looks like they are welded. They were sand blasted and still rock solid afterwards. My car is an Oakville built car, not sure if that makes any difference. Do you think there will be any issues running these bushings like I posted? ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 28-June-2012 at 6:48PM
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Ditch the inner moog washer, and good to go. Older shot of mine from 3-4 years ago.  -------------  Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 29-June-2012 at 6:05AM
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Thanks Andy! I didn't think it would cause a problem. There seems to be as much or more clearance around the bushing and washer compared to the OEM units, and the Moog bushings are FAR stiffer than the OEM ones (although I am sure age is a factor). Were the inner washers on your car welded in place too? I wonder if that was a 1972 thing... ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: Eliteman76
Date Posted: 01-July-2012 at 5:35PM
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Honestly, I don't know. I think they were loose. I pulled 4 more strut rods out of storage today cleaning up things, and all were tagged 1972, and washers were loose. ------------- Andrew:GTS.ORG admin, '72 Q code 5 speed RestomodPondering: #99Problems |
Posted By: The Torino Kid
Date Posted: 21-June-2025 at 11:50AM
Do youi still have the part number for these Moog's? ty ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport CJ 351 'Q' code 63R body |
72FordGTS wrote:Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 24-June-2025 at 2:04AM
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The part number is K8207. I am not sure if they are still available as Moog seems to have really reduced their product line since the original post. We have all the Moog part numbers listed here: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/suspension-part-numbers-stock-replacement_topic17118.html" rel="nofollow - https://forum.grantorinosport.org/suspension-part-numbers-stock-replacement_topic17118.html ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: The Torino Kid
Date Posted: 24-June-2025 at 7:41AM
so since the k8207 is no longer available, i havent seen an alternative discussed yet for these. I have the poly's but now that Ive been reading they have a tendacy to snap the strut rods and Im not interested in buying the high end adjustable ones. ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport CJ 351 'Q' code 63R body |
Posted By: Inkara1
Date Posted: 24-June-2025 at 10:00AM
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Rare Parts sells them. https://www.rareparts.com/MNFA689-16337-STRUT-ROD-BUSHING" rel="nofollow - https://www.rareparts.com/MNFA689-16337-STRUT-ROD-BUSHING ------------- 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. |
Posted By: Rockatansky
Date Posted: 24-June-2025 at 10:22AM
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O'Reilly's shows a complete kit available, competitive with Rare Parts after shipping https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/precision-chassis/precision-chassis-strut-rod-bushing/opm0/k8207" rel="nofollow - https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c/precision-chassis/precision-chassis-strut-rod-bushing/opm0/k8207 ------------- 72 GT Ute |
Posted By: 72FordGTS
Date Posted: 24-June-2025 at 12:47PM
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Rockauto shows the precision kit is available but out of stock. It cross references to HB1064K which is used by Napa and TRW. Try doing some searches for that part number too. ------------- Vince 1972 Ford GTS Sportsroof - Survivor, One Family car GTS.org Admin |
Posted By: The Torino Kid
Date Posted: 25-June-2025 at 7:01AM
thanks for the link.  ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport CJ 351 'Q' code 63R body |
Posted By: The Torino Kid
Date Posted: 25-June-2025 at 7:02AM
i appreciate the link. thank you. ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport CJ 351 'Q' code 63R body |
Posted By: The Torino Kid
Date Posted: 25-June-2025 at 7:08AM
found it on ebay, thank you. ------------- 1973 Gran Torino Sport CJ 351 'Q' code 63R body |