Apologies to Opentracker

[Jayru 17]

A rear sway bar would sure cut down on the body roll and would be a good place to start. I would try that first. It would cost the least and take the least amout of time.

 

It may not fix all the issues though. Old springs aren't as big of a problem as worn out bushings. If the springs are stock and using the stock shackle kit and the front bushing, that could cause the rear end to float from side to side giving that odd feeling. Worn bushings will also increase the body roll.

 

 

The Del-Alum leaf spring bushing kit from Global West is an option. It replaces the stock rubber bushings with greaseable solid bushings. They free up the rear suspension much like the roller parts do up front. With solid bushings, the rear end won't float from side to side and there is less need for a sway bar and panhard bar.

 

I think you may be on to something with the rear bushings. Thinking about it more... My car has a great ride height in the rear and feels very stiff, so i don't think the leaf springs are worn/sagging.

 

I noticed/checked the stiffness while pushing up/down on the car yesterday. But... something weird happened, when i pushed up/down on a sideways angle i heard a clunk and it seemed like the rear stepped out ever so slightly. Could this be the bushings allowing the side to side movement of the rear?

 

I've also always heard a quick rubbing noise under rear suspension load/unload from the DS rear. I've checked numerous times and have never found the spot that was rubbing. I'm wondering now if it's the front spring mount hitting the frame or something (because the bushing is worn)?

 

What do you think? How much are those Del-Alum leaf spring bushing kit's?

[Opentracker 4]

It sounds like new bushings would be the way to go. Adding a new sway bar would not stop that noise or the rear end movement from side to side. You won't need the rear sway bar with the Del-Alum kit, or I would at least run the car without one first to see how it drives. The Del-Alum kit acts like a sway bar, pahnard bar and roller rear as far as what it does to the rear suspension. The kit is the same price from Mustangs Plus or Global West - $220 ish + shipping. You will need to know the size of the front bushing. Aftermarket springs have a smaller front bushing than the original springs. GW makes two kits to fit both kinds of springs.

 

You'll want to read this thread from the VMF.

 

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/610268-global-west-leaf-springs-del-alum-bushings-installed-whew.html

 

 

Mustangs Plus

https://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1076&cat=2135&page=1

 

Global West

http://www.globalwest.net/1964-73_Mustang_rear_leaf_springs_and_shackle_bushings_kits.htm

[Opentracker 4]

It sounds like new bushings would be the way to go. Adding a new sway bar would not stop that noise or the rear end movement from side to side. You won't need the rear sway bar with the Del-Alum kit, or I would at least run the car without one first to see how it drives. The Del-Alum kit acts like a sway bar, pahnard bar and roller rear as far as what it does to the rear suspension. The kit is the same price from Mustangs Plus or Global West - $220 ish + shipping. You will need to know the size of the front bushing. Aftermarket springs have a smaller front bushing than the original springs. GW makes two kits to fit both kinds of springs.

 

You'll want to read this thread from the VMF.

 

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/610268-global-west-leaf-springs-del-alum-bushings-installed-whew.html

 

 

Mustangs Plus

https://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1076&cat=2135&page=1

 

Global West

http://www.globalwest.net/1964-73_Mustang_rear_leaf_springs_and_shackle_bushings_kits.htm

[Jayru 17]

It sounds like new bushings would be the way to go. Adding a new sway bar would not stop that noise or the rear end movement from side to side. You won't need the rear sway bar with the Del-Alum kit, or I would at least run the car without one first to see how it drives. The Del-Alum kit acts like a sway bar, pahnard bar and roller rear as far as what it does to the rear suspension. The kit is the same price from Mustangs Plus or Global West - $220 ish + shipping. You will need to know the size of the front bushing. Aftermarket springs have a smaller front bushing than the original springs. GW makes two kits to fit both kinds of springs.

 

You'll want to read this thread from the VMF.

 

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/610268-global-west-leaf-springs-del-alum-bushings-installed-whew.html

 

 

Mustangs Plus

https://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1076&cat=2135&page=1

 

Global West

http://www.globalwest.net/1964-73_Mustang_rear_leaf_springs_and_shackle_bushings_kits.htm

 

 

Thanks! I'm going to order a set and see what happens.

 

I think I'm good on the leaf bushing size as Global West's site reads - "Part# 106SH fits all 1967-73 Mustangs and all aftermarket leaf springs including 1964-66"

[Jayru 17]

It sounds like new bushings would be the way to go. Adding a new sway bar would not stop that noise or the rear end movement from side to side. You won't need the rear sway bar with the Del-Alum kit, or I would at least run the car without one first to see how it drives. The Del-Alum kit acts like a sway bar, pahnard bar and roller rear as far as what it does to the rear suspension. The kit is the same price from Mustangs Plus or Global West - $220 ish + shipping. You will need to know the size of the front bushing. Aftermarket springs have a smaller front bushing than the original springs. GW makes two kits to fit both kinds of springs.

 

You'll want to read this thread from the VMF.

 

http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/610268-global-west-leaf-springs-del-alum-bushings-installed-whew.html

 

 

Mustangs Plus

https://www.mustangsplus.com/xcart/product.php?productid=1076&cat=2135&page=1

 

Global West

http://www.globalwest.net/1964-73_Mustang_rear_leaf_springs_and_shackle_bushings_kits.htm

 

 

Thanks! I'm going to order a set and see what happens.

 

I think I'm good on the leaf bushing size as Global West's site reads - "Part# 106SH fits all 1967-73 Mustangs and all aftermarket leaf springs including 1964-66"

[Jayru 17]

Just an update - Got the springs out today and it seems the rear bushings/shackles were replaced, but they left the original front ones in.

 

The front bushings don't look disintegrated or anything, but i can see tons of stress cracks in the rubber.

 

I'm hoping this was the clunk from the rear i was hearing when i released the clutch and shifted (front bushings stretching allowing the pinion angle to change/rear to move).

 

Not sure if this will correct the rear feeling like it's stepping out in a corner though. I should have the bushings in by the weekend and will update then.

[Jayru 17]

Just an update - Got the springs out today and it seems the rear bushings/shackles were replaced, but they left the original front ones in.

 

The front bushings don't look disintegrated or anything, but i can see tons of stress cracks in the rubber.

 

I'm hoping this was the clunk from the rear i was hearing when i released the clutch and shifted (front bushings stretching allowing the pinion angle to change/rear to move).

 

Not sure if this will correct the rear feeling like it's stepping out in a corner though. I should have the bushings in by the weekend and will update then.

[wantahertzdonut 10]

I have the GW Del-A-Lum bushings and shackle kit in my car, and it definitely makes the car feel more solid. I also have 5-leaf springs, so the ride is stiff but not harsh.

 

A word on the GW bushings, installing them is a pain. You'll probably need to press them in. Also, if you get new springs, order them without bushings if you're able to. Most of all, be absolutely certain of the clocking of the grease fittings, especially the ones that go in the frame rail. If they're off, you'll never get them to move into a better position and you'll never reach the fitting with your grease gun.

[Jayru 17]

Hey Guys - Please see this thread for some problems i'm having after the bushing install. Any help is appreciated!

 

http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=7867

[Jayru 17]

So I've gotten some decent seat time in with the new rear bushings and all i can say is WOW!

 

I'd definitely recommend these to anyone. Like John (Opentracker) said to me, they're like roller spring perches for the rear. That statement couldn't be more true.

 

The ride is smooth even on rough roads now, gone is that jerky feeling from the rear when hitting bumps/potholes... Body roll has been virtually eliminated in the turns, the whole car just feels tight now! And my car doesn't have a lowered stance either, so it feels this way even with a higher center of gravity than it probably should have (for autocross anyway).

 

I've been blasting down some back roads hitting s-curves and 90 degree rights/lefts at some serious speed and the car just stays flat and feels solid/predictable. The rear follows the front nicely now (before with stock/worn bushings it felt like the rear was trying to step out to the side of the car on turns). I just point the front tires where i want to go and the car just follows through.

 

Definitely put these bushings in BEFORE you buy/install a rear sway bar. I couldn't be more happy!

[Angel 24]

I noticed a huge difference when I installed my rear 7/8" sway bar. Car stays flat. Now Im curious how these aluminum bushings would feel in conjunction with what I have. I was planning on just installing the heavy duty "racing" shackles but I might go with these instead. Besides, even if they only just make the ride smoother, whats better than a firm, sporty, flat ride that's also smooth and bearable?