Re: [Amc-list] Replacing Strut-Rod Bushings and old tires

["Armand Eshleman" <aje1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Warning well taken Ken.

Armand


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ken Ames" <ameskg@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "AMC/Rambler owners, drivers and fans." <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 2:14 AM
Subject: Re: [Amc-list] Replacing Strut-Rod Bushings and old tires


> I had a 15 or so year old tire separate on my 80 AMX today. It happened in
just
> a few seconds - from smooth to almost shaking the car apart. The tire
needed
> replacing anyway but I had hoped it wouldn't have been so spectacular. The
tire
> might have lasted longer but right in the middle of the tread where it
went
> out-of-round is a hole from an old repair. Tire was patched but not
plugged. I
> suspect the cords got wet throuhg the opening and corroded.
>
> Ken
>
>
> Quoting Armand Eshleman <aje1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
>
> > So far I have not encountered any difficulty with my poly strut rod
bushings
> > (all four pieces are poly) with the washers aligned thusly,   ( =
washer,
> > (bushing/bracket/bushing). When I pick the car up on a jack they sort of
act
> > like a droop limiter, but still the poly bushings give a bit so it
appears
> > OK. My original factory rubber bushings lasted about 100,000 miles and
about
> > 12 or so years. Then I put the car in storage for about 18 years. When
it
> > went back into cruising mode the bushings were shot but still there,
just no
> > longer had the ability to hold any true alignment.
> > I am bout to put a new set of tires or wheels and tires, (haven't
decided
> > which wheels to go to) so I'll know even more with the new tires how the
> > alignment holds. Over the years of driving the car for a daily runner, I
> > never experienced evil alignment problems or poor handling until
recently.
> > The only reason it's bad now is because the tires were new in 1977
(rear)
> > and 1980 (front). Those old bias ply are like Fred Flintstone tires now,
and
> > the car will follow cracks, it's so amusing. Can't wait to get new skins
for
> > it.
> >
> > Armand
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "John Elle" <johnelle@xxxxxxxxx>
> > To: <amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2007 2:47 PM
> > Subject: [Amc-list] Replacing Strut-Rod Bushings.
> >
> >
> > >
> > > Snip
> > > > What's your experience been with the one piece bushings? At least
from
> > > > the illustrations I've seen, it looks like that's what's available
> > > now.
> > >
> > > really? You mean Rambler OEM 1963 style, where you push them through
> > > from one side and a fat washer distorts them into "grommets"?
> > >
> > > The only modern types I've seen
> > > Snip
> > >
> > > My experience has not been bad with strut rod bushings, however I have
> > > not and do not own anything
> > > older than 1970.
> > > All of my 1970 and 1980 TSM' show that both the single and 2 piece
> > > bushings are interchangeable
> > > as far as application goes. However the line drawings clearly show
that
> > > if the single piece unit is
> > > installed the cup shaped "fat" washers should be installed with the
> > > pregnant side facing towards the
> > > bushing on both sides. While if the 2 piece bushing is used the
pregnant
> > > side should be facing
> > > away from the bushings.
> > > To further clarify the installation of these parts, my 1974 TSM
clearly
> > > shows that if you use the one
> > > piece bushing, the "fat" washer in front, pregnant side faces away
from
> > > the bushing while the one in
> > > back clearly shows the pregnant side facing towards the bushing.
> > > 'While if you use the 2 piece bushing both "fat" washers  pregnant
side
> > > face away from the bushing.
> > > Now to further clarify the issue the 2 piece bushings have been all
that
> > > I have been using until now.
> > > The set of instructions given with them clearly show a line drawing
> > > application for Fords with a
> > > direction arrow that seems opposite of the AMC on them with one
pregnant
> > > side facing towards
> > > the bushing and the other facing away and I believe that one is shown
> > > mounted on the end of
> > > the strut rod.
> > > All of these instructions have the common thread that the "fat"
washers
> > > should be used. However
> > > I guess the idea is to pick the best application by going eenie,
meenie,
> > > Minie, Moe!
> > > How ever I would be willing to place a good bet on the fact that if
> > > installed correctly, they will work
> > > correctly. I really have not had a problem with them on my cars, nor
on
> > > ones I have rebuilt for
> > > others.
> > > The latest purchase (from Kanter) supplied me with 2 sets of one piece
> > > strut rod bushings.
> > > At this point in time I have not used them yet and as there is some
> > > question as to which
> > > installation procedure is correct when I figure it out and install
them
> > > I will get back to some one.
> > > John.
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