Need help with front suspension

[TbirdRivi6560]

John, here are pictures of the old and new bushings for the ram cylinder. I already have the stabilizer link bushings installed with the help of the pry bar. I might have to thin the new bushings a bit to get some bolt thread.

[jopizz]

It doesn't look like there's that much difference in the thickness. I imagine the old ones were the same before they were compressed. Do you have the ends with the collar going into the bracket and the flat part going toward the washers.

John

[partsetal]

I have used the bushing kits from several sources and have always had to trim one rubber bushing so that there was sufficient thread.

[TbirdRivi6560]

Thanks for the advice and help with this issue. I wound up thinning the collar on the bushings as I didn’t see the need for the collar since the piston hole was way too small for the collar to fit in. Anyway it worked and another repair done.

[TbirdRivi6560]

Just wanted to show how bad the inner ram cylinder piston bushing was. Can't figure out what could of caused this to happen to the actual bushing and metal cap.

[TbirdRivi6560]

Is there a diagram or list of all the bushings in the front end and suspension for a 1960 Tbird. I am replacing the front end and think I have all that I can see. I already have the idler arm bushings, tie rods, sleeves, control arm bushings ( upper and lower), ball joints ( upper and lower). Also, does anyone know what bushings are connected to the cross member bar and where I can purchase them. I don’t see the usual vendors selling them.

[jopizz]

Here are diagrams of the steering and suspension. As for what parts are available that seems to decrease all the time. If the usual vendors don't carry what you need try Rareparts.com.
If they don't have it then you will either have to check Ebay for NOS parts or improvise. Inspect the old bushings and see if you can find something similar for another car. As for your bushing and washer wear that looks like looseness caused by the bushings getting hard and causing too much play.

John

60 steering diagram.jpg
60 front suspension.jpg

[TbirdRivi6560]

John, thanks for the diagrams, these will be really helpful. I was thinking the same thing about some of the bushings I can’t find through the normal thunderbird vendors. I will most likely have to look at similar bushings for other vehicles. Wish me luck.