Just a question about the bushings. The Ford parts book shows that the 57 Fords use two different combinations of bushings. Some use the same lower bushings on all 4 corners. Other use two of the these bushings along with two more that have a larger amount of rubber sticking out of the bushing. There is no information in the parts book as to why some cars use these different bushings in either the front or rear position on the lower control arm. I am just trying to figure out the difference and why. Thanks!
I never heard that before.......maybe upper and lower differences causing some confusion?
This is definitely the lower bushings. The 1957 parts book (printed September 1956) shows only part number B4A 3069-C for al 4 of the lower bushings. Meaning that the bushings are the same from 1954-1957 on the full sized vehicles. (passenger car) The 1949-1959 part book, printed in 1964 shows the same part number B4A 3069-C fitting passenger car and Thunderbird from (car from 1954-1959 and Thunderbird from 1955-1959) Then there is a listing below that says 1957-1959 passenger car and 1959 Thunderbird can take 2 of part number C0AA 3069-A. that last part number comes back to a bushing that has about 1" of extra rubber sticking out the end with a corresponding inner steel tube that also extends out that extra inch.
There is nothing about a special model and the latter part number just has a note of 7/8" diameter which is the same ID as the B4A 3069-C. I am always trying to learn about oddities and differences. I original purchased a kit that had 2 of the B4A 3069-C and 2 of the C0AA 3069-A bushings which did not look right. I returned them and installed 4 of the B4A 3069-C bushings which appear to be correct.
Sorry for the long explanation. Maybe some Ford parts Guru can explain.
I don't know about 1960 cars (the part number COAA implies '60 model year) but a '63 uses a bolt through the engine support crossmember that is located with an eccentric to allow for caster adjustment. My guess is that the extra length is for that arrangement but it does not impact using it on earlier models. I have '59 upper A arms on mine because they use a different design bushing altogether (similar to early Mustangs) because they let me move the upper A arms rearward ever so slightly for caster adjustment. Just a WAG...
Lynn.........Are the '59 Upper A Arms the same as '58's from an Edsel........If you know?
Thanks
John
They may be but I don't know. Seems Ford changed the upper control arm bushing design around that time. Here is a pic I posted quite a while ago of the pivot shaft and end bushing. The end bushings screw on to the shaft and into the arm at the same time that gives you the opportunity to "cheat" the A arm to the rear which changes the caster angle, I managed to get about 3 degrees
57fordsforever.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;attach=15743;image
hey all. don't know about later 58 edsels, but all 3 of my wagons (1 built 6/57,1 built 8/57 1 built 12/57 ) all have rubber upper bushings. Gerald