Just over a year ago I decided to "unpark" the 92 Tbird. Once I got the wife in to a "new" car I just parked the Tbird as it was getting unsafe. All the front suspension bushings were worn, the front shocks didn't do anything but support the car so I undertook an overhaul of the front suspension. Not too hard. I had it all changed out in about 8 and 1/2 hours and a $50 alignment it was all good. But, there were still little noises...
Fast forward a year and the power steering pump had a leak. It turned out to be the Electronic Variable Orifice (EVO). What's the odds of springing a leak after 20 years? It is a repairable part so off I went in search of new O ring seals. Nada. Then I remembered I have a slew of O rings left over for my a/c project a few years ago on the Ranger. Perfect fit. All back together with no leaks. The only question is will those seals stand up to the p/s fluid? Time will tell. In the meantime I ordered new seals from NAPA just in case. They took a few days to come in but they are in cool dry storage.
The side effect of the leak was one very bad sway bar bushing. Funny how the car is so low to the ground that Ford has the sway bar going through the engine compartment. I measured, 30" of extensions to get the bolts off. But sucsess and the new bushings work great. But it still has noises....
Now what Ford calls strut rods are loose. A year ago those bushings looked great and were fine when checked out by the alignment shop but they are not now. That's the next project on a growing list of projects that include new leather, headliner and paint. I'm not sure the big ticket items are getting done this year or next but has anyone priced new cars lately?
I did replace the strut rod bushings last weekend. Easy job but I had to remove the coil over shocks and disconnet the upper control arms. I was able to not disturb the lower control arms where the alignment is done. That's a good thing. Finally no more rattles and the side benefit is that I saved $90 by not having to replace my brake rotors. Now what does that have to do with strut rods?
Well, the accidental fix was that the worn bushings was the source of the brakes pulsating during stops. That's gone now too.
SUCCESS!
Here's some pics
-- Edited by Tbirdsps on Tuesday 6th of March 2012 09:08:34 AM
