orange88

So Today I was diggin around and notice that the the left shock tower bolt was loose, and the right was tight to the point that it was crushing the rubber bumper, Any ideas why or what I should do there? I'm still waiting for my shop manual to get here but I dont want to waste any time

orange88

Oh and i dont know if this helps or changes anything but i dont have the export braces on...

2+2GT

Do NOT drive the car without the braces. They should only be removed long enough for necessary maintenance.

tx65coupe

Also, You should really replace them with a 1 piece export brace.

What bolt are you actually talking about that is loose and what rubber bumper?

HGC

Are you talking about the small rubber bumper at the bottom of the part which can be known as the Outer Shock Tower, Coil Spring Cover or Shock Tower Brace? It goes by all those names. My 65 shop manual refers to it as a Coil Spring Cover. The shock tower is on the inside of the engine bay and the part I asked about is on the outside. The bumper is held on by a single bolt and is just there in case you bottom out.

orange88

2+2GT-Any idea why someone would have taken them off?
tx65- Will the one piece ones that say 64-73 actually fit without major adjustments? So far I can only find the ones that say 64-73 at cjpony, the other places I've looked have listed it fitting 64-70 mustangs...

And I'll get pictures and post them later today of the spot I am talking about.

2+2GT

Yeah, I don't think the export brace will fit the 71-73. Chances are somebody took them off when working on the car and was too lazy to put them back on. These are available new, but if you'd rather I know a place that has plenty of used ones. There is a Monte Carlo bar for the 71-73, and if you were to install both the braces and the bar you'd feel a huge difference.

orange88

Okay so the second pic is the Right Side, really tight, the third pic is the Left side... Any thoughts?
And 2+2 i wouldnt mind a set of used ones if you would be kind enough to share your source

2+2GT

Hmmm… Just for clarity, the third photo is the right side, and shows the upper shock bushings very loose. This will give you a very bad rattle at all times, and should be tightened. The other one was tightened too much, and the rubber has gone bad, so it probably rattles a bit, too.

Call Glazier's about the braces, and while you're on the phone you might want to get their "G05024 71-73 front shock Hardware" which will give you the upper and lower bushings, washers, and nuts for one front shock. Get both if you need them.

http://www.mustangbarn.com/

andrewmp6

Yeah that is the shock bolt that looks loose.If it was my car i would replace both shocks and put the export braces back or http://www.mpgheads.com/ sells a custom one that fits the 71-73.A site you will like http://www.7173parts.com/ is full of info and http://429mustangcougarinfo.50megs.com/ same way.