67LimeCoupe

Hey guys,

I'm attempting to install new LCAs on my 67 coupe and I'm running into some trouble, the old ones would slide right into place in the bracket on the frame while the new ones will not. The new ones have a metal bushing that seems to stick out slightly past the sides of the rubber bushing and its interfering with getting it into the bracket, its also very difficult to get the bolt through the whole thing.

Couples questions regarding this:

Is there a right way to install the LCA??
Am I supposed to torque the LCA bolt before installing the strut rod?

All the suspension is currently removed.

guitarman376

From where did you find the replacement LCA's? Sounds like a manufacturing flaw to me. Sounds like the internal metal part of the bushing is too long relative to the rubber bushing.
I don't think it matters if you torque the LCA before installing the strut rods, as the LCA bushings are spherical.

67LimeCoupe

CJ Pony Parts, I've gotten flawed parts from them before I guess... Might have to grind these down, I bought them last year and had them sitting so can't return them.

67mustang302

Are you sure the bracket is totally straight? A lot of alignment monkeys over tighten the eccentric bolt and compress the the bracket over time.

67LimeCoupe

This was my original thought, I'll be pulling off them off and checking to make sure the brackets are square, I'll bet pics up at the same time.

bop11

67 was a cross over year. The early 67's retained the 66 and prior camber was adjusted by placing shims between the upper control arm and the shock tower where the upper arm is bolted. Sometime in the first quarter, Ford went to using an eccentric bolt on the lower control arm mounting. I think this was at the same time they went to the rag joint and collapsible steering column. So some 67's have 66 front suspension and some have 67. Make sure you got the correct part. Due to front end damage or modifications, I have seen 67's with both shims and eccentrics to get the camber correct.

67LimeCoupe

Update: the brackets seemed pretty square so I went ahead and ground down the bushing, they fit really well now, although I have another question:

When I torque down the LCA it no longer is able to rotate? It's kinda of like a spring, is this right? And if it is how would I determine at what height to torque it down at?

guitarman376

I am going to assume you doused the bushing with chassis lube already. Rubber bushings bind, more so when new.
If I was you, I would snug up all the suspension fasteners now, and torque them properly with car on the ground/ramps later. Earlier you asked about the strut rod mount to LCA, that can be done with car in the air, as can the upper control arm bolts since the fastener doesn't affect the bushings. The rest should probably be torqued with car resting on its own weight.
Another reason I would do it this way is to reduce whatever friction forces are acting upon the bushing at ride height, reducing bind.