So, I just got my new front suspension in. Got it off E-bay and it's supposed to be stock replacement stuff (interchangeable with late-60's Mustangs), but, there's an issue with the UCA's: 1.) The place where you wedge the spacer in to keep the metal from collapsing when you tighten the bushing nuts is supposed to be 8 1/16" according to my 1974 Ford Shop Manual. This measurement is correct on my stock UCA's that I removed. However, on the new ones this measurement is 8 1/4". WTF? 2.) Also, when looking down from the top (if you were taking the place of the coil spring's perspective) the bushing cross-shaft is perfectly parallel with the edge of the control arm on the stock ones I removed. On the new one's, the shaft is pitched about an 1/8". So, one bushing mounting hole is offset by an 1/8" from the other. Again, WTF? This suspension set seems to be of decent quality and even has grease reliefs machined into the bushing cross-shafts, whereas, the stock ones did not. So, are these differences supposed to be some kind of "improvement" over the OE stuff? Or, Should they have come EXACTLY the same as my stock stuff? I'd post pics, but, I'm hoping this is as easy answer from someone who knows. Something like, "Oh, that stuff's no big deal. All the new suspension comes with those modifications nowadays." Thanks again guys, Eric
Just an update: The 1/8" pitch was due to the stamping edges being slightly uneven. It pivots squarely after further inspection. Also, made a jig at work to center the cross-shafts in the A-arms and got one to .015" and the other about .023". They were each ~3/16" off-center from the factory. I'd say that's an improvement. However, this still does not explain the dimension variations from 8 1/16" to 8 1/4". Eric
