AC Delco Strut Rod Bars - Any input? Also - Motorcraft front arms (good deal)

[DemonNeno]

I did a quick search on here for more info and found nothing. Apparently, Delco makes a strut rod arm for the front of our cars (or so it's said to be) with a Part # 45K0078. Anyone install these on their car? I'm not entirely sure the SHO and the SLO share this part, but they do look similiar enough to our rods.

FYI: Motorcraft's lower arms are available with a greasable balljoint and includes all your hardware (pinch bolt with a nut, bolt & nut @ the frame and a new strut rod nut) for $82 (from PSP, a local supplier out in the Mount Prospect/Northern chicagoland area of IL). Part # F4DZ 3V078 A. I'm putting money on this unit being a restamped Federal Mogul unit.

Cheers! :swing:

 

[DeepPower]

I did a quick search on here for more info and found nothing. Apparently, Delco makes a strut rod arm for the front of our cars (or so it's said to be) with a Part # 45K0078. Anyone install these on their car? I'm not entirely sure the SHO and the SLO share this part, but they do look similiar enough to our rods.

I just ordered two new AC Delco 45K0078 front strut rods for my '89 SHO. I'll report back on if they fit.

If I am getting these rods new, does anyone know if I still need the Moog K8737 repair kit?

 

[zak]

Just looked those up strut rods on rockauto, they are "caster adjustable", wasn't there an issue with an aftermarket supplier of adjustable strut rods where breakage occurred?

 

[luigisho]

I think the repair kit is needed if you have damage to the subframe at the cups where the rods and bushings attach. I would wait until the old stuff is out and give it a good once over before I returned or sold the kit.

 

[luigisho]

In fact I would replace the rods and bushings and see if you have a clunking sound from driving around before I got rid of the kit. If I remember the kit repair is for the the cup insert area on the subframe as it comes loose or gets deformed and you get movement where there shouldn't be any and a clunking sound. I've seen obvious damage with the ***** eye, but it may also be hard to see or notice unless moving around under load.

 

[DeepPower]

Yep, I've got the clunking sound. For bushings I have 1x K8516 and 2x K8613. Ordering 2x repair kits K8737.

 

[luigisho]

Did you notice anything when you removed the the rods from the subframe or do you just have the clunking before you tackle any of it? I say that because removing ones that are still good is a real chore. I remember beating the h*ll out of mine a few years ago. They didn't want to go anywhere-- which is good-- else they would loosen easily during vehicle operation. If you haven't done any of the suspension work yet I would refresh everything in front, Check the subframe mount bushings and bolts, put everything in, and tighten it up and see if you really need a repair kit to solve the problem. All the fasteners will be fresh and easy to take out again if needed and it will go much quicker the 2nd time

 

[DeepPower]

Have not removed the rods yet. I first heard the clunking noise, which made me suspect the strut rods. Rust has eaten into the threaded area in the right front rod, allowing the main nut to move back and forth.

 

[Biggie]

I was looking into purchasing either AC Delco or Ingalls front strut rods last year but have read that there were reported problems. I can't remember specifically what the issue were though...something to do with the threads on the rods or snapping if I remember correctly. I replaced all the strut rods bushings on my car last year with the Moog thermoplastic bushings, which seem nice and strong. Luckily my front rods aren't clunking yet, although eventually ill have to replace them as they're wearing out too.

 

[SHOdded]

I am surprised more people have not done a gen 3 slo subframe upgrade to eliminate this nuisance. Does it not work for gen 1's?

Former: 1995 ATX, 1992 MTX

 

[rubydist]

^^^ This. I was amazed at the difference in ride and handling the first time I upgraded a car to the Gen3 subframe. I would do that in a second rather than replacing the control arms, bushings, etc. on the factory Gen1/2 subframe.

 

[DeepPower]

^^^ This. I was amazed at the difference in ride and handling the first time I upgraded a car to the Gen3 subframe. I would do that in a second rather than replacing the control arms, bushings, etc. on the factory Gen1/2 subframe.

Gen 3 subframe on a Gen 1? What does that involve? Do you have a link to the procedure?

 

[rubydist]

this should get you started:
http://www.shoforum.com/index.php?threads/gen-3-subframe-mod.122743/

You will need to cut off the trans mount from the original subframe and weld it on in the correct spot on the Gen3 subframe. You will need to drill a new hole in the Gen3 subframe for the front motor mount. You will need the control arms and spindles from the Gen3 vehicle.

Note that I still have a jig for locating the trans mount on the subframe laying in my garage - I will be happy to send it to anyone who wants to use it for the cost of shipping (but it won't be cheap cause its kind of large) - that will get you the trans mount in the right place. iirc, I located it with respect to the two left side subframe mounting bushings, so its 3+ feet long.

 

[zak]

why is it no one has ever tried a Gen 4 subframe swap? After 2003.5 the subframe and the spindles both changed to new, not interchangeable (per Hollander) part number. The control arms are dimensionally identical 1999-2007, but the later units have full rubber forward bushings for more precise handling.

 

[luigisho]

Gen 3 subframe on a Gen 1? What does that involve? Do you have a link to the procedure?

It's alot more work but you will really notice a difference

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Gen 3 subframe on a Gen 1? What does that involve? Do you have a link to the procedure?

SHO Source offers the kit for it.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

I did a quick search on here for more info and found nothing. Apparently, Delco makes a strut rod arm for the front of our cars (or so it's said to be) with a Part # 45K0078. Anyone install these on their car? I'm not entirely sure the SHO and the SLO share this part, but they do look similiar enough to our rods.

FYI: Motorcraft's lower arms are available with a greasable balljoint and includes all your hardware (pinch bolt with a nut, bolt & nut @ the frame and a new strut rod nut) for $82 (from PSP, a local supplier out in the Mount Prospect/Northern chicagoland area of IL). Part # F4DZ 3V078 A. I'm putting money on this unit being a restamped Federal Mogul unit.

Cheers! :swing:

I have seen similar models fail spectacularly.

 

[DeepPower]

FYI, the Ford p/n for the front tension strut rod is E8DZ3468A.

 

[DeepPower]

Here is the AC Delco 45K0078. It comes with the hardware shown.

From photos I've seen of the Ford front strut rods the chrome bushings are needed because the threads are longer on this than on the Ford OEM part. The chrome bushings have a seam, I'd have them welded(?) closed.

Comments?

 

[luigisho]

Was there more than 1 failure of these aftermarket units posted over the years? I would consider used in good condition if I could find them. Fingers crossed