Taurus Adjustable Arms

[SHO_Diehard]

I heard that instead of getting GM arm, someone took the adjustable arms from a Taurus and put them on their SHO in place of the non-adjustable arms. Did that work, and were there any issues? Did they get enough adjustment out of it?

I tried to find the post, couldn't find it.

 

[pjtoledo]

You are probably thinking of someone else, but I did something similar about 8 years ago.
To start with, only one end of one control arm per side has the adjuster. Thats a total of only 2 adjusters for the entire rear end. They are there to adjust the toe in.
I went bone yard scavaging and acquired 12 of the adjuster equipped arms so I could do 2 cars. I rigged up a press and removed the other 6 non-adjustable bushings on each car, then installed the adjustable bushings in each end of all the arms. The result was stock Ford arms, with stock Ford adjustable bushings at both ends of all the arms. Pressing the bushings in and out was not the easiest, but I did manage it in the vice in the basement. That gave me about 3/8" adjustment total per bar, barely enough to get a good camber setting.
Problem is, that only pulls the bottoms in, which narrows the rear track. I then pulled the strut/spring out and elongated the top mounting holes about 3/16" to the outside. That allowed me to lengthen the control arms to compensate for the top. The result was an overall wider rear track by about 1/2".
Those same control arms are still on both of my SHOs.
If someone could dig up the dimensions on some TPR bushings those would be a better choice than the stock rubber Ford pieces. Have fun!!!


Perry

 

[SHO_Diehard]

Perry, thanks for the info. I was thinking of going with GM arms, but Kerry's experience with bent GM arms due to track driving has me concerned. I do track day at the convention, and I'm hoping to start doing some local events. I also have a parts car I picked up recently ( ), so I'm considering getting the adjustable rear arms off it. Will the rear arms fit in the forward location?

Sounds like even if they do, the adjustment will be limited.

 

[pjtoledo]

The Ford arms are all identical in size and can be used in any of the 4 positions, however, the one by the bias valve needs a hole in it for the bracket. Yes, the adjustment is limited. My SHOs were set up for hiway crusing, the tires last for years.

Perry