North American Turbocoupe Organization



Heavy Duty suspension?
Bungy Offline
Member
#1
I am looking at possibly getting some poly bushings for my 86 TC. (front arms) What I've found are two different sets. One is listed as being for 80-86 Thunderbird without HD susp. (also fits 79-93 stang) The other is for 80-86 with HD susp.
My question is, how do I know if my car has the HD susp ?
1986 TC 100% Stock

"Nitrous is for guys who can't build motors"

Reply

Bungy Offline
Member
#2
Anyone?
Would it possibly be the standard Thunderbirds use one kit and the TCs use the heavy duty kit?
1986 TC 100% Stock

"Nitrous is for guys who can't build motors"

Reply

Robert Camp Offline
Posting Freak
#3
I don't remember seeing anything about an HD suspension option on these cars. There was a towing option on the V8 and maybe V6 but not the TC. And all that amounted to was 10" drums on the rear (I think.) I wonder though if that might refer to the bushings in the lower control arms. Some were oval and some round in the front lower bushing. My 86 TC is oval. Do they state whether they are round or oval?
Robert Camp
'86 Medium Regatta Blue TC, 5-speed, original owner.
Reply

Bungy Offline
Member
#4
No, The only reference to round or oval is for REAR bushings. Here are the two front kits I am looking at:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...K:MEWAX:IT

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayIS...K:MEWAX:IT

I probably need the second one as that is more expensive. I'm thinking I might have to contact Energy Suspension to get a positive answer.
1986 TC 100% Stock

"Nitrous is for guys who can't build motors"

Reply

gtrag94 Offline
Member
#5
hey sorry, I didn't see this until now. I also have an 86 and have done Energy Suspension's front bushings. They're pretty stiff and transmit basically all of the road. Potholes are no fun. That being said, it was an insane hassle because of the lack of information. I tried getting the HD ones to fit thinking "it's a TC it should therefore be heavy duty." Not the case. My TC was non HD bushings which made the swap different.

HD bushings just replace the rubber for poly.
Non-HD bushings replace the metal shells that the bushings go in as well.

I took my control arms to a shop and had them press the old shells out and the new ones in and they charged about $30-35, I don't remember. My advice would be to stay with rubber unless you don't care about a pretty harsh ride (albeit with GREAT handling). New stock bushings will undoubtedly make a huge improvement without the bad ride.

If you do go poly, use plenty of their grease to prevent squeaks as much as possible.

I have a writeup on this forum with part numbers and prices, etc. under "comlete 86 TC front suspension". Search that and let me know if you have any questions/problems.

May be helpful, may not, but my TC also required "non-TC" seals when I replaced the front wheel bearings with Autozone parts.
1986 TC 5-spd (Red/Red cloth)
K&N Cone on VAM; front suspension by KYB, Moog, Energy Suspension.
Reply

Bungy Offline
Member
#6
Thanx a lot buddy! That makes sense as one kit costs more then the other. The ride really doesn't matter to me, the performance is more important on this car.
1986 TC 100% Stock

"Nitrous is for guys who can't build motors"

Reply





Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)



Theme © iAndrew 2018 - Software MyBB