I started to put my front end back together with all new bushings and what not. After reading the manual, (forgot how it went back together) it mentions to use a special tool to install the upper control arm shafts and bushing. Is this tool necessary? or can I get by with turning each bushing an equal number of times to make sure there centered.

Here's what the tool looks like:

Thanks in advance for your help.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

I'm no expert on this, but it seems that getting the shaft in equal is the key. How you do it is up to you

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I figured I can just bolt the shaft to the frame and use the frame as a jig to get it centered.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

If you are worried about this, why not make up a tool out of 1/4" flat stock. The benefit of using thejig is that you don't put any pressure on the frame whilst pulling the bushes in. If they are a bit tight you could bend the section where you are pulling the bushes through and you will never know where the centre is. The benefit of the tool is that it stops the frame from bending as it shares the force between both areas as you are pulling them in.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

I was thinking of taking the old upper shaft and cutting off the ends to match with width of the upper arm. You think that'll work???

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

If this tool only rests against the inside of the stamed A arm I guess its to keep from pulling the ends togather while installing the new bushings. That being said I would think the old arm cut off to fit would do the same. Then you would have a tool. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

The bushings are threaded on the inside and the outside so I think that tool is just to make sure there centered on the shaft and not shifted to one side of the other. I'm going to try the idea of making the tool from the old shaft. I just gotta make sure I cut the shaft equally on each side. I'll post the results when I'm done. Thanks for all the responses.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

UPDATE:

I tried that idea of cutting down the old shaft to use as a guide and it worked like a charm.

58 Ford Custom 300 - San Pedro, CA (So-Cal)

Job well done. Necessity the mother of invention. Having located them properly you won't be worried now whether you did it right or not.

Regards

Rick - West Australia
Do Y Blocks Downunder run upside down? Gravity Sucks!!

Before you tighten them you want to have the weight on the car. There are teath on the ends of them and if tightened without the weight sitting on them, when the weight is on them it will put a twist on the rubbers and prematurely wear them.

55 Vicky & customline

58 Rack Dump, 55 F350 yard truck, 57 F100

59 & 61 P 400's, 58 F100 custom cab, 69 F100, 79 F150, 82 F600 ramp truck, 90 mustang conv 7 up, 94 Mustang, Should I continue?