[1973Formula]

Well, I didn't get any responses to my post regarding "new rubber for my '72 Formy" so here is a list of the parts I found. I tried to find all rubber OEM style bushings, but a couple of items weren't available in rubber. These parts are specific to my 1972 Formula 400 that doesn't have the larger Trans AM sway bars. Use this link to find the part numbers for any of the Moog parts for your specific application:
http://www.power-21.com/federalmogulpower21i/

Upper Control Arm Bushings
Moog K6108 Qty-2
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Moog K6110 Qty-2
Front Sway Bar Bushings (1-1/8" bar)
Moog K6161 Qty-1
Leaf Spring Front Eye Bushing
Moog SB298 Qty-2
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle Bushings
Moog K6560 Qty-2
Rear Spring/Axle Pad
Energy Suspension 3.6111G Qty-1
Subframe/Body Bushings
Energy Suspension 3.4142G Qty-1
Front Shocks
Monroe Sensatrac 5801 Qty-2
Rear Shocks
Monroe Sensatrac 5831 Qty-2

The only parts I couldn't find were related to my 5/8" rear sway bar. I am picking up Moog K5241 today to see if it is correct for the connection point at the spring plates. I plan to use 5/8" heater hose where the bar connects to the bottom of the links. I will probably modify some shock bushings to fit in the upper end of the rear links.

I will update this post once all of the parts are here and I am ready to install them. Please let me know if you have a better solution for the rear sway bar bushings.

Thanks,

[1973Formula]

Here are some detailed part numbers related to the rear sway bar.

These are GM numbers that I got from my '73 Assembly Manual.
3983071 - Bushing at lower end of Link around bar 5/8"
3851087 - Bushing at lower end of Link around bar 13/16"

489012 - Bushing under spring plate 5/8"
494600 - Bushing under spring plate 13/16"

3982298 - Link from frame to bar. Includes upper bushing.
The bushing in the top end of the link has a molded part number 3859145 in the rubber. I do not believe this upper bushing was available separately from the link. I have a NOS link in my hand.

481151 - Clamp (two hole clamp at bottom of link)

398200 - Bracket (holds bushing to bottom of spring plate)

[1973Formula]

Here are some pics of all the parts-

[1973Formula]

I started working on the rear of the car. I pulled the sway bar components, leaf springs and shocks.

I bought the following Energy Suspension parts to use on the rear 5/8" sway bar.
5/8" Shock Bushings 9.8116G Qty-1
5/8" Split Shock Bushings 9.8147G Qty-1
5/8" Stab Bushing 9.5104G Qty-1

I modified the 9.8116G bushings by removing the raised lip portion with my bench grinder. These bushing look very similar to the original rubber bushing that slide onto the sway bar itself. See attachments for a comparison.

I was going to modify the stab bushings to fit inside the original brackets that mount to the bottom of the leaf springs, but my plans didn't work out. I will either have to use the gold bracket that comes in the kit, or reuse the original bushings. The originals are pretty deformed, but they might work if I flip them from passenger side to driver side and vice-versa. I will probably use the brackets that came with the Poly bushings but paint them black. I will put the originals on a shelf until I can find a better solution.

The split shock bushings should work well on the upper end of the links, but part number 9.8147G has the wrong I.D. to use the original steel sleeves. I have ordered 9.8140G and 9.8108G both have the proper I.D. and I should be able to get one of them to work.

I removed the leaf springs and noticed one broken leaf on the passenger side spring pack. Luckily, I have a few sets of springs around, and I was able to swap the broken leaf out. I got the bushings changed out and reinstalled the springs to find out that they were completely shot. The Air shocks I removed were all that was holding the rear end up. Next time, I will air down the shocks completely before I plan a spring rehab. I guess I should have known there was a reason for the Air shocks. Anyhow, I ordered a pair of Sport(WS6) springs from Dave at Pro-Touring F-Body. I was trying to keep this car as original as possible, but original springs are out of the picture.

I will post some more pics and updates. I am going to start on the front next. Hopefully, I will get it done and the new rear springs will show up.

-Tom

[165th]

Hi Tom, this is a great post, and great timing for my restoration. Thanks for taking the time to detail the MOOG part numbers with pictures.

The only thing I can add, is after visiting the MOOG website, I think the Trans Am front sway bar bushing for 1 1/4" sway bar will be K5271.

[1973Formula]

Did some more work on the Formula today. I installed the rear springs from Pro-touring F-body. I got the Sport (WS6) rear leafs to replace my worn out non-Y99 springs. I also finished up the rear sway bar. Below are the parts I ended up using for bushings on the rear bar. I made minor modifications with a belt sander. Everything fit together well, and looks fairly original. I will post some installed pics once I have completed everything. In the pics below I show a NOS rear link for reference.

NOS Link-




Bushings I chose for the upper end of the rear links-

[1973Formula]

Here are some comparison pics of the NOS link bushing, the modified poly bushing and the worn out original link bushing.


More pics-





I could have rounded the edge of the modified bushing to better match the NOS look, but decided I might not get a perfect radius so I left them squared off. They installed easily, and there isn't any interference with the frame bracket. The Poly bushings were hard to get into the link ends. I used a vise with a couple of sockets to get them in there. I can definitely feel an improvement in my ride quality. Blown springs with air shocks are not a substitute for a decent factory suspension. I will put the car through its paces once I have the front end done. Hopefully, I will get it done in the next week.

Later-
Tom

[Father&Son73T/A]

Originally Posted by 1973Formula

Did some more work on the Formula today. I installed the rear springs from Pro-touring F-body. I got the Sport (WS6) rear leafs to replace my worn out non-Y99 springs. I also finished up the rear sway bar. Below are the parts I ended up using for bushings on the rear bar. I made minor modifications with a belt sander. Everything fit together well, and looks fairly original. I will post some installed pics once I have completed everything. In the pics below I show a NOS rear link for reference.

NOS Link-




Bushings I chose for the upper end of the rear links-

What bushing are you using for the connection for the link to sway bar?

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Father&Son73T/A

What bushing are you using for the connection for the link to sway bar?

BUMP!@!! , I would like to know as well, Im using a wrong size AC hose section thats a lil too thick.

[1973Formula]

"I bought the following Energy Suspension parts to use on the rear 5/8" sway bar.
5/8" Shock Bushings 9.8116G Qty-1
5/8" Split Shock Bushings 9.8147G Qty-1
5/8" Stab Bushing 9.5104G Qty-1

I modified the 9.8116G bushings by removing the raised lip portion with my bench grinder. These bushing look very similar to the original rubber bushing that slide onto the sway bar itself. See attachments for a comparison."

The 9.8116G bushing is the one I used at the sway bar end of the link.

Here is a comparison pic of the original and the replacement.

[Formulabruce]

Thanks!!