Although the most popular Mustang generation has always been the stunning original, the '65-'66 models have never been the easiest to service and maintain. In 1964, the Mustang had a long way to go in terms of engineering refinements.
Here's the articulating strut...
Here's the articulating strut rod kit from The Mustang Shop of Arizona. What makes this better than the factory rubber bushing strut rod is its indestructible design. This adjustable 10/18 cold rolled steel strut rod sports a Kevlar-injected 3/4-inch Heim joint that rolls with the flow of your Mustang's lower control arm. There's no binding and no rubber bushing to wear out. Expect better handling along with easy caster adjustment. The strut rod kit is priced at around $400 with alignment from the Mustang Shop of Arizona.
The Mustang Shop of Arizona's...
The Mustang Shop of Arizona's lower control arms work with the articulating strut rod kit.
One example is the Mustang's Falcon-based front suspension, a rather crude coilover, upper arm design that has been long despised by front-end alignment specialists. Adjusting caster and camber requires installation and removal of shims between the upper control arm and shock tower. Adding shims moves the arm out (positive camber), while subtracting them moves the arm in (negative camber). Adjusting camber involves moving the entire arm in or out to achieve positive or negative camber. Caster is adjusted by adding or removing shims to move the upper ball joint fore or aft to achieve positive or negative caster.
After servicing vintage Mustangs for many years, the Mustang Shop of Arizona spent six years developing their fully articulating lower control arm and strut rod kit for '65-'70 Mustangs. In addition to making front-end alignment easier, the system also improves handling. The result is easy to install and will outlast your Mustang's original lower control arm and strut rod. Once installed, no one knows it's there but you.
They use Kevlar-injected Heim...
They use Kevlar-injected Heim joints that replace the original rubber bushings. The Heim joint moves in or out to adjust your Mustang's camber. Price is $550 with alignment.
From the factory, classic...
From the factory, classic Mustang front ends are very limited and challenging to maintain. As this '65-'66 front suspension stands, its caster setting is 0.0 degrees plus or minus 1.0 degree. The Mustang Shop adjustable strut rod allows a maximum of 6.0 degrees of positive caster without special modifications.
To begin factory strut rod...
To begin factory strut rod removal, first remove the strut rod retaining nut. Note that the strut rod-bushing retainer is installed backwards here. On '65-'66 Mustangs only, the bevel should point outward. Although a box-end wrench is shown here, you're going to need a 7/8-inch deep-well socket.
At the control arm end, use...
At the control arm end, use a deep-well 5/8-inch socket below and 5/8-inch box end on top.
After removing the cotter...
After removing the cotter pin, remove the ball joint castle nuts using a 7/8-inch box end wrench.
You can use a pickle fork...
You can use a pickle fork to separate ball joint and spindle or give the spindle a sharp whack with a five-pound sledge hammer.
The fully articulating Mustang...
The fully articulating Mustang Shop lower control arm is installed next.
Because not all Mustang unit...
Because not all Mustang unit bodies are the same, you will probably have to work hard at this one. It isn't always easy to get the Heim joint and spacers in place.
The pivot bolt is installed...
The pivot bolt is installed next...
...and torqued to specification...
...and torqued to specification after initial tightening.
The ball joint and spindle...
The ball joint and spindle are secured, torqued to specifications, and fitted with a cotter pin.
This is the adjustable Heim...
This is the adjustable Heim joint, which controls camber. No more shims.
The adjustable, fully articulating...
The adjustable, fully articulating strut rod is installed next. The nice thing here is no strut rod bushings to wear out. And you have a solid connection between the strut rod and chassis. An adjustable Heim joint takes the abuse without complaint.
The Mustang Shop of Arizona...
The Mustang Shop of Arizona suggests checking strut rod attachment points for trueness before installation. Because drivers hit curbs and chuck holes, damage does occur at these attachment points.
The strut rod is secured with...
The strut rod is secured with an air impact, then a torque wrench to specifications. We suggest the use of a thread locker.
The strut rod is attached...
The strut rod is attached to the lower control arm, which provides an easy-to-adjust package where camber and caster are adjusted without shims.
Caster is adjusted at this...
Caster is adjusted at this strut rod Heim joint, then locked in place with a jamb nut. It is virtually impossible to disturb caster once this is tight. Just don't tag a curb at 30 mph.
Once the control arm and strut...
Once the control arm and strut rod are installed on customer cars, The Mustang Shop performs a complete front-end alignment in its shop.