cougar IRS suspension parts question

[68bumps]

I got a 97 cougar IRS last weekend and I noticed all of the subframe mounts are burnt or missing. Does anyone know where I can get some new ones?

[elgemcdlf]

Ford sells them. Or just hit a Pull A Part yard and pull a set of used.

[68bumps]

stopped at ford on my way home from work, they no longer sell them. discontinued. grr. is it even possible to get them out without pulling the whole subframe out? mine is sitting in the driveway and its not real easy to get them out.  as i was surfing around for them online, I found there is a special puller to remove and replace them, kinda make me think its gonna be pretty tough without it.

[68bumps]

after exchanging a screwdriver at a local sears hardware, i decided to walk next door to auto zone expecting to walk out disappointed. after searching around their computer with the guy behind the counter, and just about to give up and leave,I saw body mount bushings and thought why not see what they were. sure enough looks like it might work, made by energy suspensions, these look to be direct urethane replacements for the ford rubber mounts. still have to measure, but am hoping these will work, going to order them up and hope to get them in by next weekend.

as for this weekend, the engine and trans are coming out tomorrow as well as the stock front suspension in favor of the infamous crown vic ifs.

[Rusty67]

You might want to contact full tilt boogie racing.  You can get the better UHMW bushings from those guys.  I think the cradle bushings are the same as the later cobra irs so it should interchange.

[HIO Silver]

FYI:  UHMW means "ultra high molecular weight"... it's a hard plastic that withstands loads and feels slick to the touch... it's harder than polyurethane but not as hard as solid mounts.. it gives a little - very, very little so strap on a kidney belt and check yer fillings!!  

[Rusty67]

If I understand the OP correctly he is talking about the bushings for the IRS cradle to the frame.  These mounts should basically be solid and if the rest of the bushings in the system are in good order you should notice nothing but a better driving experience.  The Ford bushings in that location are really soggy and this is actually a bad thing.  The suspension is all contained within the cradle and when those bushings walk it does nothing but adversly effect the driving experience.  The rest of the IRS suspension, when working properly, is what is supposed to articulate to eat up harshness from the road.

Long story short, IRS cradle busings... the harder the better.