John,
I used these as they are similar to what was used in the Falcon. The Falcons used a bronze bushing and these say they use a synthetic elastomer for the bushing. They have 26,000 miles on them and still seem to work well. 
https://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/64-73-hp-frt-coil-spring-perch-c4dz-3388-hp
The other option is pricey roller perches. 

I'm running roller bearing spring perches, for that matter everything on my suggestion is roller bearing including the idler arm. Ford originally used a bronze bushings. That is the right way. Ford switched to rubber for one reason, it cost less then a bronze bushing. Roller bearing is typically not the choice for static loads. Honestly I was very suspicious and hesitant to use roller perches. I took the plunge and bought a set after a fair amount of investing. I couldn't find people with problems. When I found a listing for roller bearings for static loads is what changed it for me. Besides I thought they'd last longer then stock rubber bushings.

Everyone says a steel bearing is going to be noisy, have a harsh ride. Funny I haven't found any of that to be true. I've found it to provide a supple, compliant ride that just seems to glide over bumps and pot holes. The only time I notice anything is if I specifically look or pay attention for it. Then it's more like a set of low profile tires. What I did see coming was how much binding there is with rubber bushings. They simply do not want to rotate freely. They store up energy and snap the suspension back. That feeling is gone with bearings. Without this binding it kills spring rate. I've actually had to increase spring rate substantially just to keep the suspension from bottoming out in normal driving

So to answer your question. Don't fear them from a comfort or life expectancy. They'll probably be the last set you buy and your car will ride much better and just as quietly

Last edited by Huskinhano (1/17/2020 5:02 PM)

I resisted roller perches, as well. Then I found some that fit well and provided socket access to the Shock absorber mounting nuts. The first pair I found had no access to those nuts due to the larger bearing support tube. The washers for the shock mount had to be ground down to fit and even then were jammed hard against the perch body, eliminating any rubber isolation of the shock studs.
I took those back off the first day. The second set had machined clearance for the shock stud nut access. They have been in the car over 15,000 miles with no issues.

Once I really thought about what they do, the bearings are really kind of a superfluous gimmick. Modern cars and trucks that use big coil springs simply put the end of the spring into a stamped area in the control arm. The flexure of the spring follows the control arm as it moves through an arc.  That is all that is needed. There just isn’t a good way to do that on a Mustang upper control arm.

So, for lack of ANY decent original type perches on the market, the roller perches do the job quite well, and I have not noticed harshness from them like I have with rod ends on the strut rods.

Steve and Rudi, Thanks for the feedback.

MS wrote:

Bolted...
Your ultimate solution is an aluminum small block. 🤠

Can’t be much more money than a FE!!

Replace the rubber and slide in 2 urethane bushings using original shaft and outer shell. Spot weld a washer on each side of the shaft to keep it centered. Drill it to make greaseable.
It's a poor man roller perch that's free moving and quiet and will last many moons.

Nos681 wrote:

RV6 wrote:

John,
I used these as they are similar to what was used in the Falcon. The Falcons used a bronze bushing and these say they use a synthetic elastomer for the bushing. They have 26,000 miles on them and still seem to work well. 
https://www.drakeautomotivegroup.com/64-73-hp-frt-coil-spring-perch-c4dz-3388-hp
The other option is pricey roller perches. 

 



I’m no engineer or English major...sounds like “synthetic rubber” to me.

Since I spent fourty years as a synthetic elastomer engineer I feel qualified to state that the Drake Group’s bushings are probably close to urethane, perhaps graphite impregnated urethane. There are as many Synthetic elastomers as there types of cars.  Without specifications there is no way to tell exactly what they are using.  The exact compound is probably a trade secret.

Red and Ron, I could use some pictures, if you have any handy. No welding is a plus. I will need to do some googling. Thanks for the feedback.

Last edited by Bolted to Floor (1/19/2020 7:56 PM)

Try this, ran across it a couple of days ago.

https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/shop-universal-parts.asp

https://www.energysuspensionparts.com/energy-suspension-universal-polyurethane-bushings.asp