Should I risk another weekend on these bushings?
06-10-2009, 12:31 AM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Should I risk another weekend on these bushings?
Found this tonight prepping for the weekend. The lower fronts and upper rears on the front control arms (both sides) are pretty much completely pushed out (lower R/F being the worst). I'm supposed to head to Road ATL this weekend, but now I'm not so sure.
I'm not worried about which type/brand bushings are the best to replace them with right now. I just need to know if it's best to sit out this weekend before either the cradle or controls arms themselves are damaged.
Thanks guys.
Left front:
Right front:
I'm not worried about which type/brand bushings are the best to replace them with right now. I just need to know if it's best to sit out this weekend before either the cradle or controls arms themselves are damaged.
Thanks guys.
Left front:
Right front:
Did the VB&P bushings go in OK?
06-10-2009, 08:09 AM
#5
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
06-10-2009, 08:16 AM
#7
Melting Slicks
Mine look a lot worse than that, I would still run. Like they said, handling and alignment are not going to be up to parr but just keep an eye on them.
God I wish we were allowed good bushings in T1.
Aaron
God I wish we were allowed good bushings in T1.
Aaron
06-10-2009, 08:44 AM
#9
Team Owner
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CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
Don't worry about it unitl your metal on metal 
Most T1 guys just periodically have their cars re-alligned to account for the movement. Once you get metal/metal replace the a-arm.
Most T1 guys just periodically have their cars re-alligned to account for the movement. Once you get metal/metal replace the a-arm.
06-10-2009, 01:21 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
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06-10-2009, 01:58 PM
#15
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FYI I can see rubber still sticking out the other end. When the bushing is totall shot it'll be metal on metal. The real bushing to watch is the front lower control arm. That'll eventually fail first.
FWIW I ran 4-5 HPDEs a year for 4 years before I needed to replace my bushings.
FWIW I ran 4-5 HPDEs a year for 4 years before I needed to replace my bushings.
06-10-2009, 07:24 PM
#16
Tech Contributor
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When I ran into this with my 97 I had metal to metal contact. The dealer found the problem when they couldn't get the alignment specs I wanted. Caster is the one that really goes bad. The most they could get is +2 degrees. Since they had to order parts they installed some large washers on the shaft between the control arm and cradle to keep the control arm from hitting the cradle. This got me through a weekend HPDE that I had paid for.
Bill
Bill
06-10-2009, 07:31 PM
#17
Le Mans Master
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Cruise-In II Veteran
You could just make a 1/8 thick delrin or UHMW polyethylene (fancy name but very easy to get and cheap) washer and stuff it in there as a thrust washer to prevent metal to metal contact. I even did that with my poly bushings.
06-10-2009, 07:42 PM
#18
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
06-10-2009, 07:53 PM
#20
You will probably notice the change in toe the most. I'd ask around at the track and see if someone has some toe plates you can borrow to re-set you toe. It's a 20 min job.