Control Arm Shaft/Bushing Play
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
Control Arm Shaft/Bushing Play
I am replacing my bushings with polyurethane ones as part of a restoration. When I pre-fit the bushings onto the control arm shafts (both upper and lower) there is definite slop such that the bushings can slightly wiggle on the shafts. There is about 3-5 thousandths of an inch difference between the shaft diameters and the inner diameters of the bushings. It sure seems like there should be a tighter fit than this for the front suspension. How much play is acceptable between the control arm shaft and the control arm bushing inner surface?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
Yes, the inner sleeves are in place. The bushings are from Corvette America. I had the shafts powdercoated. The powdercoater cleaned up the shaft surfaces and sand blasted them. Of course the shaft surfaces where the sleeves contact are not powdercoated.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Prothane has a well-known reputation here...and it's not good. I'd send them back and order bushings from VB&P or Energy Suspension (available from Summit).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Morgantown WV
The bushings were from a front end suspension rebuilt kit from Corvette America and arrived in an unmarked plastic bag as part of the kit. I did notice upon inspection of one of the bushings that the polyurethane had a noticable difference in thickness around its circumference which was cause for concern. Thanks for the link to the suggested brand of bushings.
