second try poly A-arm rebuild (help)
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 893
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From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
second try poly A-arm rebuild (help)
How much space should there be between the shaft end and the bushing end of the a-arms. Should bushings be shortened. I have a set of energy suspension poly bushings. I'm not talking about the bushing only. I'm talking about the inner metal "tube" of the bushing and the end of the metal shaft. Is it correct that there is a cavity? I think there is a bout less then half an inch.
Here are some pictures Left = lower right is upper
Here are some pictures Left = lower right is upper
Pro
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 649
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From: Shelby Twp MI
When I did mine, I don't remember going into that level of detail. I simply tapped in one bushing into the a-arm, slid the shaft in until the shoulder bottomed out and then tapped in the other bushing. There is a torque requirement for the bolts though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
Hahaha, It's in the details Mr Watson, the details
I thought it was that kind of job also, but this stood out. I expected it to be like the upper, but this seems a bit big.
I thought it was that kind of job also, but this stood out. I expected it to be like the upper, but this seems a bit big.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 733
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From: Coquitlam British Columbia
Cajos it has been some time since i did mine but there was definitely a trick to getting the poly bushings on easier.My problem is it is not fresh in my memory, but I believe I put the inner sleeve on first then grease it up with some poly grease then was able to slide the poly bushing over the inner sleeve and A arm with out much effort. I remember doing it with the sleeve pre positioned in the poly busing first which would seem the logical way and and it was a struggle, no way you could just press it on with your hands. So you might want to give it a try and see if that helps I know it made a world of difference for me.Experiment a bit until they go on easier as I do know there is a trick to it at least there was for me.
ikwhite
ikwhite
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
Guy's (ikwhite & thegazman) That is not the issue, "Getting them on".
I'm just asking if the distance or gap is right or is the bushing too big? Look at the last pic, that's about halve an inch difference, between shaft and bushing!!
Thanks for your input any way!
I'm just asking if the distance or gap is right or is the bushing too big? Look at the last pic, that's about halve an inch difference, between shaft and bushing!!
Thanks for your input any way!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
Are the shoulders on the cross shafts the same length? Sounds like a bushing issue. I've have problems with some ES products not being correct dimension,but I've never used poly A arm bushings. You don't want the end of the shaft out of the bushing or they won't tighten as you probably know.If too shallow you have to check to see how much thread will bite into it.
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Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: California
I got this one... doing the same thing right now... Got some new poly bushings from VBP and in there instructions it states to cut or grind the inner bushings to .020" extruding. that is have then stick out .020" farther then the poly surface that is covered by the large washer. 
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: California
Yup... that is it.. but the poly bushing and the outer mettle jacket will go farther in when installed into the a-arms. thus leaving the inner mettle jacket to far out, thus the cutting or grinding of the inner mettle jacket is required to achieve a +.02" additional length beyond the poly bushing.
Currently your poly bushing and outer ring are to far out. once installed in the A-arm they will be farther inward, leaving that inner mettle sleeve hanging out... when you install it you will see
Your first picture, right bushing looks correct, the reason for the small protrusion of the inner jacket is to prevent that DARN squeaking. But to far out ant it will wack your alignment and tightness of the suspension.
Currently your poly bushing and outer ring are to far out. once installed in the A-arm they will be farther inward, leaving that inner mettle sleeve hanging out... when you install it you will see
Your first picture, right bushing looks correct, the reason for the small protrusion of the inner jacket is to prevent that DARN squeaking. But to far out ant it will wack your alignment and tightness of the suspension.
Last edited by pauldana; Mar 22, 2009 at 10:16 AM.
yup.. the uppers are different from the lowers
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
I thought that auto manufacturers started to standardize parts back in the early 1900s. Confused & Interested to know why wouldn't they all fit the same and why would you need to custom modify specifically for each application?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Albuquerque New Mexico
cajos - just a thought - your warning sign may benefit from some more clarification as to a weight limit or possibly some specifics on age, sex, etc. just kiddin but you did leave it pretty open ended there so I'd be careful what you ask for.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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From: California
so that is what i did and mine work great now!! no squeak so far..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hazerswoude-Rijndijk Zuid Holland
Thus far I had no response from Energy Suspension, which is a bit of a bummer. My issue is not with the metal sleeve vs poly sleeve That seems to be a good snug fit. My issue is about the metal shaft where the inner bushing fits over. With the uppers it is about 1/16" with the lower it seems the shaft comes about 1/2" short.
I had some confirmation on another forum. I'm very surprised that no one mentions this in a write-up.
WillEE, I'm Dutch and not shocked easily ;-)
I had some confirmation on another forum. I'm very surprised that no one mentions this in a write-up.
WillEE, I'm Dutch and not shocked easily ;-)
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 69
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From: Petersburg va
I put the same bushings on mine, and there are 2 different sizes, that is way to far of a gap on your last picture, i put mine in the freezer for a couple of hours greased them up and had no issues and they work great.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
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From: California
Thus far I had no response from Energy Suspension, which is a bit of a bummer. My issue is not with the metal sleeve vs poly sleeve That seems to be a good snug fit. My issue is about the metal shaft where the inner bushing fits over. With the uppers it is about 1/16" with the lower it seems the shaft comes about 1/2" short.
I had some confirmation on another forum. I'm very surprised that no one mentions this in a write-up.
WillEE, I'm Dutch and not shocked easily ;-)
I had some confirmation on another forum. I'm very surprised that no one mentions this in a write-up.
WillEE, I'm Dutch and not shocked easily ;-)
Install the outer steel and inner poly first,,, you will see
or you can call me and I can explain... or call VBP and they can explain...