Front Control Arm Bushings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
Front Control Arm Bushings
My polyurathane control arm bushings are falling apart after 5years and about 2000 miles. Maybe I over torqued them, because the bolts kept backing out? I am starting to remove the control arms, again
, and would like your suggestions for front control arm bushings.
, and would like your suggestions for front control arm bushings.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 14
From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
Tex, I did this less than a year ago. But I installed the OEM rubber. I was informed that you do not torque the bushing bolts tight until you have the car back on the ground under its own weight. Not sure if you did this or not, but it seems be very important in preventing in-proper wear.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Sonoma Ca.
Tex, I did this less than a year ago. But I installed the OEM rubber. I was informed that you do not torque the bushing bolts tight until you have the car back on the ground under its own weight. Not sure if you did this or not, but it seems be very important in preventing in-proper wear.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Sonoma Ca.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 8
From: Enid Oklahoma
Poly wear is common if not greased enough or the wrong kind of grease is used. And lock tight will keep the bolts in. I had poly on my big truck for about 50K and never had them wear out. And the front of my Torino for 10 years before I sold it. But I would be hard pressed to recommend something to someone who has already had bad luck with it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 975
Likes: 108
From: Phoenix, AZ
QUOTE=Rebelrob;1580349605]Tex, I did this less than a year ago. But I installed the OEM rubber. I was informed that you do not torque the bushing bolts tight until you have the car back on the ground under its own weight. Not sure if you did this or not, but it seems be very important in preventing in-proper wear.[/QUOTE]
I just installed the all ca bushings and waited to torque the bolts until after driving the car around. The AIM indicates 45-55lbs for the front bushings.
I just installed the all ca bushings and waited to torque the bolts until after driving the car around. The AIM indicates 45-55lbs for the front bushings.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,839
Likes: 45
From: nassau co. new york
for those who don't want the hassle of reaching the upper a-
arm bolts you can measure the angle of the cross shaft flat in relation to the arm with a home made tool and tighten them on your bench.this works only when replacing a rubber bushing for obvious reasons.
arm bolts you can measure the angle of the cross shaft flat in relation to the arm with a home made tool and tighten them on your bench.this works only when replacing a rubber bushing for obvious reasons.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City Texas
The poly bushings where the kind where the old hardware is required....I guess this was a bad choise. The Shaft bolts did have lock washers, but still backed out ot the cross shaft.
Rubber bushings seem to be the suggestion. What manufacturer would you recommend?
I am concerned about cheap rubber parts.
Rubber bushings seem to be the suggestion. What manufacturer would you recommend?
I am concerned about cheap rubber parts.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
For rubber most name brands should be fine as lone as its not their service/builder/mechanic grade. Raybestos Pro grade is good.
But I had poly control arm bushing in my first car and they held up fine.
So make sure its not something on the car or the install that caused the probem as many here have run poly just fine. i.e. if you want poly run poly.
But I had poly control arm bushing in my first car and they held up fine.
So make sure its not something on the car or the install that caused the probem as many here have run poly just fine. i.e. if you want poly run poly.
