[Z06] Lower front control arm bushing compressing
Thread Starter
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Federal Way, WA WA
Lower front control arm bushing compressing
My Z06 after only 7000 miles and several autocross events had the lower control arm bushings compressed towards the rear so bad the front half of the arm was rubbing metal to metal on the mount. The dealer that replaced both front lower control arms and bushing told me it happened because I race it and they would only replace it one time, which they did. I know of 4 other Z06's with the exact same problem and would like to know how many owner's have noticed this problem. If you haven't looked at the rear half of the front lower control arm you won't really know the bushing is being squeezed to hell and back. There was no symptom while driving. It was brought to my attention while having the car aligned.
The replacement arms have bushings that are just as soft as the original. I have friends with older vettes that have been raced for 10 years without this problem occuring. What does anybody know about this?
:cry
[Modified by Deane Beardsley, 10:01 AM 1/3/2002]
The replacement arms have bushings that are just as soft as the original. I have friends with older vettes that have been raced for 10 years without this problem occuring. What does anybody know about this?
:cry
[Modified by Deane Beardsley, 10:01 AM 1/3/2002]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (z06bliss)
they all do that, your lucky you have any rearward portion of the bushing left at all, they usually tear out completely.
don't pay any attention to Z06bliss, he's got coilovers on the brain :crazy:
don't pay any attention to Z06bliss, he's got coilovers on the brain :crazy:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,518
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From: Toms River NJ
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (TeamZ06)
:D :yesnod:
they all do that, your lucky you have any rearward portion of the bushing left at all, they usually tear out completely.
don't pay any attention to Z06bliss, he's got coilovers on the brain :crazy:
don't pay any attention to Z06bliss, he's got coilovers on the brain :crazy:
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (z06bliss)
Am I missing something?
Coil overs will allow one to remove the lower control arms?
How about removing the upper control arms too while we're at it.
That'd eliminate FOUR bushings!
Yea, that's the ticket! No more bushing trouble at all.
This would increase tire life astronomically also.
Coil overs will allow one to remove the lower control arms?
How about removing the upper control arms too while we're at it.
That'd eliminate FOUR bushings!
Yea, that's the ticket! No more bushing trouble at all.
This would increase tire life astronomically also.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 498
Likes: 3
From: huntington NY
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (VetNutJim)
Jim-
Great idea!
I think they had something like that called a solid axle front end!
Don't know how it would be for Autocrossing, however!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Great idea!
I think they had something like that called a solid axle front end!
Don't know how it would be for Autocrossing, however!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,708
Likes: 1
From: Bedford NH
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (Deane Beardsley)
They all do that, it due to braking forces and has nothing to spring rates coilovers etc. The only solution I know of of urethane or delrin bushings (Vette Brakes, Etc.) but that is not allowed in T1 and other classes. If anybody has other ideas, I would like to hear them!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (rickvette)
Seriously, has anyone upgraded these bushings to polyurethane? Vette Brakes & Ecklers advertise them.
Is it a doable DIY? There sure are a lot of bushings, and the rubber is incredibly soft...
Is it a doable DIY? There sure are a lot of bushings, and the rubber is incredibly soft...
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,708
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From: Bedford NH
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (rjn)
Yes, I have installed the VB&P urethane kit (on my car and 2 others). It is ALOT of work, and I mean ALOT. Can you do it yourself??? obviously that depends on your tools and skill. It took me a couple of days because I hand fitted each bushing so that it fit and rotated perfectly with no slop but very low friction (use lots of waterproof grease). If you just throw the kit in, it will squeak like crazy and will be harsh over the cracks in the road. Don't get me wrong, the VB&P kit is very high quality (and unlike some other brands, the urethane is black so it is very hard for inspectors or your competitors to tell you are not stock) but it certainly is not an easy installation to do well. It will permanently solve the front lower bushing problem, and the car will handle much better, especially with race rubber. In summary, very good product, but a ton of work to install.
[Modified by ghoffman, 7:57 AM 1/4/2002]
[Modified by ghoffman, 7:57 AM 1/4/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (ghoffman)
Gary,
Thanks very much for your help.
In re-reading my own post, I should have been more specific. I'm more concerned with tools required for bushing removal and install. I'm reasonably adept at removing and installing assembly level suspension pieces
- Do you need a press to get either the old ones out or the new ones in?
- 4 control arm pivot bushings per corner is ALOT of work, even if it's not difficult. I can do tedious, but want to be able to finish what I start :)
Any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Rob
Thanks very much for your help.
In re-reading my own post, I should have been more specific. I'm more concerned with tools required for bushing removal and install. I'm reasonably adept at removing and installing assembly level suspension pieces
- Do you need a press to get either the old ones out or the new ones in?
- 4 control arm pivot bushings per corner is ALOT of work, even if it's not difficult. I can do tedious, but want to be able to finish what I start :)
Any thoughts?
Thanks again,
Rob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
From: Toms River NJ
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (rjn)
We forgive you, and as always ...
COIL OVERS RULE!!!!!!!
(just kidding, I better calm down, eh :) ?)
COIL OVERS RULE!!!!!!!
(just kidding, I better calm down, eh :) ?)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,708
Likes: 1
From: Bedford NH
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (rjn)
No, you don't need a press. Obviously, you need to get the car up on jack stands, and need a ball joint separator. The way I remove the old ones is to use a simple propane torch to heat the INNER steel sleeve until the rubber gets messy and then the sleeve comes out like it is greased. Once the inner sleeve is out, the rubber is not compressed anymore and you can remove the rubber easily with a long screwdriver. This way, you don't risk hurting the aluminum control arm. It is messy, but the tools clean up with solvent. Then if you are **** (like me! lol) and have a belt sander, you can fit the bushings (mainly the rears) so that it just fits with a light pressure into their respective sockets. I also chucked the new steel sleeves in a drill press and ran the urethane bushings in before installation. The front end is the easiest, especially the uppers. Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Re: Lower front control arm bushing compressing (ghoffman)
Gary,
Thanks for the additional info, I see where this could easily be a multi-day project. Unfortunately, I see myself doing this before I'm done "sorting" this car for the track, but at least I know what I'm in for...
Z06Bliss, I think it's time for your medication...
Thanks for the additional info, I see where this could easily be a multi-day project. Unfortunately, I see myself doing this before I'm done "sorting" this car for the track, but at least I know what I'm in for...
Z06Bliss, I think it's time for your medication...
