Pfadt Poly Bushing Install
03-18-2011, 01:20 PM
#21
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Bronson FL
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
That's not the case Micah. If you'll notice some of the Pfadt bushings came split and some did not.
The only you can not split are the ones for the rear shock absorber mounts.
The real mounting of the bushings (control arms) is the center pin area. The bushing itself reduces deflection (movement) which is the main reason that track guys use these.
VBP has used the split bushing design for years because they figured out that GM's control arms are not all the same dimensions inside diameter of control arms.
What happens if you're smaller on the diameter is that you get too much bushing hanging out the ends and thus you can not fit the control arm back into the cradle.
Hope that answers your questions. I really wish that Aaron would post better installation instructions and guidance on using his products.
I have had several discussions with him over the years regarding the lack of instuctions, etc... Not everyody is an engineer or has their own super garage to install these products.
Tony
The only you can not split are the ones for the rear shock absorber mounts.
The real mounting of the bushings (control arms) is the center pin area. The bushing itself reduces deflection (movement) which is the main reason that track guys use these.
VBP has used the split bushing design for years because they figured out that GM's control arms are not all the same dimensions inside diameter of control arms.
What happens if you're smaller on the diameter is that you get too much bushing hanging out the ends and thus you can not fit the control arm back into the cradle.
Hope that answers your questions. I really wish that Aaron would post better installation instructions and guidance on using his products.
I have had several discussions with him over the years regarding the lack of instuctions, etc... Not everyody is an engineer or has their own super garage to install these products.
Tony
Tony,
I called pfadt (as it sounds you have done also) and asked about this tight fight (if I can use the word loosey
). Aaron said that I can also take a grinder and shave one end off a little to make things fit, so it may save me and Chucktown2012 the hassel of pressing the installed bushing out.
Appreciate the tips and advice on this matter. I also understand your statement about the other bushings being cut in half and my only arguement in that is this...those are all upper arms and the lower arms are all solid (rear section of the car), so that leads me to believe that the design was not meant to be cut and that was my concern.
Again, thanks!
Micah
03-18-2011, 03:39 PM
#22
Race Director
Tony,
I called pfadt (as it sounds you have done also) and asked about this tight fight (if I can use the word loosey). Aaron said that I can also take a grinder and shave one end off a little to make things fit, so it may save me and Chucktown2012 the hassel of pressing the installed bushing out.
Appreciate the tips and advice on this matter. I also understand your statement about the other bushings being cut in half and my only arguement in that is this...those are all upper arms and the lower arms are all solid (rear section of the car), so that leads me to believe that the design was not meant to be cut and that was my concern.
Again, thanks!
Micah
I called pfadt (as it sounds you have done also) and asked about this tight fight (if I can use the word loosey
). Aaron said that I can also take a grinder and shave one end off a little to make things fit, so it may save me and Chucktown2012 the hassel of pressing the installed bushing out.Appreciate the tips and advice on this matter. I also understand your statement about the other bushings being cut in half and my only arguement in that is this...those are all upper arms and the lower arms are all solid (rear section of the car), so that leads me to believe that the design was not meant to be cut and that was my concern.
Again, thanks!
Micah
I would not grind the outer edges, but instead cut the bushing in half. You are picking up extra length because your inner diameter is narrower than the specification that Pfadt used to make the bushings.
03-18-2011, 04:36 PM
#23
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Bronson FL
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
VBP cuts all of theirs in half. Gringing down on the outer edge of the bushing could cause metal on metal rubbing because of the control arms rotating and twisting motion.
I would not grind the outer edges, but instead cut the bushing in half. You are picking up extra length because your inner diameter is narrower than the specification that Pfadt used to make the bushings.
I would not grind the outer edges, but instead cut the bushing in half. You are picking up extra length because your inner diameter is narrower than the specification that Pfadt used to make the bushings.
We will see.
Micah
03-18-2011, 04:37 PM
#24
VBP cuts all of theirs in half. Gringing down on the outer edge of the bushing could cause metal on metal rubbing because of the control arms rotating and twisting motion.
I would not grind the outer edges, but instead cut the bushing in half. You are picking up extra length because your inner diameter is narrower than the specification that Pfadt used to make the bushings.
I would not grind the outer edges, but instead cut the bushing in half. You are picking up extra length because your inner diameter is narrower than the specification that Pfadt used to make the bushings.
I have VB&P in my Vette, yes they are cut. But Pfadt recommended this and it will be fine.
03-18-2011, 04:43 PM
#25
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Bronson FL
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Tony...
If all else fails...I will revert to your recommendation. I really am NOT trying to get into any sort of pissing match. This reminds me of a working on a car with a couple of alpha males and we all want to do the install differently.
If all else fails...I will revert to your recommendation. I really am NOT trying to get into any sort of pissing match. This reminds me of a working on a car with a couple of alpha males and we all want to do the install differently.
03-18-2011, 05:40 PM
#26
Race Director
Understand all. Bushings being shaved dwon equally on both sides will be minor. Also, you do realize that there are aluminum washers that physically touch the cradle? They dont move though. The bushing will be touching the a arm and the washer.
I have VB&P in my Vette, yes they are cut. But Pfadt recommended this and it will be fine.
I have VB&P in my Vette, yes they are cut. But Pfadt recommended this and it will be fine.
The control arms flex and if their is not enough material on the outside lip you could get some metal on metal grinding.
No pissing match, just some helpful hints from one who suffered for months trying to straighten out all of the problems I had getting them installed.
The front uppers were the worse as the "C" clips kept blowing off in any aggressive driving.
As I once read in a Forbes Magazine many years ago, "Many people receive advice but few profit by it". (i.e. not too many people listen to what other have to say), they rather learn from the school of hard knocks.
I've had enough lessons at the school of hard knocks and don't want any more lessons.
Most of all I'm tired of being a guinea pig for a bunch of these vendors selling kits like this one with no instructions or information about problems you may encounter when buying their product.
Here's a few pictures from my install with my buddy Zenak.
03-18-2011, 05:52 PM
#27
Tech Contributor
Wow guys 
Cutting, grinding, and paying good money for these parts...that are SUPPOSED to be made for a C5? 
I certainly hope you won all your races...as a result of the bushings..
Cutting, grinding, and paying good money for these parts...that are SUPPOSED to be made for a C5? I certainly hope you won all your races...as a result of the bushings..
03-18-2011, 07:36 PM
#28
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2004
Location: Bronson FL
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Tony,
I definitely see your point and I may cut vice grind. Decisions, decisions, decisions!
I will keep you posted.
Micah
