Z06 upper Control Arm Bushing slipping out
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton/Davenport Bermuda/Florida
Z06 upper Control Arm Bushing slipping out
Bought my First C6 Z06 a few weeks ago and I'm in the process of sorting it out. I Changed the tires earlier today and noticed that one of the passenger side, upper control arm bushing, was a bit out of place. I did intend to change then out for the poly bushings, as part of a planned suspension upgrade. My question is, Is this cause for immediate concern or will it be fine for a bit. Also, has anyone tried the Callaway Coilovers, that works in conjunction with the stock springs? if so, how much improvements do they offer over the stock spring deletion option.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
Hpde will do that to you. Some have reported success by reversing the bushing. I would guess it depends on how hard and far you intend to keep driving it before going to poly. Big debates on the forum regarding poly, delrin, and bearings and your intended use of the car.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton/Davenport Bermuda/Florida
Hpde will do that to you. Some have reported success by reversing the bushing. I would guess it depends on how hard and far you intend to keep driving it before going to poly. Big debates on the forum regarding poly, delrin, and bearings and your intended use of the car.
Last edited by 222Z06; Jan 17, 2015 at 01:13 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,058
Likes: 9,821
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Not sure that it was HPDE that did that. Usually hard braking is the culprit and the body slides forward on both dog bones since the control arms slow down when the brakes are applied and the forward momentum of the body weight is applied to the control arms. Add a very hot environment due to the heat from the brakes and the engine and the bushings have a lot of work to do. What do the lower control arms look like?? They take just as much abuse. Notice yours has slid rearward only on the rear dog bone instead of both of them.
The LCAs on one of my C5s slid so far that the control arm was rubbing against the cradle and damaging it. We noticed the cause when we couldn't get any caster angles more than 3 degrees when trying to do an alignment.
Bill
The LCAs on one of my C5s slid so far that the control arm was rubbing against the cradle and damaging it. We noticed the cause when we couldn't get any caster angles more than 3 degrees when trying to do an alignment.
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,001
Likes: 243
From: Surprise, Az
Poly - don't take it from me, you would be better off using the search function for the forum in this section and the autocross/road racing section.
The poly's seem to have a hard time staying in place, there is a snap ring that had difficulty staying fastened and would work its way out.
I think OEM is probably the best bet for rubber. There is a thread on the forum where one of the members reversed one of the bushings to help keep them in place, again I'm going from memory, the OP used pictures for his illustration.
A great explanation from Bill, he's in instructor with way more experience, I'm an advanced intermediate. I haven't had seen the issue on my GS.
The poly's seem to have a hard time staying in place, there is a snap ring that had difficulty staying fastened and would work its way out.
I think OEM is probably the best bet for rubber. There is a thread on the forum where one of the members reversed one of the bushings to help keep them in place, again I'm going from memory, the OP used pictures for his illustration.
A great explanation from Bill, he's in instructor with way more experience, I'm an advanced intermediate. I haven't had seen the issue on my GS.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have three sets of control arms with different bushings. Can't fix stupid.........
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton/Davenport Bermuda/Florida
Not sure that it was HPDE that did that. Usually hard braking is the culprit and the body slides forward on both dog bones since the control arms slow down when the brakes are applied and the forward momentum of the body weight is applied to the control arms. Add a very hot environment due to the heat from the brakes and the engine and the bushings have a lot of work to do. What do the lower control arms look like?? They take just as much abuse. Notice yours has slid rearward only on the rear dog bone instead of both of them.
The LCAs on one of my C5s slid so far that the control arm was rubbing against the cradle and damaging it. We noticed the cause when we couldn't get any caster angles more than 3 degrees when trying to do an alignment.
Bill
The LCAs on one of my C5s slid so far that the control arm was rubbing against the cradle and damaging it. We noticed the cause when we couldn't get any caster angles more than 3 degrees when trying to do an alignment.
Bill
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton/Davenport Bermuda/Florida
I have three sets of control arms with different bushings. Can't fix stupid.........
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 495
From: Southern California
I'm not in a position to make a recommendation as to the choice of a replacement but it should be pointed out that if that stock bushing lets go at an inappropriate moment, say a hard launch or a high G corner, you could be in for a BIG SURPRISE in the handling department.
On a less dramatic note, at some point your tire will begin to devour itself because the toe will drift out of spec.
On a less dramatic note, at some point your tire will begin to devour itself because the toe will drift out of spec.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I'm not in a position to make a recommendation as to the choice of a replacement but it should be pointed out that if that stock bushing lets go at an inappropriate moment, say a hard launch or a high G corner, you could be in for a BIG SURPRISE in the handling department.
On a less dramatic note, at some point your tire will begin to devour itself because the toe will drift out of spec.
On a less dramatic note, at some point your tire will begin to devour itself because the toe will drift out of spec.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 2
From: Hamilton/Davenport Bermuda/Florida
For sure. Just had brand new tires installed, trued and balanced. I'm heading back to Bermuda today, so it will be parked until I return. Then I'll do all the repairs and upgrades. I checked yesterday, and the Control Arm is bent. The gap between the yoke is 4mm shorter than the other side. Thought I'd include a photo or my toys.
Last edited by 222Z06; Jan 19, 2015 at 08:07 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 48
From: CT
I have 2 rear uppers from a base Z51 with Delrin if you want. If you're changing the bushings anyway you may be able to use the dogbone from yours and my arms.
Im not 100% on this but if you want them Ill sell them to you cheap. You may have a hard time finding anything but a full set.
let me know
Chris
Im not 100% on this but if you want them Ill sell them to you cheap. You may have a hard time finding anything but a full set.
let me know
Chris
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 870
Likes: 15
From: Upland, CA
I have three sets of control arms with different bushings. Can't fix stupid.........
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
Stock, Poly and T1. I like the T1.You can buy the individual parts.
http://www.vetteworksintl.com/c6suspensions.html
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 462
From: Southern Utah
I was thinking maybe the arm was bent...since the distance between the two bushing ends would have to be off in order to have one end centered on its' mount but the other not so. A bend would gradually work one of the ends out of its' bushing.
I also agree with the above...this kind of problem could cause a very expensive tire surprise too. They are expensive.
I also agree with the above...this kind of problem could cause a very expensive tire surprise too. They are expensive.
Last edited by cclive; Mar 3, 2015 at 12:35 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I would call LG in Plano TX, ask for Bobby and he will help you. They have forgotten more about Corvettes that most people know.
https://www.lgmotorsports.com/