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I was swapping my CCBs for Gyrodisc rotors and noticed some bushing damage. Curious how bad this looks? It's hard tell what the inside looks like obviously, the car is 9ish years old.
If it's not making noise and there is no play, I wouldn't worry about it.
New lower control arms are pretty much unobtanium. There are a few sites and some dealers where you can "order" one and then a week or so later you'll get an email saying they are unavailable. There is a less than equivalent aftermarket control arm, but I wouldn't use it. That leaves finding a used OEM a-arm or replacing all the bushings with aftermarket which are not rubber and will increase ride harshness if that bothers you. I have monoballs in mine and you feel them. Not horrible but certainly not plush and they weren't cheap.
If it's not making noise and there is no play, I wouldn't worry about it.
New lower control arms are pretty much unobtanium. There are a few sites and some dealers where you can "order" one and then a week or so later you'll get an email saying they are unavailable. There is a less than equivalent aftermarket control arm, but I wouldn't use it. That leaves finding a used OEM a-arm or replacing all the bushings with aftermarket which are not rubber and will increase ride harshness if that bothers you. I have monoballs in mine and you feel them. Not horrible but certainly not plush and they weren't cheap.
I suppose I haven't heard anything, I have no idea how long it's been like that either.
My shop wants to replace the bushings with spherical(s). The ride quality isn't super important to me, its a weekend toy, and a track car. I mean... to a point obviously, I don't want it absolutely painful to drive. The Z07 is already pretty rough.
No idea what that job would run though. I gotta imagine $$$.
I suppose I haven't heard anything, I have no idea how long it's been like that either.
My shop wants to replace the bushings with spherical(s). The ride quality isn't super important to me, its a weekend toy, and a track car. I mean... to a point obviously, I don't want it absolutely painful to drive. The Z07 is already pretty rough.
No idea what that job would run though. I gotta imagine $$$.
I have Z07 springs, sways, and sway bar bushings, as well as a DSC controller to stiffen the shocks further. I have AMT rear toe links and a mix of LG and GSpeed (replaced some bad LG bearings) monoballs (sphericals). I wouldn't drive it everyday but occasional weekend and track stuff is fine. You will have rattles and you will have pops and bangs on rougher roads since there's nothing to absorb the noise.
I'd go with the AMT stuff or GSpeed stuff if you do it. Not cheap. With tax and shipping, the arms will set you back about $3k and then if you can't do the install, figure 6-8 hours of labor plus an alignment when it's all done. Figure all in, it's going to be at least $4.5k and I'll guess closer to $5k or just over. Add in the toe links and new sway bar end links (I use factory) and it'll be $6k in the blink of an eye.
I have Z07 springs, sways, and sway bar bushings, as well as a DSC controller to stiffen the shocks further. I have AMT rear toe links and a mix of LG and GSpeed (replaced some bad LG bearings) monoballs (sphericals). I wouldn't drive it everyday but occasional weekend and track stuff is fine. You will have rattles and you will have pops and bangs on rougher roads since there's nothing to absorb the noise.
I'd go with the AMT stuff or GSpeed stuff if you do it. Not cheap. With tax and shipping, the arms will set you back about $3k and then if you can't do the install, figure 6-8 hours of labor plus an alignment when it's all done. Figure all in, it's going to be at least $4.5k and I'll guess closer to $5k or just over. Add in the toe links and new sway bar end links (I use factory) and it'll be $6k in the blink of an eye.
Why not just replace the bushings in the existing arms on the car? Seems like that would be the cheaper option?
Why not just replace the bushings in the existing arms on the car? Seems like that would be the cheaper option?
You mentioned sphericals so I was providing my experience. Good ones are matched to the arms. Slapping in “one size fits all” bearings probably won’t be very effective.
Cheaper would be replacing all with poly or something similar. There are no replacement rubber bushings.
just as a fyi once I ditched the run flats and oem wheels for summer tires and forged wheels and installed the dsc controller the z07 ride went from race track harsh to enjoyable 2000 mile trip car
If it's not making noise and there is no play, I wouldn't worry about it.
New lower control arms are pretty much unobtanium. There are a few sites and some dealers where you can "order" one and then a week or so later you'll get an email saying they are unavailable. There is a less than equivalent aftermarket control arm, but I wouldn't use it. That leaves finding a used OEM a-arm or replacing all the bushings with aftermarket which are not rubber and will increase ride harshness if that bothers you. I have monoballs in mine and you feel them. Not horrible but certainly not plush and they weren't cheap.
So I thought there was a law that car manufacturers had to make replacement parts for 10 years. Was that just a wives tale?
So I thought there was a law that car manufacturers had to make replacement parts for 10 years. Was that just a wives tale?
Old wives tale. Wouldn't surprise me if there's some emission related components they keep due to warranty but there are plenty of C7 items no longer available or shown as "indefinite back order" or shown as "back ordered no ETA"
You mentioned sphericals so I was providing my experience. Good ones are matched to the arms. Slapping in “one size fits all” bearings probably won’t be very effective.
Cheaper would be replacing all with poly or something similar. There are no replacement rubber bushings.
Cheapest is to find a used arm.
I guess my concern is that aftermarket arms are not going to be as nice as what the z06/07 came with from the factory.
If it's not making noise and there is no play, I wouldn't worry about it.
New lower control arms are pretty much unobtanium. There are a few sites and some dealers where you can "order" one and then a week or so later you'll get an email saying they are unavailable. There is a less than equivalent aftermarket control arm, but I wouldn't use it. That leaves finding a used OEM a-arm or replacing all the bushings with aftermarket which are not rubber and will increase ride harshness if that bothers you. I have monoballs in mine and you feel them. Not horrible but certainly not plush and they weren't cheap.
Originally Posted by Nuclearranger
I guess my concern is that aftermarket arms are not going to be as nice as what the z06/07 came with from the factory.
Exactly what I stated regarding aftermarket arms.
AMT and GSpeed take used factory arms, remove the rubber bushings, and install the bearings. At one point I recall you could send them your arms or you could keep yours but there was a core charge….but it’s been a couple years so I may be thinking of another shop.
If you go with other bushings like 9 sec mentioned, you get the bushings but have to install them yourself or find a shop to do it for you.
With a used factory arm, generally slap it on and go although personally I’d replace the ball joint. AMT sells the exact OEM ball joint for about $45.
AMT and GSpeed take used factory arms, remove the rubber bushings, and install the bearings. At one point I recall you could send them your arms or you could keep yours but there was a core charge….but it’s been a couple years so I may be thinking of another shop.
If you go with other bushings like 9 sec mentioned, you get the bushings but have to install them yourself or find a shop to do it for you.
With a used factory arm, generally slap it on and go although personally I’d replace the ball joint. AMT sells the exact OEM ball joint for about $45.
Ah ok. Thanks for the insights.
So, assuming OEM parts are unobtainable, it sounds like the only real option is to replace the bushings in my existing arms.
So, assuming OEM parts are unobtainable, it sounds like the only real option is to replace the bushings in my existing arms.
The real question is do they need to be replaced? Are you having handling problems? Does the alignment change? As far as I can tell from your pictures, the bushings appear to be in good condition. My experience with C5-C7 suspension control arms is they tend to slide forward or backward on the bushings, depending on how the load is applied. On my C5 the LCA bushings slid far enough to the rear that they rubbed on the cradle. GM changed the bushings somewhat to prevent that from happening on later cars (like my C6).
Here is what the front dog bone bushings looked like on a fairly new car back in June 2016. I happened to capture the front dog bones in some pictures I took of the brake rotors on a 2015 Z06/Z07 after several track events. The car would have had about 5K miles on it by then. The lighting isn't very good but maybe you can use a photo editor to zoom in and lighten the picture to see the condition of the bushings.
An indicator the LCA bushings may have slid to the rear is not being able to achieve the stock or greater caster settings. That is what tipped off the mechanic doing an alignment on my 97. He couldn't get more than 3 degrees of positive caster.
The real question is do they need to be replaced? Are you having handling problems? Does the alignment change? As far as I can tell from your pictures, the bushings appear to be in good condition. My experience with C5-C7 suspension control arms is they tend to slide forward or backward on the bushings, depending on how the load is applied. On my C5 the LCA bushings slid far enough to the rear that they rubbed on the cradle. GM changed the bushings somewhat to prevent that from happening on later cars (like my C6).
Here is what the front dog bone bushings looked like on a fairly new car back in June 2016. I happened to capture the front dog bones in some pictures I took of the brake rotors on a 2015 Z06/Z07 after several track events. The car would have had about 5K miles on it by then. The lighting isn't very good but maybe you can use a photo editor to zoom in and lighten the picture to see the condition of the bushings.
An indicator the LCA bushings may have slid to the rear is not being able to achieve the stock or greater caster settings. That is what tipped off the mechanic doing an alignment on my 97. He couldn't get more than 3 degrees of positive caster.
Bill
The main bushing damaged is the lower one, you can pretty easily see a tear in it, just not sure if it's "superficial" or not. I haven't experienced any ill effects driving yet. (the 2nd image shows it best)
For when/if I ever go back to stock or close to it, I bought used arms, replaced the bushings and have them stored away. With a little bit of patience you can find them for $300-$500 although I think the sellers have caught on to them not being available. Most are low mile. Corvette drivers have an innate ability to go to a "Cars & Coffee", tell the Mustang drivers to hold their beer, and then proceed to crash their car. I bought a couple local via Facebook Marketplace, 1 via eBay, and another was probably the last new one I ever saw come up as available via RockAuto. I put new ball joints in the used ones.
For when/if I ever go back to stock or close to it, I bought used arms, replaced the bushings and have them stored away. With a little bit of patience you can find them for $300-$500 although I think the sellers have caught on to them not being available. Most are low mile. Corvette drivers have an innate ability to go to a "Cars & Coffee", tell the Mustang drivers to hold their beer, and then proceed to crash their car. I bought a couple local via Facebook Marketplace, 1 via eBay, and another was probably the last new one I ever saw come up as available via RockAuto. I put new ball joints in the used ones.
Bad lower control arm bushing(s)?
