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replacing control arm bushings

Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 11:06 am
by herr_sparky
i'm replacing the bonded rubber with custom made delrin flanged bushings like these:

Image

...does the outer sleeve need to be removed or can the new bushings be sized to press into it?

example: bushing center and rubber removed, outer sleeve still pressed into arm:

Image

Bushings

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 6:01 am
by FJCamper
Hi Sparky,

By the way, you've got the "nom de net" name the resident ignition specialist should have. Herr Sparky is great.

The original steel bushing was just to contain the rubber. If you machine your Delin down to fit witnin the old outer bushing, and the old bushing is smooth and round, you're okay.

FJC

Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 7:17 am
by herr_sparky
thanks...i can only afford to to this job once, so i'm double checking everything. i measured them at each end and found some difference, but very little (0.004"), and that could just be my cheapo calipers. so i think i'll be able to make 4 identical bushings...

Posted: Mon Apr 20, 2009 5:13 am
by raygreenwood
The type 4 control arms tend to be juuust slightly egg shaped. On mine I made both about .010" oversized and just custom sanded to fit. It was not too tedious.

Re: replacing control arm bushings

Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 10:01 pm
by FJCamper
Hi Hypeboy,

Oh yes, a bad bushing can cause self-steering front or rear suspension.

Think -- you've got movement exactly where you don't want it.

FJC