BLKMGK Posted February 18, 2001 Share Posted February 18, 2001 Okay, I'm reassembling my rear suspension slowly but surely and I'm using urethane from Energy Suspension. Needless to say parts are scattered all through their "kit" and instructions are pretty much ZERO so figuring out which bushing goes where is a real chore (grumble). However, that's actually not my current problem... On my rear arms, just back from the powder shop, I'm unable to insert the bushings on the outer ends where the strut bolts on. Looking VERY closely at it and at a spare arm I'm seeing what looks like the out shell from a bushing in there. When I removed the stock bushings I simply heated until the stock bushing dropped out - no outer shell on it. Is there an outer shell on the stock bushing? 'Cause it looks liek if I were to remove that piece these bushings would drop right in. Trouble is - if it's in there it's not only siezed but it's now powdercoatedsealed in! Ideas on removing it if I must? Hack saw in the inner hole maybe? I'd like to NOT trash the coating (ahem). If I had a lathe I'd simply turn down the outside diameter but no lathe here yet (sigh). I'd appreciate some advice guys! I'll try to take some pics of the progress - we're finally moving forward now! More on the progress in another post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted February 18, 2001 Share Posted February 18, 2001 Hey Blackmgk, Just addressed that in your other post on where you asked for tips when pulling the rear & removing the control arm spindles. Read my last entry there & that should help you. Yes you have to hacksaw the bushings out & I would make sure & remove any/all paint/powdercoat from the inside of the lower control arms where the bushings are going to go as you should coat them heavily w/the special lube that came w/your kit. We all know that lube & paint/podercoating doesnt mix! Kevin. [This message has been edited by Kevin Shasteen (edited February 17, 2001).] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted February 18, 2001 Author Share Posted February 18, 2001 Yup, I screwed up. So far I've not had to remove the coating except in one or two spots. We'll see - they WILL be well lubed though, my Mustang has some urethane and the squeeks are terrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted February 18, 2001 Share Posted February 18, 2001 quote: Originally posted by BLKMGK: they WILL be well lubed though, my Mustang has some urethane and the squeeks are terrible! Blkmgk, Dont only lube the bushings but also lube the spindles as much as you possibly can & the spindles still slide in w/out back pressure pushing them out...(Oh, Man; almost sounds like I'm talking about something else-HOTFLASH). But you understand what I'm getting at. Kevin, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 18, 2001 Share Posted February 18, 2001 Why don't they make graphite impregnated urethane units so we could do away with lube altogether? They are not supposed to squeek (of course perception is not aways reality and vice versa) and would be a welcome product for our cars. Waddaya think? David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted February 19, 2001 Author Share Posted February 19, 2001 I got it fixed! I also got to use a new tool I started off with a hand chisel and my sawzall - no hacksaw for me thanks! I started by cutting them as best I could in about 3 places, then using the chisel to push the edges inwards - talk about slow.. Then I remembered th e$13 air chisel I just got from Northern Freight. Someone else had mentioned using one of these and when I saw it in their ad for $13 I picked one up - glad I did! Once I had an edge started I could use the chisel to pound on it and slowly cut it up. It's adjustable so I could lessen the power as needed (good thing too!). I just kept going back and forth with the chisel and sawzall till I managed to pound them out - sure glad I don't need to reuse the shells, they were TOAST. They were also seized 100% - I used a little liquid wrench on them while I was at it. I really feel stupid for not having noticed this but if Energy Suspension had put in ANY instructions at all I might have been able to avoid this. Sheesh! P.S. I'd have documented this but I was so darned cold and so darned mad that taking pics didn't occur to me till the end! What few pics I've taken lately are on my site under misc Z Pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jason Posted February 19, 2001 Share Posted February 19, 2001 I have some graphite impregnated urethane on order, but I'm still worried about the squeaking. Urethane isn't a very slippery plastic. I had this idea to drill out the bushings and then shove a self lubricating bronze bushing inside. Anyone want to try it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavyZ Posted February 19, 2001 Share Posted February 19, 2001 I have read that if the urethane is impregnated with graphite it will be quiet. And, get this, if you use lube it screws up everything and it will squeak!(?) If I have it in writing from a company that this is true, I'm willing to take everything apart and replace the rubber and then put it all back together assuming it will work. If it squeaks, I'm fit to be tied! The urethane bushings on my Volvo squeak regardless of whether there is lube on them or not. They are not silent and have never been silent. I'm wondering if the graphite laden bushings are better? If so, I'll get some for the Z. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted February 20, 2001 Author Share Posted February 20, 2001 Mustang guys will cut grooves in the center of the swaybar bushings up front, drill a hole, and use Zerk fittings to quiet them down. I didn't do this and had to spray silicone spray on them for over a year before they shut up! If the Z squeeks like that at every bushing I'll need a VERY loud stereo asap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spotfitz Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 When I bought my bushings from Energy Suspension they told me that the black bushings they sold WERE graphite impregnated, yet they still sent the lube in each of the packagings(except sway bar end links) and after feeling them it appears that they are not graphite impregnated. Was this false advertisement? Anyone else come to this conclusion on ES's stuff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Shasteen Posted February 20, 2001 Share Posted February 20, 2001 quote: Originally posted by BLKMGK: If Energy Suspension had put in ANY instructions at all I might have been able to avoid this. Sheesh! P.S. I'd have documented this but I was so darned cold Myron, How bout a picture of you freezing your butt off....you're definately a trooper. I didnt like their instructions either. Took me awhile to figure out their TC-Rod set up as well. Some illegal alien being paid less than minimum wage must have written their instructions. I was also a little miffed when it hit me that front sway bar bushings were not included; guess they know that most owners will install a beefier front bar. About the grease impregnated bushings...not sure I'ld know one when I saw one, sorry. Kevin, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLKMGK Posted February 21, 2001 Author Share Posted February 21, 2001 No sway bar bushings? I'm not to that point yet but.. they did include a measuring tape that I ASSumed was to measure the bar. If not I wonder what that thing is for?! I'll update when I know - I've got a HUGE bar that I might use but I'm not sure I want to risk my frame rails... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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