silicone boy Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Is it just my imagination or do aftermarket polyurethane suspension bushings (e.g. energy suspension, g-machine) not always fit just right. I'm speaking specifically of the outer rear control arm bushings. I've ordered two differents sets from two different companies now and they are about 1/32 in too big. I've had to "machine" them down with my belt sander. When I think about it, this happens every time I do a bushing job on a suspension. Is there some magic chant I'm supposed to say beforehand to get it to work? I recently saw an editorial in one of the hotrod mags about the aftermarket auto parts industry and how it was a "50%" industry. They only do the job half right, or right half the time. Like, when we order an intake manifold, why don't they send us all the plugs we'll need? It's frustrating Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim240z Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 I used the ones that MSA sells and didn't have much of a problem. I just lathered them in white grease, got them started and then hammered them home with a block of wood and a hammer. I actually found the front control arms more difficult to do than the rears. Oh, on the rears, I ground a slight bevel on the opening edge with my porting tool (pneumatic), just to help get it started. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 I had good luck with the front control arm bushings from MSA and the steering rack bushings. Good suggestion Tim with the white grease and bevel introduction. Silicone... you are just getting the other 50%. A friend complained bitterly about a few bushings in a full set of front and rear bushings and another complete set was sent to him without any return on his part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Yep - been there. I bought mine from Energy suspension, right in the store in Pheonix. I had to cut the larger diameter that you can see once installed to about half it's thickness. What a pain! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted June 7, 2002 Share Posted June 7, 2002 Actually, after working on my 911 and 914 and installing poly bushings, I have found that the bushings are perfect, its the control arms that are imperfect. I had spoken with Greg Fordahl (Fordahl Motorsports) about this and he hones the control arm bushing area until all the raised spots are gone and the bushing slides in with just a bit of resistance. The bushing are on suspension doesn't have to be perfect when you are pressing in a soft rubber bushing. With the poly, you can get a nice finish with a bit of honing. Don't go to far though. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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