Control Arm Bushing replacement

[SigFTW]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

Thanks for the update.

The last set of bushings I put in my 78 truck was back in 1991, and they were rubber so I guess I will put in urethane, and they will out last me !!

Looks like your truck is about to hit the road, nice job!

I still have a long way to go before it's street legal, it's been so hot here in Texas that it's slowed my rebuild down considerably.

[solidaxel]

I understand HOT !!!

[bluex]

Just FYI guys the red bushings are just poly while the black ones are graphite impregnated (polygraphite) should be less likely to squeak later on with the black. But do use plenty of the supplied grease when installing either set.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by bluex

Just FYI guys the red bushings are just poly while the black ones are graphite impregnated (polygraphite) should be less likely to squeak later on with the black. But do use plenty of the supplied grease when installing either set.

So where is the best place to buy the black ones?

SigFTW where did you get your red ones?

[SigFTW]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

So where is the best place to buy the black ones?

SigFTW where did you get your red ones?

I bough mine at http://www.aftermarketsuspensionparts.com/

[SigFTW]

Originally Posted by bluex

Just FYI guys the red bushings are just poly while the black ones are graphite impregnated (polygraphite) should be less likely to squeak later on with the black. But do use plenty of the supplied grease when installing either set.

The red ones I bought are the same as the black ones.

From thier page.
Prothane makes parts in 2 colors. Red and Black.

How are these two colors different?

Aside from the actual color, the red parts are essentially the same as the black.

I thought that the RED parts were harder and more performance oriented?

This is a common misconception. The red parts have the same durometer (hardness) as the Black parts and differ only in their actual appearance (color).

[solidaxel]

Thanks for the help.

[bluex]

I should have specified that I was refering to the energy suspension bushings, sorry.

I got my bushings off Amazon, they had the best shipped price I could find at the time.


Q: What is the difference between the red and black bushings?
Quote From Energy Suspension's Official Website:

"Both are our Energy's HYPER-FLEX™ performance polyurethane formulations. Energy has impregnated selected black polyurethane components with graphite — to add a lubrication property. Additionally, both Energy Suspension® red and black polyurethane components are engineered differently than OEM rubber components — to be free a floating and non-binding design. This allows for the additional durometer (firmness) of the components, which adds to the performance improvement of the vehicle overall.

"Through its 25 years of design and formulation of polyurethane, Energy's polyurethane components are the best on the market today."

[SigFTW]

Originally Posted by bluex

I should have specified that I was refering to the energy suspension bushings, sorry.

I got my bushings off Amazon, they had the best shipped price I could find at the time.


Q: What is the difference between the red and black bushings?
Quote From Energy Suspension's Official Website:

"Both are our Energy's HYPER-FLEX™ performance polyurethane formulations. Energy has impregnated selected black polyurethane components with graphite — to add a lubrication property. Additionally, both Energy Suspension® red and black polyurethane components are engineered differently than OEM rubber components — to be free a floating and non-binding design. This allows for the additional durometer (firmness) of the components, which adds to the performance improvement of the vehicle overall.

"Through its 25 years of design and formulation of polyurethane, Energy's polyurethane components are the best on the market today."

That's good to know, thanks for the info.

[solidaxel]

With the Prothane and the Energy Susp. do you have to remove the outer shells on the existing rubber bushings?

[SigFTW]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

With the Prothane and the Energy Susp. do you have to remove the outer shells on the existing rubber bushings?

It the metal sleeve is in good shape I don't see why you would have to.

As for my truck I reused the existing sleeves because it would have been a pain to remove and install the new ones.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

If you want what I did with mine was I drilled through the outer shell down to the bottom of the bushing and tapped and inserted zerk fittings on all my control arm bushings. I used a lot of the supplied lube but I like to think having the zerks helps too
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[bluex]

Originally Posted by solidaxel

With the Prothane and the Energy Susp. do you have to remove the outer shells on the existing rubber bushings?

I replaced mine, it wasn't hard to do. The uppers knocked right out with some penetrating oil and a air hammer. The tricky part is putting those back in, the first one is easy but then the cross shaft has to go in because it won't fit through the shell. The lowers I drilled the rubber an eventually could pull chunks out with some pliers. Then I took a hacksaw an cut a slot in the shell. A few wacks with a hammer an a punch on one side of the cut collapsed it enough to fall right out. A piece of wood an a hammer knocked the outer shells back in after they spent a few days in the freezer an I put the arms in the sun for about an hour too. Gotta be quick an only take one shell at a time out of the freezer. I used the press at work for the uppers but I think the same method would work fine on them as well. If you use a press be sure to support the areas between the bushings with something so you don't bend the arms....

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by bluex

I replaced mine, it wasn't hard to do. The uppers knocked right out with some penetrating oil and a air hammer. The tricky part is putting those back in, the first one is easy but then the cross shaft has to go in because it won't fit through the shell. The lowers I drilled the rubber an eventually could pull chunks out with some pliers. Then I took a hacksaw an cut a slot in the shell. A few wacks with a hammer an a punch on one side of the cut collapsed it enough to fall right out. A piece of wood an a hammer knocked the outer shells back in after they spent a few days in the freezer an I put the arms in the sun for about an hour too. Gotta be quick an only take one shell at a time out of the freezer. I used the press at work for the uppers but I think the same method would work fine on them as well. If you use a press be sure to support the areas between the bushings with something so you don't bend the arms....

Thanks Good Tips !!