Aftermarket Control Arms wont bolt up!! **pics
 

Hey guys, I bought a pair of aftermarket control amrs with bushings and ball joints. I am having a problem with installing them, because the large bushing on the new control arm is not poistioned the same way it is on the old one. Therefore the U-bracket does mate to bushing properly. There is a huge gap between the backet and the bushing. Here are the pics. I know a lot of u have bought these, so tell me if you had this problem, and how you fixed it.

Here are the pics. They are really big to show the bushing up close..

https://img450.imageshack.us/img450/...8060001ms9.jpg

https://img226.imageshack.us/img226/...8060002ki4.jpg

The bottom two pics show how the U-bracket attatches to the bushing...

https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9518/p8060006su9.jpg

https://img472.imageshack.us/img472/...8060008nm0.jpg

haha thats pretty funny...your problem looks quite simple. The bushing is sideways. Twist it around to where its supposed to be and you will be good to go.

Michael thats EXACTLY my problem, the smooth side of the new bushing is facing to the side rather than down..But no luck twisting :( . its completely stuck to the arm (like its suppose to be)

Grab the back bushing with a pair of channel lock pliers,grap it hard and Twist it...

Eating wheaties may be necessary..:lol:

Use a little dishwashing liquid on the end of the bushing for lubrication...

how many megapixels is that?

I didnt read...just looked at the pics.

You can twist it but it will take a lot. Put the arm in a vise and use a pipe wrench if you have to. Those things are tough put you can move them.

Or you could put the mounting plate on the bushing as it would fit and then use two screw drivers in the holes and use the plate to help rotate it. Also try leaving it in the sun for a few hours, that should heat up the bushing enough to get it little loose.

squirt some dishsoap and water on it, then use a 2-jaw puller on the bushing and pull it off. turn it the right direction and mash it back on there.

3 min fix.

Thnx for the idea, im gonna try it today when i get home...so they always come messed up like this??

how about just install the new arms and with the balljoint touching the ground vertically (it would be nice to have a lift for things like this, or just jack the car as high as u can.) but don't bolt anything down except for the U bracket and then grab ur control arm and just turn it towards u so that the bushin is in the correct place. thats what i did to mine. no need to use pliers or lubricants.

Did you buy those arms from InternetAutoMart?

i bought the arms from him so yes i did

yes i did.

Feel any difference with the fresh bushings? :)

I just did control arms, ball joints, and bushings last weekend and let me tell you it's like a brand new car. Night and Day. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! If you have original control arms and bushings, as soon as you replace you will realise what you didn't even know you were missing. Turning and lane changes are tighter, steering is more responsive, and I feel like I'm finally getting the true benefit of all my suspension parts. DO this repair even if you don't need it!

i haven't felt what its suppose to feel yet due to the fact that i have placed more orders on more suspension parts. my car is still up on cinder blocks and i still have to torque the control arms. i also have to c if i can replace my rack and pinion bushin's while im under the car. hopefully if it doesn't rain this weekend i will change out my rear parallel link bushings.

Anyone know where you can get some replacement Poly bushings for these exact arms?


Thanks.

no Direct replacements are available, only ones that require modification to fit.

What's up Brian, either way, I'll be buying them from you shortly, just have to wait, cause I just got a $700 no insurance ticket! :(

actually I forgot there are some poly big bushingas available, but the 4th gen ones are a away better deal.

How hard is it to fit the 4th Gen Bushings? Also, how much?

Real easy to adapt. 4 cuts and they're a direct bolt on.
http://www.internetautomart.com/cata...roducts_id=769

Is the the full set, or do I need to buy one for each arm?

it's a full set. $30 buys everything you should need for the front.
only problem is that energy sometimes forgets to put essential parts in the kit, like washers or steel sleeves.

Sweet. What mods would I have to make to the bushings?

read this thread and Matt shows how it needs to be cut. There are other threads with the info but I had this one saved.

That drawing is not to scale or anything but just a general idea of how you need to cut it. basically you will put your bushing up to the factory one and see how you need to adjust it.

I saved the cut diagram just in case anyone needed it :wall:

Where can I buy just the 4th Gen (Front Only) ES bushings? I already have Ingalls Poly arms in the rear. Also, the 4th Gen (front) bushings should just slide in with no cutting right?

did you read matt's, michael's or my replies?

I have them for sale, matt probably does too.
the 4th gen needs to have the big (rear) bushing cut to fit.
michael linked to it in his post.