SquidBeak

I have finally finished installing the ES bushings in my control arms.

For the most part everything looks OK, but the front bushing doesn't quite seem right.

The actual bushings are heavily greased and pressed in as far as they can go. I have pressed in the metal sleeve. But there is a large gap between the end of the sleeve and the end of the bushing.

See photo:




the gap is 3mm



Here's a drawing to illustrate what I am describing:





It may not look like much in the picture, but it is quite a large gap. It is the same depth as the actual bushing flange itself.

According to Energy Suspension, the preload should only be about 0.01" (.25mm). What I am seeing here is about 10X that.


I am concerned that when I install the washers and put the arm on the pivot shaft and torque it down, it will overly compress the flanges of the bushings and likely damage or cut them.

Can anyone who has installed these tell me if theirs looked like this?

Thanks

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Your install looks correct, but pls clarify - is it short 3mm total (in your picture is the other side flush)? Or is it 3mm per side with both sides being non-flush?

You're correct that in current state, the washers will destroy that lip.

The sleeve should be flush with the edge of the bushing. Looks like the metal sleeve was cut short. Ask ES to send you a new pair at the right length. Or make your own.

HerBlue2kSE

Mine will not that short when I installed them last month. Did you measure the sleeve?

SquidBeak

Thanks for the replies and thanks for validating my concern.

I have talked to ES and the metal sleeves are the correct length.

DJ, the gap is 3mm in total, the other side is almost flush.

These are factory control arms and I have compared them with another set of OEM arms and everything is identical, especially the length of the outer shell, which is 42 mm.

Considering that A. I needed to get the car on the road B. I have the right parts and C. no one else has complained I went ahead and installed them.

Very surprisingly, it did not compress the flanges that much when I torqued the nuts down to FSM specs.

It looks like it ought to be OK, but I'm still a bit baffled by this.

HerBlue2kSE, I wish I could have seen what yours looked like before you put them in.

I've driven 100 miles on the completely rebuilt suspension and it feels like I have a new car. I had completely forgotten how this car felt when it was new.

Thanks again for the input

HerBlue2kSE

I just went through my pics and I did not take any of the bushings after the install. Now you have me curious about them.

SquidBeak

There probably isn't any reason for concern. It seemed like a really big gap to me and since getting the arms prepped was such a major project, I wanted to be sure everything was right before final installation. Once they were actually installed on the pivot shaft, the flanges don't look like they are under any undue stress or that they are bulging excessively. I think the main thing is greasing them well. I got under the car again yesterday just to check everything out and they seem ok.

FWIW, the next longest sleeve that ES makes is 50.5mm which would be slightly too long. So I think we're probably OK.

Prophecy99

iTrader: (1)

nice thread, glad it kinda worked out anyway

slovcan

Did, you centre the sleeve in the bushing before putting it back together?

SquidBeak

Once you install the control arm on the pivot shaft and tighten the nut, the sleeve will automatically center itself between the two outer washers.

SquidBeak

It definitely worked out favorably. If anything, just erring on the side of caution.

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Djfrestyl, since you're the resident suspension guru, do you think you might be able to take a few pics the next time you install some of these bushings?

nestorlugo

iTrader: (11)

Fixed!

SquidBeak

My feelings exactly!!

djfrestyl

iTrader: (89)

Sure, will do.