Archived contol arm bushing replacement problems

[Posm]

I was in the middle of replacing my control arm bushings with Energy Suspension bushings and I have run into problems. Everthing was going smooth. I marked the arms and took off three of them. I was not sure if the front axle would stay located if I removed all four and then I went to a freinds shop and pressed out the old bushings one at a time and reinstalled the new ones one at a time. The directions were awfull and I tried to put them back like they came out. When I went to reinstall them the bolt holes were all one size too small. I found a machine shop that was open on a holiday Sunday and got him to ream the holes out on his lathe. Twenty dollars poorer and starting to get frustrated I went back at the reinstall. I got one side on and started on the other side when I noticed they were not symetrical. On the left (drivers) side the larger flanges on the energy suspension bushings are on the inside and on the right side they are facing the outside of the truck. I would be greatly relieved if anyone could tell me whitch way yours are facing if you have the replacement bushings or any first hand experience you may have. Also proper torqu specs would be helpfull. I have specs from a 96 and would guess them correct, but would like confirmation. Please E mail me for any clarification at -- email address removed --



Bryan Setzer

334 567 9856

 

[Extreme1]

Sorry I can't help, went through a similar situation on my '78 T/A. I actually got a hold of an engineer at ES and he didn't know anything.



By the lack of responses, I'd say you're breaking ground here. Keep us posted on what you end up doing. The torque specs should be the same.



FWIW-I bugged them until they fixed the problem but it took months.

 

[csutton7]

Posm---wish I could help--I'll be tearing into mine shortly, but am replacing the arms with Heims joints vs the bushings--maybe you can help me----what size are those bolts that are used for the axle mounts and what year is your truck--come to think of it I have my old arms in the garage, but I wouldn't know which one went where-unless they got marked and I don't think they did---I will take a look at them later tonight and see if I can help you out---chris

 

[Posm]

Chris

Don't worry about it. It was a year ago when I installed them. I ended up calling Energy Suspensions and they were of almost no help at all.



Bryan

 

[csutton7]

geesh---I never even looked at the date--how dumb is that--can't even remember how I found the thread----golly better start drinkin now---chris