Custom poly-urethane suspension bushing

[Boomdeeze]

When I was dropping my rear sub frame to install my new rear end, I broke the grade 10 bolt that holds the control arm to the U shaped bracket. I was forced to cut it the bolt on the sides to drop it and then tried to drill out the bolt that was seized inside the bushing which was a failure. So I cut the old out with a saw-zal and did some improvising to fix it with minimal amount of money.

I had an old poly-urethane tranny mount and had a brilliant idea, tell me what you think!!!

 

[jrdrew5]

Uhm,Uhm,Uhm is about all i can say. I hope it works? nice in a pinch .

 

[Boomdeeze]

I actually had to pound it into the bushing into the control arm. I also cut the inner sleeve to the exact width of the stock one so it is tight and wont move around. How is this that different than having the normal bushing?

 

[jrdrew5]

I actually don't know have never changed them. I was just going off the looks. What did u take the material off with ?

 

[Boomdeeze]

I used a drill to give me the outline of the diameter that I needed, put relief cuts in with a knife, and then slowly cut from hole to hole with the knife. After I cut it down to almost the right size, I cleaned it up a little by smoothening it out (Did a little more smoothening after the picture was taken). When its installed, you cant even tell that it was cut from a larger bushing to fit.

I made sure I left enough on there that I had to pound it in with a rubber mallet so it would not be loose. Sure is snug so I really can't see any negative things about it so far.

 

[SlowSpyder]

If you would have smoothed it out to be a bit rounder i bet you no one could probably tell.

 

[Boomdeeze]

I smoothened them out as much as I could before I installed them. Let me tell you what, it sure is hard to make them a perfect circle but I did my best.

 

[greengoblin]

Ghetto fab but as long as the outer shoulders are big enough the it should work. Also the bushing has to rotate around the center pin so it needs to be lubed.

Kevin

 

[Boomdeeze]

Ghetto fab but as long as the outer shoulders are big enough the it should work. Also the bushing has to rotate around the center pin so it needs to be lubed.

Kevin

The center is that metal sleeve so it should be able to slide around the bolt.

 

[greengoblin]

The center is that metal sleeve so it should be able to slide around the bolt.

No. The bolt squeezes the clevis and clamps all it's load on the sleeve. It can't move or should not. That why the poly kits come with lube. The bushing slides around the sleeve. On the OEM units the rubber does all the flexing . That's why the OEM's end up tearing out and also why you have to install them at 90*.

Kevin

 

[PieEyedPiper]

No. The bolt squeezes the clevis and clamps all it's load on the sleeve. It can't move or should not. That why the poly kits come with lube. The bushing slides around the sleeve. On the OEM units the rubber does all the flexing . That's why the OEM's end up tearing out and also why you have to install them at 90*.

Kevin

So, this pops up again. I guess it wasn't only me who was under the impression that the bolt rotates in the center shaft within the bushing. This seems like a better way as for as bushing longevity and suspension articulation are concerned. Is there a way to make it a reality?

 

[greengoblin]

So, this pops up again. I guess it wasn't only me who was under the impression that the bolt rotates in the center shaft within the bushing. This seems like a better way as for as bushing longevity and suspension articulation are concerned. Is there a way to make it a reality?

Something has to wear and the bushing can be replaces. If the bolt or clevis wear they would have to be replaced and they would more than likely fail before anyone checked them. If you want longevity and suspension articulation you use bearings which are expensive and you get lots of noise vibration and harshness. It all about balance and what you need or want.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

You've got a good point. All 2 of the random ideas I had to have this happen involved some serious metal on metal time. You could lube up your specialty bolts and washers with a hardness of 12 or something but even if you went around and lubed shit up every week you'd still have a nightmare for MTBF. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em.