Control Arm Bushings
- Adam
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Control Arm Bushings
How often are you guys replacing your UCA bushings? I have the superlift/rough country arms on the pathy, and I thought they would last longer than the poop ones that 4x4parts had. Apparently not. I grease them every oil change. They have been on for probably 1.5 years. They aren't expensive or hard to change so it's not a huge deal, but is this normal service life? FWIW only the driver's side is loose but I'll replace em all.
This probably only applies to pathy's and 1st gen xterras.
In other news I am extremely stoked about my idler arm lasting a whole wheeling season. That grassroots CL is a lifesaver.
This probably only applies to pathy's and 1st gen xterras.
In other news I am extremely stoked about my idler arm lasting a whole wheeling season. That grassroots CL is a lifesaver.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
- Miner
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Bushing at the frame or the uni-ball / ball-join at the spindle?
Cummins - Zone, BD, AFE, Yokohama, Bestop, Access, VisonX, H&S
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- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Frame, there are 2 poly bushings on each side. Ball joints I haven't had an issue with.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
- Simon
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
I hate poly bushings for this reason. I have never had any luck with longevity of poly bushings. Rubber, while not performing as well (when new) seems to last longer.
"CAUTION: Hot shovel in close proximity to my person"-Bow_Tied
- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Thank you for confirming what I was thinking already. I was told by superlift that the rubber (stock type) will not fit in their control arms. Do you remember if you were able to use rubber in yours way back when?
It isn't a race car so I'm sure the difference won't be noticeable, lol.
It isn't a race car so I'm sure the difference won't be noticeable, lol.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
My PRG UCAs used Heim Joints at the frame. No discernible wear in over 100,000 km. There is a downside to them though, there is zero isolation from the frame so you feel everything through them.
Cummins - Zone, BD, AFE, Yokohama, Bestop, Access, VisonX, H&S
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Dammit, I've said too much...I'll have to ban you now
- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
That would be awesome to have but would require a lot of fab work to adapt to mine. I already feel most things because the rest of the bushings on my truck are polyurethane.
Last time I was able to get away with turning the spindle so it rode on the non-worn part of the bushing, and it bought me time, but not this time
Last time I was able to get away with turning the spindle so it rode on the non-worn part of the bushing, and it bought me time, but not this time
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
- Simon
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
I never tried. I was lucky with the X that the Rancho lift had lifetime warranty. I just kept ordering UCA bushings and they kept sending them.Adam wrote:Thank you for confirming what I was thinking already. I was told by superlift that the rubber (stock type) will not fit in their control arms. Do you remember if you were able to use rubber in yours way back when?
It isn't a race car so I'm sure the difference won't be noticeable, lol.
I wonder if you could verify the fitment of the stock bushings in the Superlift A-arms. Maybe Superlift is full of poop. Stock replacement bushings aren't terribly expensive. Might be worth a shot.
"CAUTION: Hot shovel in close proximity to my person"-Bow_Tied
- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Called and ordered a set of stockers today. They are cheap, my cost was 15 dollars a side! Bought one set for now.
I'll post up the results this week.
I'll post up the results this week.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Those must be some super high quality heim joints, the ones in my steering are generally good for a season or two, then they get sloppy. Same with the small ones on my sway bars. Bet on a lot of dollars for new ones when they do go... Well worth it if they last that long though.Miner wrote:My PRG UCAs used Heim Joints at the frame. No discernible wear in over 100,000 km. There is a downside to them though, there is zero isolation from the frame so you feel everything through them.
I have no idea what size the bushings in question are but one thing that may be an option. Curie makes a press in Johny joint to replace the upper control arm bushing on the axle side of a jeep. Again I don't know your dimensions but it's worth looking at.
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Not sure on the supplier. I know the early spindle bearings had premature failures so they were upgraded.
Cummins - Zone, BD, AFE, Yokohama, Bestop, Access, VisonX, H&S
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- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
That would be something to look into. They make rear trailing arms with johnny joints for mine. I'm sure there is a size that would fit.Drizit wrote:Those must be some super high quality heim joints, the ones in my steering are generally good for a season or two, then they get sloppy. Same with the small ones on my sway bars. Bet on a lot of dollars for new ones when they do go... Well worth it if they last that long though.Miner wrote:My PRG UCAs used Heim Joints at the frame. No discernible wear in over 100,000 km. There is a downside to them though, there is zero isolation from the frame so you feel everything through them.
I have no idea what size the bushings in question are but one thing that may be an option. Curie makes a press in Johny joint to replace the upper control arm bushing on the axle side of a jeep. Again I don't know your dimensions but it's worth looking at.
As for steering, I've never really had an issue with the tie rods on mine. After I upgraded the drag link and idler arm, I just changed the original 1994 tie rods last summer.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
Got the stock bushings yesterday. I'll try today or tomorrow and see if they fit :S
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
I got prg uppers as well. The heims are stll good but i go thur a set of uniballs every year. I say it is becuse the sit horizontal on top of spindle. Rode grim just gets worked in as suspenshion cycles. The hiems are in not as grimy of a spot and sit vertical alowing grime to come off and not get worked into the joint.
- BigRed44
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
weird i have the same uppers from PRG and have had no issues with the uniballs on top and have over 50k on them whith 4 good seasons of wheeling.
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- Adam
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Re: Control Arm Bushings
I just ended up getting the superlift bushings again...
The only thing I ever had an issue, where no one else did, was those bandit 4x4 idler arm bushings. They didn't last worth poop for me, and I grease all of the zerks at each oil change. The stock plastic ones last longer. I'm probably doing something wrong but the plastic ones are cheaper and have been on the truck for 2 years so far no issues.
The only thing I ever had an issue, where no one else did, was those bandit 4x4 idler arm bushings. They didn't last worth poop for me, and I grease all of the zerks at each oil change. The stock plastic ones last longer. I'm probably doing something wrong but the plastic ones are cheaper and have been on the truck for 2 years so far no issues.
There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life. -Frank Zappa