racecougar
Registered User
An issue has recently come to light that I felt warranted documenting and spreading the word about. It seems that in addition to the original design of the rear upper control arm to subframe bushings there is also a flawed design that's been infiltrating the market over the past few years. Both designs have shown up in the same packaging, under the same part numbers, through multiple brands. The only way to be certain you're receiving the correct part is to open the box(es) prior to payment and verifying visually.
This is the bushing you DON'T want to install:
Those consist of a metal core with a off-center, elliptical, hole inside a metal sleeve which is rubber bonded to an outer shell. Turning the inner core via the bolt allows for camber adjustment, however with the sleeve bonded to the outer shell, the control arm can't move without winding up the bushing. Whoever designed/manufactured the bushing either didn't grasp or simply disregarded the original, correct design; something that seems to happen all to often when it comes to aftermarket parts. Installing these bushings results in a relatively harsh ride and very limited rear suspension travel.
These are the bushings you DO want to install (original design):
These allow camber adjustment and full range of motion without windup, just as they should.
Be wary of poorly designed/manufactured parts out there, folks!
This is the bushing you DON'T want to install:
Those consist of a metal core with a off-center, elliptical, hole inside a metal sleeve which is rubber bonded to an outer shell. Turning the inner core via the bolt allows for camber adjustment, however with the sleeve bonded to the outer shell, the control arm can't move without winding up the bushing. Whoever designed/manufactured the bushing either didn't grasp or simply disregarded the original, correct design; something that seems to happen all to often when it comes to aftermarket parts. Installing these bushings results in a relatively harsh ride and very limited rear suspension travel.
These are the bushings you DO want to install (original design):
These allow camber adjustment and full range of motion without windup, just as they should.
Be wary of poorly designed/manufactured parts out there, folks!