I'm having trouble installing a set of replacement A-arms which I had poly bushings (Energy suspension) installed. (My old ones rusted out.)

The A-arms fit as if they are too wide, but when I compare the old and new, the metal lines up perfectly.

The lip of the larger rear bushing including the metal and the poly is much thicker than the stock one which appears to be off-setting the A-arm.

Are both bushings supposed to be installed in the same direction? I noticed that the old ones were installed from rear to front, but the new ones are both facing in.

If the front bushing was was set in the same direction as the rear, it would line up the same, but I could allow it to be offset enough to fit. If I did do this, how would this affect alignment later on?

Should the rear lip of the larger (rear) bushing be reduced so that it matches the stock one?

I already evened out the inside surfaces of the K-member with a grinder, but was wondering how smooth the surface should be with the poly material rubbing against it.

Any help is appreciated

 

hammer and lube and it'll go in.

 

I believe the bushings should face the same way as the originals did.One the the holes in the A-arms may be slightly larger than the other(i may be wrong though!).Also the bolts should face rearward.When i had the stock A-arms.I remember the energy install sheet mentioned this.You shouldnt have to hammer them in, but it is a tighter fit.The lube helps though.

 

I don't remember about bushing "position," but I was forced to use lube and a floor jack to get the a-arm in place. By the way, you might check a manual as it seems to me that you're supposed to start one side first.

JamesC

 

Take your hammer and knock the control arm bushing bracket (on the "frame") apart, to "spread" it, so that the bushing will slip up in there. Much easier to put things together when they slip into place.

Tightening the bolt will re-compress it.

 

Thanks for the input. The thing I'm concerned about is the gaps on the inside of the A-arm and bushings total around 1/4". This is a lot of space for the K-member flanges to move and I'm worried about the placement of the a-arm after doing this. I wouldn't have any issue if it was simply spreading them or working them in place a little.

 

The gap may be due to the incorrect placement of the bushings.I believe one side of the bushing is farther out due to the flange.If this is the case that may explain why you have a gap.You should also slide the front leg of the A-arm,then the rear leg.

 

just a side note; any place where the poly rubs metal, should be GOOPED with that nasty clear silicone grease. Gooped like crazy.

Thanks for the heads up BTW, i'm going to be putting my poly bushings in my a-arms and reinstalling them sometime in the near future here..