Machine shop put these notches in my front LCA on the passenger side during bushing replacement. Both the front and rear bushings have notches. Drives side does not have this.

Are these going to be safe or will they crack along the notch? I think they'll be ok since the the metal collar on the bushing itself should distribute the load in the circular manner as it should, but I am not an engineer.

I did not ask the shop about it yet as I didn't notice until after I got home.

https://imgur.com/a/Nejup

 

If I paid for the labor, and they damaged my parts, I'd be pissed.

If I did that damage changing bushings myself, I'd fire up the welder just for peace of mind.

 

Should Be Ok,But That Was A Lousy Uninstall By The Shop,Was No Need To Do That.

 

Good Job Machine shop! I would go back....but no proof now. Get the welder out.

 

That's what sometimes happens when someone uses a pneumatic hammer (with a chisel attachment) to remove the bushings.

 

You'll be OK. Just don't go back there.

I would have used Delrin bushings rather than rubber, but to each his own.

 

looks like plasma cutter cuts....

 

Much like the rest, I'd be pissed that it happened and probably say something to the retarded monkey that did it, but when it comes down to it it won't likely hurt the control arm. If it was mine I'd probably put a small weld there.

Who makes Delrin bushings for these things? Delrin tends to be pretty hard, does it have enough give for the application?

 

Global West is where I got mine from a long time ago, Not sure If they still have them. EDIT: Yup, they still list em. http://www.globalwest.net/firebird-s...1991-1992.html

 

For the DIY inclined

 

The global west bushings are for the front, not rear

 

Live and learn. For the cost of the new bushings and machine shop you wouldn't have been far behind for a set from Founders.

 

As mentioned, Global West has them. Still good folks.
The front control arms only rotate, so Delrin are perfect for the application.

 

Send an email to the owner of the shop letting him know you're not impressed with the quality of his work.

 

[QUOTE=Tibo; Live and learn. For the cost of the new bushings and machine shop you wouldn't have been far behind for a set from Founders.[/QUOTE]

Is there an option for factory-style front LCAs? I did not see them.

I wanted to keep the factory stamped pieces as after a bit of research, they seemed to be the most durable option with the least NVH.

I normally do buy the new control arms with bushings and joints already installed because you are absolutely right, that is the way to go. I couldn't find a loaded stock style LCA for this application at any of my usual sources..

 

Definitely don't want the Del-A-Lum bushings on the rear control arms.

The appeal of them is how smooth they are in rotation, with almost zero deflection.

But since the rear LCA's need to pivot as well as rotate up/down, the Del-A-Lum stuff would cause horrible binding.

 

I see that the first 2 quotes did the same as I did... if you click on the link and look at the pic it looks like it's a rear control arm, I didn't even think to scroll down and look at the second pic that shows it's a front one.

TEDSgrad, I knew about the del-a-lum bushings... I thought someone finally took the time and figured out what parts you need to just put these together from commodity supplies- delrin/nylon bushings are standard industrial stuff that are available for a few $ each, you'd just have to figure out how to fit them to the arms.

Honestly, since they do only rotate I don't know that I see a big advantage over some hard poly bushings, and by the time you get the GW bushings, ball joints and install them you can just about have a set of aftermarket control arms that are lighter and prettier

I bet that setup costs more than a set of new control arms with bushings, but it should give some idea of how to make a home built bushing press...

 

I have removed poly from all my cars long ago, hated the bind and squeak. Not to mention they get hard, crack, shrink and fall out of their metal sleeves. I had put them in in the early 90s and had them back out a couple yrs after that.

 

I had poly Energy Suspension ones in my '83 that I installed around '92, no binding or squeaking there if installed with the grease. I took those out in the late 2000's (when I parted the car) and they were still in perfect shape. All the poly bushings I've installed since then I drilled for grease fittings. I won't use them anyplace where they'll be twisted against their axis, but otherwise they work fine if good quality.

 

I would have just bought some UMI Panhard/LCA package. I never want to deal with removing bushings. Only like 170 shipped. I would be pissed with that work.

 

I used their grease and tried other types as well. Got tired of it and just Kicked poly out.