How to disassemble "new" Energy Suspension LCA bushings, in order to lube them
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
How to disassemble "new" Energy Suspension LCA bushings, in order to lube them
So we all know that Energy Suspension wants us to take apart our new bushings in order to lube them up with the included packets of grease, and then reassemble the bushings. Didn't go as bad as I thought. Here's the scoop. Yes I took pictures of each step... they'll be up eventually 
And since Murphy and his Law seem to enjoy playing with TomP, here's what I discovered:
Hope that helps someone! I can confirm that the ES bushings for the front lower control arms do have -some- grease on the bushing, but not very much at all. After disassembling them (and handling them), they don't seem to have any grease left on 'em.
The little instruction sheet says that they recommend pushing the new, empty shells into the lower control arms FIRST. Then they say to push in the poly bushing and finally the center sleeve. I'll give that a shot; if it goes easily, I'll use it for the rest. If it's hell, I'll just reassemble the bushings completely and try pushing them in.
Originally posted by TomP
So the procedure goes like this... open vise jaw to a gap of about 3/4 inch, stand bushing on top of vise, bolt hole facing down. Insert a round center punch into the top of the inner sleeve, and smack repeatedly with a hammer until the sleeve falls out the bottom. Then the sleeve gets stuck to the punch, a few smacks with the hammer and they separate.
Smaller bushing- open vise to a gap wide enough to catch the "flattened" end of the bushing's outer shell. Make sure you get the vise jaw gap exact so the jaws touch the metal of the outer sleeve, and aren't pressing against any polyurethane. Get a short length of pipe the size of the polyurethane bushing. Smack the hell outta the pipe until the bushing pokes halfway out the shell, pointing downward. Take the bushing/shell out of the vise and give a pull on the bushing, it pulls out.
Larger bushing- similar to above, but (a) used a hammer directly on the polyurethane and (b) it popped out much easier. I recommend starting on the larger bushing to get a "feel" for what you've gotta do.
So the procedure goes like this... open vise jaw to a gap of about 3/4 inch, stand bushing on top of vise, bolt hole facing down. Insert a round center punch into the top of the inner sleeve, and smack repeatedly with a hammer until the sleeve falls out the bottom. Then the sleeve gets stuck to the punch, a few smacks with the hammer and they separate.
Smaller bushing- open vise to a gap wide enough to catch the "flattened" end of the bushing's outer shell. Make sure you get the vise jaw gap exact so the jaws touch the metal of the outer sleeve, and aren't pressing against any polyurethane. Get a short length of pipe the size of the polyurethane bushing. Smack the hell outta the pipe until the bushing pokes halfway out the shell, pointing downward. Take the bushing/shell out of the vise and give a pull on the bushing, it pulls out.
Larger bushing- similar to above, but (a) used a hammer directly on the polyurethane and (b) it popped out much easier. I recommend starting on the larger bushing to get a "feel" for what you've gotta do.
But, get this crap- I got a wrong part for the control arm bushings!!! 
Energy suspension bagged a wrong one for me! In the bag there were four bushings, two sizes- a longer thinner size (for the front leg), and a shorter fatter size (for the rear leg). They don't come lubed up with the grease; they want you to take them apart, lube them up, and put them back together. Some guys have installed them as-is but I don't want squeaks!!
Did both small bushings. Did one large bushing. Went to do the other one, and the punch fell thru the sleeve! Huh? Checked the large bushing I'd already taken apart- the outer dimensions of the sleeves were the same BUT the inner dimension was different!! This bushing's sleeve's inside diameter is too big!! The bolt doesn't fit snugly!! Can we say "screwed up alignment/handling due to bushing rattling around on bolt"?? Even worse; on the poly bushing itself is a part number. The two smaller bushings (front leg) had the same number. The larger bushings had different numbers.
Panic; what do I do; I need a bushing now... can't get it from Summit in time, etc etc. As I got my coffee I realized hey, wait, lets go look at the REAR lower control arm bushing set! Guess what; sleeves are the SAME. So here's the plan: Remove one sleeve from REAR lca set. Remove the oversized sleeve from the wrong part# bushing. Install the good sleeve into the "wrong" bushing. Install the wrong sleeve into the good REAR lca bushing. Send the rear lca set back to Summit.
Energy suspension bagged a wrong one for me! In the bag there were four bushings, two sizes- a longer thinner size (for the front leg), and a shorter fatter size (for the rear leg). They don't come lubed up with the grease; they want you to take them apart, lube them up, and put them back together. Some guys have installed them as-is but I don't want squeaks!!Did both small bushings. Did one large bushing. Went to do the other one, and the punch fell thru the sleeve! Huh? Checked the large bushing I'd already taken apart- the outer dimensions of the sleeves were the same BUT the inner dimension was different!! This bushing's sleeve's inside diameter is too big!! The bolt doesn't fit snugly!! Can we say "screwed up alignment/handling due to bushing rattling around on bolt"??
Even worse; on the poly bushing itself is a part number. The two smaller bushings (front leg) had the same number. The larger bushings had different numbers.Panic; what do I do; I need a bushing now... can't get it from Summit in time, etc etc. As I got my coffee I realized hey, wait, lets go look at the REAR lower control arm bushing set! Guess what; sleeves are the SAME. So here's the plan: Remove one sleeve from REAR lca set. Remove the oversized sleeve from the wrong part# bushing. Install the good sleeve into the "wrong" bushing. Install the wrong sleeve into the good REAR lca bushing. Send the rear lca set back to Summit.
The little instruction sheet says that they recommend pushing the new, empty shells into the lower control arms FIRST. Then they say to push in the poly bushing and finally the center sleeve. I'll give that a shot; if it goes easily, I'll use it for the rest. If it's hell, I'll just reassemble the bushings completely and try pushing them in.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 678
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester,England,UK
Car: '92 RS Camaro
Engine: 406ci D1SC SBC
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: 9" W/Truetrac
I don't see why you couldn't put your own grease nipples onto the shells and grease them whenever you like.I'll probably go this route with mine unless somebody tells me its not a good idea.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
It's definately a good idea; if you do it, let us know!! Take pictures! And hopefully this message will help you take apart your new bushings so you can cut grooves in 'em!
And hopefully this message will help you take apart your new bushings so you can cut grooves in 'em! 
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 2
From: winthrop harbor, il & plymouth, il
Car: 1986 camaro
Engine: 383 sbc
Transmission: th-400
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 10 bolt/Detroit TrueTrac 4.
hey tom what i did was i took them apart into three pieces that are there and lube everything up and then put it back together. then i pressed them into the control arm. i took some serran wrap stuff to cover the bushing so the press didnt f-them up or get them dirty since i want my car to be a little showy. hope that helps.
Thread Starter
Supreme Member
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 6
From: Central NJ, USA
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Spartyon, thanks for the info! By the time I'm reading this though, I've already installed the bushings. When I have the time I'll post a big exact how-to description, but basically, I installed the shell by itself, then the bushing. Oh and that "put the bushings in the freezer!" idea is total crap- at least for me. It didn't help me at all (tried both ways, same effort required).
When I have the time I'll post a big exact how-to description, but basically, I installed the shell by itself, then the bushing. Oh and that "put the bushings in the freezer!" idea is total crap- at least for me. It didn't help me at all (tried both ways, same effort required). 
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
3
Dec 10, 2019 07:07 PM
Hotrodboba400
Firebirds for Sale
0
Sep 2, 2015 07:28 PM
1Aauto
Sponsored Vendors
0
Sep 2, 2015 01:35 PM
bolt, bushing, bushings, disassemble, energy, fit, how, lube, lubing, poly, polyurethane, shell, sleeve, suspension, to
