Suspension Question, Eurothane Bushings Options

[Chris Julian]

Calling all experienced suspension experts.

Just finished installing front Eurothane bushings into the front A arms on my car and I’ve got two questions:

1, How much force should it take to actuate the arm up and down. It takes about 20 lbs to get the arm to budge. Which leads to question #2. I searched the classics and only found info on the back bushings.

2, The front bushing retainers (the ones that actually mount to the body with two bolts) have two positions that they can be bolted in. The retainer is made up of two stamped pieces that are welded together. On one side of the mounting flanges there are two small plates spot welded to the flange, the other side has none. What is the correct side to mount to the body?

Thanks, Chris

[jim912928]

I just put these on my car (twice!). When I took mine off the first time the portions with the extra plating were against the body of the car..so that is how I put them back on. Second, the first install I had the same problem...took major muscle to just get the control arms to move. An my bushings all slid in with just hand pressure. It was so bad that i bounced when driving and when I'd jack up the car they would stick until gravity finally kicked in and they would drop until the friction overtook gravity.

So, I removed them per advice on this board, cut deep grooves on the INSIDE of each bushing. Packed them with grease. Polished the control arms. Put it all back together. I did NOT put on the grease zerk (hopefully I won't have these on the car for more then a year before I put on roller bearings).

Tremendous difference. I could raise/lower the control arems with one hand. The trick is in the cutting of the grooves and applying alot of grease (grooves will hold more grease in longer).

Good luck!

Jim

p.s. I cut the grooves at angles, not straight across the bushing. And I didn't cut the groove completely through to the sides...wanted the grease to stay put and not easily ooze out.