That is what I interpreted him to say but, it was pre coffee this AM.

My bad - since I had issues with my shock mounts I just *assumed* that it was the shock bushings. Sorry about that.

It's all good! The dimensions didn't look right and it was all to easy. Definitely good info because mine came used with the almighty adjustable ranchos that were a pure pos in the bushing dept. Thanks for clearing it up!

Finished up my control arms today

Nice work . . . I think that might be what I do to my Rear UCAs next time the bushings go. What size were the JJ's you used for the UCAs and how much did it set you back? Would a good 120 welder do the trick if you took your time or would you need the penetration of a 220?

I was hoping for a simple solution. Does anyone know of a replacement bushing for the lower control arms? I too feel like people are talking about different bushing. As I stated before mine only lasted about a week. I don't have a lot of confidence in the set I am waiting for from RE.

The lower arms use 2.5" JJ's and the tube adapter is 1.25"
The uppers are 2" JJ's with a 1" tube adapter

as for price it will depend on your area but up here its $57 per JJ and about $15 per tube adapter and $5 a jam nut (those are all CAD)

i used a 220 welder, spot welded in 2 spots on the shaft then did the collar in sections so the adapter did not distort then ran the tap through to make sure the threads were clean befor i put the JJ in

[quote="USMC_Rubi"]I was hoping for a simple solution. Does anyone know of a replacement bushing for the lower control arms?






x2

not for the hour glass shaped bushings. Ill be soon going to JJ's as well.

for the original shaped bushings i am pretty sure and stock replacement bushing will work

They made that design decision to facilitate field replacement. In competition, even the clevite bushings they used to use would fail, requiring a press for replacement. The hourglass bushings can be replaced with a socket and a hammer in 5 minutes. The design relies heavily on the materials. In my opinion, that was a poor design decision, due to the variability in manufacturing, and the price pressure that gets them to rely on dishonest Chinese suppliers. I had to replace my rears about a year into their life... and would have done so 3 months earlier if I could have figured out what was going on instead of babying it for all that time. They cut me a deal - free shipping or something, I don't remember. They're holding up despite heavy use. The fronts have never gotten loose enough to replace.

The design is very vulnerable to material variation, and RE wasn't ready (or willing?) to do the destructive testing on every new batch.
I can easily see the solution - sacrifice a little rubber to allow a 2-piece center sleeve that threads together to provide preload. Pop in the bushing (easier since it's thinner), set in the sleeve, and tighten it until it bottoms, providing the appropriate preload.

If somebody hammers the arms hard after the bushing's gone and the arm "eggs" out, nothing can save it. You can't fix stupid.

I think that I am just screwed on having mine changed out to a JJ or something similar. I had a fellow local club member/machine shop owner willing to convert mine but, I sense a lack of interest now. Today when I installed the Savvy fuel tank skid I noticed the bushing material failing and exiting the CAs. I hate to park my trusty steed and drive the S-10 but, I don't see an alternative here with my current budget.

This would be a good modification if, a shop could do it nationally, with a short turn around time.

Nice work. I only wish I had the skill to do that kind of thing.

Another option for those of you that have adjustable lowers is RE3767. It is a direct bolt on replacement of the short bushing end of your arms. It has the superflex joint already installed and is a 10 minute job.

If these "new style" bushings I installed Friday don't work out, I'll be going with these as an alternative. Rubicon Express does not recommend them for street driven jeeps due to noise and vibration transfer through the frame but I never had a problem with my Currie arms with double johnny joints.

Here's a link in case any of you are interested.

http://www.rubiconexpress.com/BuilderPa ... art=RE3767

Just installed my replacement bushings for RE. The old front lower control arm bushings were completely worn thur. I will keep everyone updated on the replacement bushings. The first set lasted 2 weeks. Maybe I can get a month out of this set.

I just received my new (free) replacement bushings from RE. I still had an unused set of two large ones from the last time under my workbench and I was surprised to see that the material on the new set is definitely different from the ones I got a couple of years ago.
The news ones are much harder and do not deform easily like the old ones. I could squeeze the old ones in my hand and they would deform from the pressure. The new ones I got today are rock hard compared to those.

Dave S.

Good Luck! I only have the RE arms for my rear UCAs and have only had to replace one bushing in a year or so . . . RE was pretty cool and hooked me up with a new pair of bushings for free so I still have an extra one in case one goes out again. I planned to change them out with Currie's to match the rest of my arms if the RE ones started to give me the same type of problems I was having with the Full Traction ones, but so far so good.

David at Northridge and a local club member/machine shop owner put their heads together and talked me right out of the JJ conversion. I'll replace the rubber bushings on the existing six arms and unload them elsewhere. I still think RE as a notch above most in many areas but, this foolishness has ended for me. RE's quality items has been overshadowed with this "bad batch" that has lasted over 3 years. RE should just eat this mistake and move on.

I just know that I will not look at purchasing any RE parts until I see good reviews about the hourglass bushing fix. Just my and probably not worth that!

still waiting for the new and improved bushings.

I talked to them yesterday and I am waiting on mine as well. They are getting them in smaller batches than they expected, BUT they are getting them in every week. Also aparently there is a list of people just like us so they are working their way down the list as they get them. Smaller batches is OK with me, perhaps that means they just aren't popping them out like donuts with little attention to detain and quality.

ON A SIDE NOTE....

this got me to thinking, and I was looking around Daystar's site. Anyone know about using these as a substitute for the CAs?
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdetail.php?productID=811
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdetail.php?productID=810
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdetail.php?productID=790
http://www.daystarweb.com/productdetail.php?productID=789

Just kind of wondering....

I e-mail Daystar and was told that they don't make a bushing for RE control arms.

I emailed them today as well. IDK these look like they could work, but then again IDK.

Energy Suspension would be a place that I would check if, I was keeping mine. Getting a single new RE bushing and taking measurements would aid in the search. Daystar and Energy wouldn't have a clue what you are looking for. Both companies make allot of stuff for many applications. Something might already be made with similar dimensions.

still waiting

same here 1 month now wtf ......

Got mine 3 weeks ago. Sent my brand new lower arms back and asked them to install the new bushings. Turn around time was like 1 week. Have you called them lately? Ask for Mike.