Rubicon Owners Forum
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/

Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=64908		 Page 1 of 10
Author:  lookin4mud [ Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
After installing my second set of rubber RE bushings only about a month ago there are already signs of wear and a rounding out of the hole.

Wondering what people do about this? just keep replacing them???

I am considering just cutting off that end of the arm and replacing with a Johnny Joint, any thoughts on that???

Just looking for a good solution.
Author:  James [ Sun Apr 26, 2009 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
I've replaced all of mine once in the life of my lift, several years so I must have had better luck then most. My next step is to cut the end off, weld in a bung and run a JJ since that would make them adjustable and mine are currently fixed.
Author:  rjh [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
They warranteed my first set, saying Daystar had a bad run of bushings.... but they're already tearing again within 6 months. I guess they're supposed to be "user servicible parts" like oil filters, and regularly replaced.
Author:  DAROCK [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
NO more RE bushings for me EVER :x . their idea of a fix is just buy more. I wheel hard with lots of flex and their bushings fail FAST. your on the right track. I have cut off several sets of RE bushings and tig on some JJ's. Problem fixed , not patched.
Author:  Squint [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 4:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Yup, I replaced my rear RE swaybar bushings 3 times in one month. I was wheeling each weekend, but these were just coming apart. I finally called RE and they said the bushing manufacturer had used the wrong materials and that they were shipping the good ones now. I got a new set and finally, 3 months later they are still ok. The shop you are buying them from probably does not know about the problem.
Author:  lookin4mud [ Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
anyone know the inside dia. of the RE tubes so i can go get some adapters without cutting up a control arm first???
Author:  hazyredeyes [ Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Replaced all four Lower bushing on my RE adjustable arms a day before a wheeling trip 2 weeks ago. We got back two days later and i found that both rear lowers are blown. Ive had it with this crap.

I think ill be getting some JJ's to weld on as well.
Author:  Kate [ Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Installed a set of RE rear links, within a month the rear bushings had blown out.
We replaced them with something off the shelf at a local parts house, been about 6 months and they're still fine.
Author:  fry [ Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:07 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
RE super ride bushing are the sux.

my jeep seems to eat the rear lowers at an alarming rate, sometimes in three weeks depending how much wheeling.
Author:  hazyredeyes [ Tue Apr 28, 2009 6:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Anyone have any info on what size JJ to get, or any writeups of anything similar? Ive searched pirate, but that place is a needle in a hay stack.
Author:  James [ Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
More than Likely the tubing is 1.75" .120 wall
Author:  Kate [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
It's interesting to read this.

The thought keeps coming into my mind, "If this many people have problems with the RE bushings, why doesn't RE do anything about it?"

Maybe we should mail bomb them.
Author:  SweetPee [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Kate wrote:
Installed a set of RE rear links, within a month the rear bushings had blown out.
We replaced them with something off the shelf at a local parts house, been about 6 months and they're still fine.


HEY KATE AND EVERYONE... I assume you are talking about the funky shaped rubber bushings that have the odd shaped sleeve inside? Kate (or anyone) how did you all get just an "off the shelf" bushing to fit very well? the RE bushings are sort of hour glass shaped.

I need to replace mine. They have been on the rig for four years. They showed signs of cracking fairly soon after the install. But I never experienced any issues as a result of that. The rig is a DD, so I guess I am just lucky. But so far so good, cracks and all.

I thought that I read somewhere on here that probably three years ago (guessing) RE changed the bushing compound to combat this problem. If so, IDK what "compound" mine are or if I would nessecarily like what I get as a replacement.
Author:  Squatchy07 [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 7:24 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
I believe Kate is referring to a set of swaybar links she got from RE. They use a standard shock bushing, IIRC, which you can get at most parts stores. The superflex joints used in the control arms are RE only parts, and due to design would be hard to replace with something else with a higher durometer rating... All in all, RE bushings bring truckloads of suck. I replaced my rear arms with custom arms utilizing Johnny Joints. Gained a couple inches worth of flex, and haven't had a bit of trouble out of 'em.

Joey
Author:  super_ted [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
The thought keeps coming into my mind, "If this many people have problems with the RE bushings, why doesn't RE do anything about it?"

Maybe we should mail bomb them.[/quote]






X2 glad im not the only one having probs. :-x
Author:  SweetPee [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Kate wrote:
It's interesting to read this.

The thought keeps coming into my mind, "If this many people have problems with the RE bushings, why doesn't RE do anything about it?"

Maybe we should mail bomb them.



I sent my email, now who else wishes to join me? :D
Author:  Kate [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
Squatchy07 wrote:
I believe Kate is referring to a set of swaybar links she got from RE. They use a standard shock bushing, IIRC, which you can get at most parts stores. The superflex joints used in the control arms are RE only parts, and due to design would be hard to replace with something else with a higher durometer rating... All in all, RE bushings bring truckloads of suck. I replaced my rear arms with custom arms utilizing Johnny Joints. Gained a couple inches worth of flex, and haven't had a bit of trouble out of 'em.

Joey



Are you following me? :avid:

Yes, the Squatch man is right, that's exactly waht I was referring to.
Author:  Kate [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
SweetPee wrote:
Kate wrote:
It's interesting to read this.

The thought keeps coming into my mind, "If this many people have problems with the RE bushings, why doesn't RE do anything about it?"

Maybe we should mail bomb them.



I sent my email, now who else wishes to join me? :D


I'll do it right now!

*edit*
Done!

k.
Author:  hazyredeyes [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
My "new" lower hourglass bushings blew out and now i get a shudder from a dead stop. The bushing are causing the pinion to jump when a load is applied. :?
Author:  Kate [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
hazyredeyes wrote:
My "new" lower hourglass bushings blew out and now i get a shudder from a dead stop. The bushing are causing the pinion to jump when a load is applied. :?


Have you gotten on the phone with them?
Mercy! I'd be all about some kind of cranky if that were me.
(and being an old broad - I do cranky REAL well!)

K.
Author:  Kate [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 2:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
WOW, that was fast!

I just sent my message to them and already got a response.

Here's my note, and the reply.
Now if you'll just excuse me, while I go pick my jaw up off the floor.

K.
-----------------------------------------------------------

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 2:33 PM
To: Eric Ennis
Subject: Internet Question

Hi Folks,
Awhile back I bought a couple of RE rear swaybar links for my 06 Rubi.
Within the course of a month, one off road trip and not too many highway
miles, the bushings broke up and blew out of them. I contacted Dave at
Northridge asking what to do and he was going to take care of it for me.
Unfortunately I was on my way to go wheelin the next weekend and ended
up buying shock bushings from a local parts house to replace them. The
"off the shelf" bushings have held up just fine.

I have noticed on several of the off road boards I participate in that
folks repeatedly complain that the RE bushings are not any good and that
they go bad frequently and do not last for what would be considered a
reasonable amount of time.

My point? You might want to look into quality control on the bushings
for your control arms and links. If this many people are having
problems, there is clearly an issue.

Just my .02 :)

Thanks for your consideration.

Kate
--------------
his reply follows:
-------------

The bushings for the links come from Daystar. Daystar had a huge
production run of polyurethane go bad on them for this particular part.
The defect affected the whole off road industry. Superlift, Skyjacker,
Rubicon Express, Rancho and several other big MFG's were caught up in
the debacle.

Please have Dave call us so we can get you the good bushings you
deserve.

Eric Ennis
Rubicon Express Sales
916-473-4602 Direct Line
866-261-8323 Direct Fax
www.rubiconexpress.com


---------

So there you have it folks! They're trying, I guess you don't know, if you don't ask. :shrug:
Author:  sludge puppy [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 4:00 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
So my question is did you order the old style flat bushings or the new hourglass ones that do not need a press after the first time?
Author:  hazyredeyes [ Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
THANKS KATE!!

Im going to email them myself. will keep the thread updated.
Author:  hazyredeyes [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
And my email to them:

Hello,
I ordered four rubber replacement superflex bushings from David at northridge4x4. After recently replacing the lower rubber bushings in my RE short arm adjustables (05 Rubicon SWB), I drove on the streets for one day, then went on a two day offroading trip.
After i returned home i noticed that both rear bushings were already blown out before i even unloaded it off the trailer. Now, i dont expect a rubber bushing to last forever, but i do expect them to last longer than three days and one wheeling trip under only moderate offroad conditions. Because of them prematurely failing, i now have a shudder from a dead stop while accelerating. This is caused by the bushings being blown out and consequently allowing the rear pinion to jump up under a load and is absolutely annoying, to say the least.
I have read that there was an issue with the manufacturer of the bushings and sub par performance has resulted. I am not for sure if this is what happened in my case, but i feel it may be. I can send pictures of the exact bushings if so needed.
I have read on several Jeep forums that your bushings are constantly failing, no matter what vehicle or configuration they are used in. I really have enjoyed your products, and speak highly of them. however, at this point i would advise anyone against the superflex equipped arms.
What can be done to correct this? I know its not much money, but i feel that i have purchased a quality product from a superior manufacturer, but to some extent i been shorted.

Thank you,
Robert Williams
TORC executive event director
www.torc4x4.org
Author:  SweetPee [ Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Rubicon Express Rubber Bushings
I got a response to my email as well.

FIRST is what I sent followed by their response:
Quote:
Hello,
I am curious about any possible revisions to the compound RE may have made to your super ride bushing. MANY of us who own RE lifts have issues with these bushings. They seem to crack and wear out VERY quickly. For instance, most all of those I have talked to when we either installed our lifts or replaced the bushing (for the same reason) notice that within a few weeks the SR bushing shows significant signs of cracking already. This seems to happen regardless of the amount or type of off road use.

Some have even avoided the issue and cut the end of the control arm off and welded a JJ or RE SF joint. I am at that point where I need to replace my large super ride bushings again on my lower control arms on my RE LA lift.

Can you please tell me if RE is aware of this problem, if there any suggestions you may have & if your product has been updated to combat this issue?
Thanks!

Their response:
Quote:
Michael,

I appreciate your email and concern. I can tell you that Rubicon Express is fully aware of this issue. The bushing manufacturer for Rubicon Express has not been very truthful to us. The latest batch of bushings we received were not made to our specifications. We had to find another bushing manufacturer, which we did but it has taken some time to setup and to receive new inventory.
Bad news is we still have old inventory but the good news is we should have the new bushings to ship out come in early next week.

Rubicon Express wants to apologize and see fit that everybody that received a bad bushing(s) is entitled to receive a free replacement
bushing(s) with proof of purchase.

If you have any more questions or concerns please feel free to email me or call me up any time.




Sean Smith
Rubicon Express Sales
916.473.4608 Direct
866.284.7311 Fax
Page 1 of 10 All times are UTC - 8 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/