[SweetPee]

The RE design is crap - the inner sleeve is too big, leaves too little material to absorb impact. On top of that their metal sleeve that holds the bushing is too thin, it will start to egg out and once it does you'll really smoke through bushings quick.

Good luck - I sincerely hope it is a "bad batch" and you guys get them working for you, but I wouldn't put my money on it.

When I first got the RE links, I was really taken aback with the quality. Thin walled open tubing that had been welded offcenter with what I considered sloppy workmanship. I've always been under the impression that RE was a high end lift, for those with more money than I have. I posted my disappointment on the quality of these simple rear links to another group and was pretty much beaten down and told that my concerns were more my type A personality running amok than a quality issue.

if it had been anything other than just these little links, I would have likely sent them back and gone elsewhere.

I don't want to bash RE because my experience with them so far has been that they are trying to make it right.
When I get the bushings I'll install them and see how it goes. Luckily I can use standard shock bushings in these links, so if the bushings are no good, I can just swap them out again. Heck, I'll just put the ones back in that I have installed right now.

For folks running the lift kits though, if it were me, I'd be more than just a little nervous aout the whole thing. It's a lot of money to spend and have to worry all the time if your bushings are going to fail or not. After awhile the cost of replacements really starts to add up.

I feel pretty lucky that I chose RC, without knowing what the heck I was doing at the time.

Kate your talking about the swaybar links aren't you? Either way, yea their regular run of the mill disconnects are not fun to deal with, good bushings or not. Heck I ran for a year with no swaybar at all just b/c I was really tired of trying to connect/disconnect those links. But I know I love my Anti Rock! :lildevil:

 

[fry]

Hmmm this seems to be an ongoing problem. Same reply I got way back in 2003, when mine cracked and walked out. It's the blame it on the other guy thing.

Ron

i have burned up four sets of bushings in a year and a half, one set in three weeks.

the last time RE replaced the third set of bushings they told me it was my problem and they were not going to warrenty any more bushings for me. i had to buy them in the future because my jeep seemed to use them up and this issue was very isolated.

after reading this thread i called Sean Smith and was told they have a new supplier and will send more bushings when they become avaialble. a complete change from what i had last been told.

i am completely satisfied with the performance of the kit with the exception of the super ride bushing.

 

[glockster]

Are the bushings in the superride arms the same as in the superflex arms?

I just took delivery of my 4.5" superflex kit today. Ya'all are scaring me.

 

[CRJeepin]

Yep, same bushing. Looks like an hourglass. After some wheeling, it looks like:

a different one, also failed:


and another


this affects your pinion angle juuuuuuust a little bit



If you just received new arms, then it means you can still return them...and buy something with Johnny Joints.

 

[fry]

Are the bushings in the superride arms the same as in the superflex arms?

I just took delivery of my 4.5" superflex kit today. Ya'all are scaring me.

i would send it back if you plan on actually wheeling your jeep. if your cruisin the mall, you'll probably be fine.

 

[fry]

no, super ride bushings are rubber hour glass POS and superflex joints have similarity to jonny joints.

edited to add:

Mods, how about a sticky for all the RE super ride bushing threads. :laugh:

 

[3rivers]

no, super ride bushings are rubber hour glass POS and superflex joints have similarity to jonny joints.

edited to add:

Mods, how about a sticky for all the RE super ride bushing threads. :laugh:

The Superflex arms have one bushing and one "Superflex joint".

The Superride arms have 2 bushings.

 

[Kate]

Kate your talking about the swaybar links aren't you? Either way, yea their regular run of the mill disconnects are not fun to deal with, good bushings or not. Heck I ran for a year with no swaybar at all just b/c I was really tired of trying to connect/disconnect those links. But I know I love my Anti Rock! :lildevil:

Yes, the rear ones. I put the links on to replace the QDs in the back. The rattling drove me insane.
I have a SwayLOC in the front - yea baby!

 

[f9k9]

..........Im dealing STRICTLY with RE direct on my replacements. i dont want Dave to get caught up in all this. He too good a guy.

Your thinking makes sense and I totally agree. I just meant that when the smoke totally cleared and new bushings were actually out there that Dave would get my money. I can't deal directly with RE since I don't have a leg to stand on with a used lift and no receipt. I am glad that you focused my attention on the bushings for my new found "shudder" and I appreciate it.

I have spoken with David allot lately, in reference to buying different upgrades and have bought them because of his attention to detail. He is a class act! I have to get into my "used" CAs because of pinion angle changes and wanted to replace the bushings at the same time. I know about the RE bushing problems, can't afford new CAs after a sport cage, Nth TT, AT skid, oil pan skid, seats and 4 point harnesses, MCAI..............e.tc. Mine is a P/T DD and I know that he is aware of that fact. I tried ordering the self destructing bushings yesterday (as a temporary fix) and was guided away from them..

Let's not completely burn a bridge behind us. I come from the XJ crowd and RC had a bad reputation there but, they got active, listened, participated in forums and actually made a turnaround! RE Might learn a lesson from them and turn themselves around., eventually.

I don't have any decent off road shops near me but, having my RE CAs modified or buying new ones are now begging to be explored.

 

[Don_TLR]

It was a happy day when I got EVERY POS RE PART OFF MY JEEP.
Never in my lifetime will I ever give RE one fawkin penny again.

 

[glockster]

Are the bushings in the superride arms the same as in the superflex arms?

I just took delivery of my 4.5" superflex kit today. Ya'all are scaring me.

So after I posted that question a few days ago, I also sent an e-mail to rubicon express.

This is the reply I got:

From: Mike Koenig
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 12:17 PM
To:
Cc: Tracy Baker
Subject: RUBICON EXPRESS BUSHING FAILURES



Marco—thank you for your e-mail.We are aware of the premature failure of some of the superride bushings from our last batch. We have run extensive tests on the bushings and the results showed that the manufacturer was not making them to spec which have caused some to prematurely fail under load.Due to this finding we have contacted with a new supplier and are currently awaiting a new batch of bushings from them. We are expecting this shipment by the end of May.

I can assure you Rubicon Express will stand behind it’s products. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone and will send out free replacement bushing(s) to any customer providing proof of purchase during this time period. Please feel free to e-mail me or contact me at the phone number below. We appreciate your business and also that of Brothers 4x4.They have been good customers and have supported the product line for some time. As far as having the superflex joint at both ends of the arm,this is not something we advise mostly due to the maintenance and noise factors.

Mike Koenig

Rubicon Express Sales

916-473-4603 direct line

866-284-7309 direct fax

They stepped up, admitted the problem and are working to fix it. In this day and age, that speaks volumes about the type of company they are. My bushings will be on the way as soon RE gets them. If your in this group I suggest taking Rubicon Express up on their offer.


<going back to my corner now>

 

[CRJeepin]

The only problem with that response is the date, 2009. Their "last batch" must have started in 2006.

Three years, they're still sticking their head in the sand and blaming it on bushings not to spec when its clearly a design problem.

Believe it if you wish, but you've been warned by others who have been burned.

 

[RedRubiconLJ]

I was told the same thing in May 2006 and also told that my "bushings are wear and tear items and that if I want to run with the big dogs I have to spend money like the big dogs or stay on the porch, thats part of Jeepin!" Yes that is verbatim what I was told. Then I had to pay for new bushings in 2006 and again in 2007 and again in 2008. To be honest I only had to replace 1 or 2 per year. The large ones.
I need new ones again, all of the rubber ones this time. I wonder if I can get my all of my money back and get free ones this time? :bs: :roll:

Are the bushings in the superride arms the same as in the superflex arms?

I just took delivery of my 4.5" superflex kit today. Ya'all are scaring me.

So after I posted that question a few days ago, I also sent an e-mail to rubicon express.

This is the reply I got:

From: Mike Koenig
Sent: Wednesday, May 06, 2009 12:17 PM
To:
Cc: Tracy Baker
Subject: RUBICON EXPRESS BUSHING FAILURES



Marco—thank you for your e-mail.We are aware of the premature failure of some of the superride bushings from our last batch. We have run extensive tests on the bushings and the results showed that the manufacturer was not making them to spec which have caused some to prematurely fail under load.Due to this finding we have contacted with a new supplier and are currently awaiting a new batch of bushings from them. We are expecting this shipment by the end of May.

I can assure you Rubicon Express will stand behind it’s products. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused anyone and will send out free replacement bushing(s) to any customer providing proof of purchase during this time period. Please feel free to e-mail me or contact me at the phone number below. We appreciate your business and also that of Brothers 4x4.They have been good customers and have supported the product line for some time. As far as having the superflex joint at both ends of the arm,this is not something we advise mostly due to the maintenance and noise factors.

Mike Koenig

Rubicon Express Sales

916-473-4603 direct line

866-284-7309 direct fax

They stepped up, admitted the problem and are working to fix it. In this day and age, that speaks volumes about the type of company they are. My bushings will be on the way as soon RE gets them. If your in this group I suggest taking Rubicon Express up on their offer.


<going back to my corner now>

 

[Kate]

I received my replacement bushings on Friday.
For my rear anti-sway bar links.
They replaced the rubber bushings with polyurethane. Still an hourglass shape.

They sent them fast and replaced them with something that will hopefully hold up a little better than the rubber did.
I'll have to wait to find out though because the ugly step children that are on there now are still working ust fine. What I have right now is Rubber on one side, poly on the other. They are shock bushings that we had to scramble for, two stores, two different sets.

So these are going in my parts box for now.

 

[Squint]

It sucks that they have known this for all that time and didn't do a product recall. I know that I personally had to replace the rear bushings 3 times in 1 month. I have better stuff to do with my time. If you add up all the hours that everyone had put in to replace those over the past three years we probably could have all chipped in and built a pyramid together :?

 

[SweetPee]

Honestly I get the impression that RE was being mislead just as much as we all feel we were being mislead. I mean if they have a contract with a company over seas to produce this bushing and then they have issues with that bushing they call the contracted producer right? They tell the producer the issue, and the producer says "ok we will fix it." RE has no reason not to believe them. Then it takes time to get the old inventory out and new in. BAM! Still a problem.... so the cycle repeats itself. Thus I feel that RE was just as clueless and at a loss of control as any of us. They use the bushings and need them for their product. When produced to correct specifications they work as designed. Just like us, we bought their product, it uses these bushings, and if they were made correctly then we would not be having this conversation.

I have been told by many persons throughout the industry and even at RE that RE has changed the manufacturer of these bushings at least twice, so they have been trying. But the producers they have always contracted with have always been overseas. Although frustrating as hell and a PITA you have to think about things a little bit more broad. Why would RE KNOWINGLY have a shotty bushing produced when not only are the waranty claims going to be a PITA but also the pissing off of many of thousands of customers like us and thus damaging their profit, and lively hood? I truely do believe that this is just as much a problem for them as it is US, but now they have finally found a company to contract with to make them here in our country and where they can further and more tightly control the tolerances and make up of the bushings. I am sure they are just as excited about fixing this issue as we are our own rigs once and for all.

I have dealt with RE on waranty claims before, over a mono tube shock. Some how while wheeling the bottom seal got pushed up into and to the top of the tube. It was still on the rig, but clanging around like a cowbell. I contacted Jason At Red Rock, he contacted RE. We sent RE some pictures of the shock and the damage. Re asked no more questions, new shock was on its way. Never had an issue since. So I know from what experiece I have had that RE does desire to do right by their customers.

 

[f9k9]

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. :?

Dayem! I recently got the exact same "shudder". I have looked at everything else but, the bushings and I knew about the problems with RE. I am really feeling stupid right now...........

FWIW, I don't know where else to post this update without starting a new thread.

I was getting the shudder from starting from a dead stop. I attributed some of it to the Trxus MTs and being behind on the tire rotation. Then when hazyredeyes mentioned the shudder and the attention was focused on the bad bushings, I accepted the bushings to be the culprit. Well, as with so many problems, I wasn't static with my setup long enough to zero in on the exact culprit. I made a couple upgrades by adding a TT and rear double cardan DS. I have been running an oem ds with a RE SF 4.5" SL with 3.5" coils for almost a year on an '03 Rubi. I had minor vibes at 45ish but, they disappeared when going higher or lower speeds. I tried to dial in the angles a couple of times but, never eliminated my vibes. Placed it on the back burner until my long awaited TT and new rear DS installs were done. Did the installs this past weekend and the shudder and vibes are totally gone and I haven't tried to even dial in the angles yet.

I guess that I am just trying to explain my lesson learned when one gets a "target lock" on the current problem's solution. The cause might be totally different for each case. RE has problems with the CA bushings, info from more knowledgeable members indicates that it has been going on for a few years. My bushings are not looking the best but, no where near as bad as the ones posted in the photos.

My rear DS was over due but, money was tight. I seemed to be getting by with minor vibes but, I really do not want to imagine what occurs after the symptoms that my rear DS was exhibiting.

 

[LJ Dave]

The only problem with that response is the date, 2009. Their "last batch" must have started in 2006.

Three years, they're still sticking their head in the sand and blaming it on bushings not to spec when its clearly a design problem.

Believe it if you wish, but you've been warned by others who have been burned.

I'm no engineer, but I've worked with design engineers for 30 years on aerospace and other mechanical components and I have to completely agree that it is a design problem. The way the hour glass rubber bushings fit loosely into the eye of the control arms, with no support or pre-load is why they fail. I ran Rubicon Express arms on my XJ when their rubber bushings were the exact same design as the factory bushings. They were bonded to a metal ring around them and they had no play to stretch and move around in the eye of the arm. Never had a single problem with them in 10 years. I put these new arms on my LJ in early 2005 and the bushings failed in less than 5,000 miles.
This "bad batch" problem is really a bad batch of engineering design that they are still using. I doubt any type of rubber in that design will survive for a long time. I guess the good news is that you will never rip a control arm mounting tab off your rear axle when using this design as the rubber bushing is clearly the weak link when using RE control arms.

 

[Kate]

Dave, it's good to see you post this.
When my new bushings arrived last week OBM and I had a conversation over this theory.
I was looking at them and asking if he thought that the problem might be the hourglass shape and stated my thoughts on the design. My thoughts are pretty much the same as yours.

We agreed that it is likely the hourglass that is the problem.

What really tickles me is that I'm an old gal that only graduated from the school of hard knocks, and I might have figured it out. It's great to see someone who has the education behind him who has the same theory. Keeps me from feeling so blondedumbblondedumbblondedumb

 

[Don_TLR]

The part that's BS, is that RE has continued to sell these knowing they suck and fall apart and use the "We got a bad batch" form letter for years.
There are so many better choises out there now versus that Rubicon Express JUNK.