Is it possible..

ImplantLabTech · 01-30-2022, 09:37 AM

After rebuilding the suspension by replacing all bushings and shocks is it possible that when tightening things down you can over tighten the bolts going through the bushings to actually clamp the a-arm too tight to restrict movement? Is there a torque spec other than the german good-n-tite?

With these cheap azz rubber bushings and no zerks there really isn't any way to lube them and not sure if the grease would actually break them down anyhow???

Just frustrated the suspension seems so harsh after this and assuming I jacked something up somewhere.

dundeebarnbuggy · 01-30-2022, 09:59 AM

The steel sleeve the bolt go through is the actual bearing point, and the bolt needs only be tight enough to keep it from moving when the arms move. It also keeps the bolt from bending the mounting ears inwards.

Tom47 · 01-30-2022, 04:19 PM

As Dundee said, make sure the bolts are all backed off a bit from tight, maybe 1/4 turn.

If you don't have fiber locking nuts on the bolts, now is a good time to get them. This will prevent them from spinning off when they shouldn't.

Your bushings, sleeves and bolts need to be free moving or your ride will suffer as you described.

dundeebarnbuggy · 01-30-2022, 05:49 PM

Maybe I was unclear. The bolts should hold the sleeves TIGHT on the frame brackets and not allow them to move. The arms and rubber bushings should flex and turn if need be, on the sleeve. Leaving everything loose WILL wear out the ends of the sleeves, the frame bracket mounting ears, bolts and holes in VERY short order.

Tom47 · 01-30-2022, 08:23 PM

I spoke out of my own experience instead of reality. When I installed all of my bushings, the crowns on them were 1/8" higher than the originals. I'm not sure why, but probably Amazon junk.

When I tightened them down, the bushings actually squeezed the leaf to where there was no play. That is why I loosened them to provide some play.

When I put it all together, the bushings would not slide into the frame brackets even after I sanded the crowns down a bit. The sleeve was 3/16" shorter than the bushing crown to bushing crown.

This spring, I will probably get OEM bushings and redo it. But it does ride so smooth now! Maybe I can tighten them down now.

dundeebarnbuggy · 01-30-2022, 09:13 PM

Spring bushings don't move as much as A arm bushings as the OP stated was the issue. There should almost be enough rotational flex in the rubbers themselves that they don't need to rotate on the sleeve.

Tom47 · 01-30-2022, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dundeebarnbuggy

Spring bushings don't move as much as A arm bushings as the OP stated was the issue. There should almost be enough rotational flex in the rubbers themselves that they don't need to rotate on the sleeve.

01-30-2022, 09:37 AM	#1
ImplantLabTech Getting Wild Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 138	Is it possible.. After rebuilding the suspension by replacing all bushings and shocks is it possible that when tightening things down you can over tighten the bolts going through the bushings to actually clamp the a-arm too tight to restrict movement? Is there a torque spec other than the german good-n-tite? With these cheap azz rubber bushings and no zerks there really isn't any way to lube them and not sure if the grease would actually break them down anyhow??? Just frustrated the suspension seems so harsh after this and assuming I jacked something up somewhere.

01-30-2022, 09:59 AM	#2
dundeebarnbuggy Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dundee quebec Posts: 3,190	Re: Is it possible.. The steel sleeve the bolt go through is the actual bearing point, and the bolt needs only be tight enough to keep it from moving when the arms move. It also keeps the bolt from bending the mounting ears inwards.

01-30-2022, 04:19 PM	#3
Tom47 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Kingsland, Georgia Posts: 1,825	Re: Is it possible.. As Dundee said, make sure the bolts are all backed off a bit from tight, maybe 1/4 turn. If you don't have fiber locking nuts on the bolts, now is a good time to get them. This will prevent them from spinning off when they shouldn't. Your bushings, sleeves and bolts need to be free moving or your ride will suffer as you described.

01-30-2022, 05:49 PM	#4
dundeebarnbuggy Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dundee quebec Posts: 3,190	Re: Is it possible.. Maybe I was unclear. The bolts should hold the sleeves TIGHT on the frame brackets and not allow them to move. The arms and rubber bushings should flex and turn if need be, on the sleeve. Leaving everything loose WILL wear out the ends of the sleeves, the frame bracket mounting ears, bolts and holes in VERY short order.

01-30-2022, 08:23 PM	#5
Tom47 Gone Wild Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Kingsland, Georgia Posts: 1,825	Re: Is it possible.. I spoke out of my own experience instead of reality. When I installed all of my bushings, the crowns on them were 1/8" higher than the originals. I'm not sure why, but probably Amazon junk. When I tightened them down, the bushings actually squeezed the leaf to where there was no play. That is why I loosened them to provide some play. When I put it all together, the bushings would not slide into the frame brackets even after I sanded the crowns down a bit. The sleeve was 3/16" shorter than the bushing crown to bushing crown. This spring, I will probably get OEM bushings and redo it. But it does ride so smooth now! Maybe I can tighten them down now.

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01-30-2022, 09:13 PM	#6
dundeebarnbuggy Gone Wild Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dundee quebec Posts: 3,190	Re: Is it possible.. Spring bushings don't move as much as A arm bushings as the OP stated was the issue. There should almost be enough rotational flex in the rubbers themselves that they don't need to rotate on the sleeve.