Ball Joints, Tie Rod Ends, Bushings...

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:56 am

So, I've got a Prothane Trailing Arm Kit and Sway Bar End Link Kit on the way. Also have 2 Moog Outer Tie Rod Ends and 2 Moog Ball Joints on the way. Got the ball joints for...$12 each! Woo

Anyone know a place that has poly sway bar bushings in stock? Only things I'm missing really. Was going to get 'em through Summit but they won't be in stock until the end of the month.

jT · Post by jT » Wed Aug 12, 2009 4:59 am

http://www.ajusa.com/ should have them

http://www.ajusa.com/details/index/633/0/0/PTP+4-214 control arm bushings. you didnt specify these but something to think about..

i dont know what your stock sway bar size is, so use these part numbers on the aj-usa site to find them

(Neon, SRT-4)
95-06 Front Sway Bar Bushing Kit, 20mm Bar 4-1118
00-06 Front Sway Bar Bushing Kit, 24mm Bar 4-1120
00-06 Rear Sway Bar Bushing Kit, 12mm Bar 4-1130
00-06 Rear Sway Bar Bushing Kit, 14mm Bar 4-1131
00-06 Rear Sway Bar Bushing Kit, 17mm Bar 4-1137

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 6:10 am

I actually just placed an order last night through AJUSA for the end links and trailing arm bushings. I just entered the part number and it shows up, but not under the Neon section. Ugh. I will have to call them and see if they can be added.

I also, already have Prothane Front Control Arm bushings. First "mod" if you will, lol, along with a new transmission oil pump.

Thanks though for suggesting searching using the part number. Now if they only added it to vehicles other than a Lexus...

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:56 pm

Had them add the bushings, although I'm taking it they only place an order through Prothane once a week because that is how long my order is going to be delayed now ("until they order them next week").

jT · Post by jT » Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:55 am

they used to have them listed under neon, since thats where i bought all my stuff.. not sure why they removed it.. at least its all available by part number though

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:35 pm

Yeah. They called this morning to ask me if black end links were OK instead of red ones (instead of either just not sending me any or just sending the black ones anyways). They found out today that Prothane only has black ones and won't be making anymore red until the black ones are gone. Kudos to them for actually calling!!

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Fri Aug 14, 2009 9:26 pm

WOO +1 for that shop for swell customer service. what are moog bushings? i havent heard of them b4.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 1:09 am

Moog bushings? Ummm, got me on that one... I'm getting Moog Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends...??? Moog does make bushings though.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:01 am

They are crap stock rubber replacement bushings made by the same Malaysian children that all parts store suspension bits and and put in a Moog box, you get the honor of paying out the ass for a nice box that the parts store will inevitably crush and you were going to throw it out anyway.

Modern has the full prothane set for $100 trust me its the best value

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:52 am

If they are made in Malaysia by children, how come it says Made in USA on all 4 of the boxes I have?

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:08 am

You missed the point... All aftermarket parts store bushings are made from the same batches of rubber at not super high quality levels. Stock neon bushings are fairly stiff to begin with the aftermarket bushings are just not up to the task in most cases.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 2:07 pm

Out of curiosity then, where are the factory bushings made and who makes them? I can't imagine there being tons of producers of rubber bushings. It's my understanding that two or three major companies are making them, and then sell them to be relabeled under different brands.

bone-yard-racing · Post by **bone-yard-racing** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:57 pm

Probably say factory a makes the mopar bushings chrysler gives them a set of criteria that the bushings need to meet. The aftermarket producers are only considered with fitment and if the part will do the job well enough

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 3:00 am

I understand that (Motorcraft vs. Autolite, for example). I was getting at say Federal Mogul makes the factory bushings, most likely bushings from them will last just as long as the factory ones. Either way, a quality company's parts will last just as long, if not longer, than OEM parts. Take my car for example. Not even 100,000 miles and I need new ball joints, tie rods and a complete rear bushing kit. That is in addition to the control arm bushing I've already had to replace. My friend's father has 2 Dodge Rams. I can't remember which one, but he went through 2 sets of factory parts (tie rods or ball joints IIRC) fairly quickly. A set of Moog parts lasted him 2-3 times longer. After holding the Moog tie rods in my hands, I will say the Moog >>>>> OEM thus far just from appearance and the way it is built.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:15 pm

Presents came today (don't mind the scribbled on couch. Waiting until she completely understands she can't draw on furniture before buying a new one, lol):

Going to start tonight hopefully...

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:37 pm

Oh, to add: After my experience with AJUSA.com, I'd recommend them to anyone. I mentioned them calling me (called both numbers to get a hold of me) to make sure that black endlinks would be OK or just take them off the order. The whole order ended up shipping on the 18th and here they are!

+1 for AJUSA

Maddog · Post by **Maddog** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 2:45 pm

darthroush wrote:Oh, to add: After my experience with AJUSA.com, I'd recommend them to anyone. I mentioned them calling me (called both numbers to get a hold of me) to make sure that black endlinks would be OK or just take them off the order. The whole order ended up shipping on the 18th and here they are!

+1 for AJUSA

Another +1 for AJUSA - good outfit to get parts from

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:00 am

The front end is apart. Just have to take the LCA's down to town in the morning to have the old ball joints removed and the new ones pressed in; and put the new tie rods ends on and reassemble with the new bushings. Then take the rear apart and replace the bushings and I should be all done. Tomorrow night is the plan, Saturday morning at the latest.

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:52 am

where are da moog tie rods and ball joints???

i only see pictures of prothane stuff

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:29 pm

LOL, didn't know I needed pics of those too. The ball joints are all pressed in. Just have to put the new tie rods on and then reassemble the front, and then just do the rear suspension. Have a 4 wheel alignment appointment set for Monday morning.

I will take some pictures of them for you though

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 10:24 pm

Front is all done. New ball joints, outer tie rod ends (the Moog ones are a damn fine piece of hardware), sway bar bushings (a bitch to push on, but better IMO that cutting them to slip them over the bar), and sway bar end links. Took pictures which will all be uploaded when the whole thing is done.

Going to tackle the rear in the morning. Now, off to a party for the night. Peace out.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Mon Aug 24, 2009 1:17 pm

Just got back from having the car aligned. I hope it stays that way now. The rear bushing kit was a breeze to install. It actually took about 5 times longer to burn the old bushings out of the arms than it did to take them off, paint them, put the new bushings in and re-install.

thttxboy · Post by **thttxboy** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:27 am

damn looks good I have never seen someone do the rear lateral arms but looks good. Hows the car handling now ??

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Tue Aug 25, 2009 1:38 pm

Thanks! I had to do the lateral arms because it would not hold toe in the rear. For example, one of the factory bushings was completely twisted around between the lateral arm sleeve and the eccentric sleeve. Another was bulging out of the arm/sleeve and so on.

As for the handling, it isn't anything extraordinary, but it is a bit tighter than before. Not as much roll I suppose. For the amount of money the end-links and sway bar bushings cost, I figure it was a worthwile upgrade.

MyNeonSaysHi · Post by **MyNeonSaysHi** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 1:46 pm

Awesome before and after picts man!

On topic:
You need any special tools to do the outer tie rod? I believe mine is bad on the drivers side.

I am goign to go with Duralast. $35 plus lifetime warranty...

Can't stop watching your avatar, OUCH!

clancaster23 · Post by **clancaster23** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 9:02 pm

Avatar is mucho painful to watch lol!

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 11:20 am

lol, since my other one was "mean," I changed it. No special tools for the tie rod end. Just break the tie rod nut loose and it simply unscrews from there (providing they are not rusted).