What's the deal with polyurethane front control arm bushings

Silver ACR · Post by **Silver ACR** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 6:53 pm

OK, so I'm going to the local DC dealer anyway to get my belts replaced and I decide to get a set of Energy Suspension polyurethane fromt control arm bushings I've had for a bit installed while the car's on the rack. The service manager refuses, saying the dealership normally replaces the whole friggin' control arm when the bushings are worn! I think he's full of crap and leave.

What's the deal? You just punch out the old bushings, right? Am I missing something?

refect · Post by **refect** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 8:14 pm

yeh there really is no need to replace the whole thing. or at least there is no reason that i know of for doing so....they are probably just saying that to make you have to spend more money with them. it is more labor to replace the whole control arm. so that = more money for them. fuckin stealerships..

Post by **Diablo0** » Tue Dec 13, 2005 10:47 pm

Yeah.. he's full of it.... the rear vertical bushing is replace able and only costs $46 + labor which the labor is only, remove control arm, press out bushing, press in bushing, install control arm back in.

Now the Energy bushings... thats a different story. On the Energy bushings you can't just press out the stock and press in the new. You have to use the center metal piece out of the stock bushing and that thing is covered in rubber which most people burn off with a torch since thats the easiest... so labor cost on that would be up there.

Silver ACR · Post by **Silver ACR** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:03 am

Diablo0 wrote: Now the Energy bushings... thats a different story. On the Energy bushings you can't just press out the stock and press in the new. You have to use the center metal piece out of the stock bushing and that thing is covered in rubber which most people burn off with a torch since thats the easiest... so labor cost on that would be up there.

Humm, OK. I suppose I should ask if there are urethane busings available that are just "press out, press in"? I can't see a dealer torching out a metal piece like you describe.

Thanks

dancingfroggy · Post by **dancingfroggy** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 11:50 am

I got mine replaced with the Energy Suspension ones at my DC dealer no problem at all. If I would you try another dealer if you have more then one in your city.

ACHEAPSHOT · Post by **ACHEAPSHOT** » Wed Dec 14, 2005 12:36 pm

I did a full polyurethane kit on my '05 and the control arms were not too bad. Like Jason said, you have to torch the old bushing off of the little metal piece that you have to reuse. Actually, that part is kind of fun.