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Topic: Loose LCA Question

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MadPikAvenger
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Loose LCA Question
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So all of my control arm bushings needed replacing. I had the LCA bushings replaced by a mechanic friend of mine and the UCA bushings replaced a couple weeks later at a shop near my house. The shop noticed the tell tale "clunk" when applying the brakes in reverse and checked over everything again. They found that there was play in the LCA's and tried to tighten them up but were unable to. I have the 3.5" RE Super Ride lift and this is the second set of bushings for the LCA's and the clunk has been there the whole time. Have you guys had any similar problems or possible suggestions of what could be wrong? Thanks.

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tjhawk
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Yeah I am on my second set of LCA bushings also from my RE lift as well. I called them to complain and they sent them out like 2 weeks later with no questions asked so I am assuming that they know thay have had a bad bunch so they are making it up to customers by sending them new ones for free. Mine were oblongated so bad that my LCA moved like 1/4 inch. The rubber was so far gone I hardly had to press them out.(I have not been off road as of yet. so it was urban driving that did them in.) I lubed the new ones up with simple green(soapy water works well also) and pressed them in with a c clamp and a socket. If rubi made some poly bushings or delrin I would buy those and never have to worry again. Call rubi and complain. Hopefully you will get the first class service I got.

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Do your RE bushings look like this?

1002235largecw5.jpg


This is caused not by bushing failure (though that is the end result), but it is caused by people not installing the suspension components properly. You do not fully tighten ANY suspension product during install until the vehicle is sitting back on the ground on it's full weight. What happens with the control arm bushings is that people tighten then while in the air. The bushing that is way to tight, and when the Jeep is back on the ground under it's own weight you have now "twisted" the bushing. It will cause it to wear much faster and the above picture is a result of doing so.

Bushings will go bad over time. And RE has been replacing bushings for customer's lately with a known issue about bushings failures. I think that they only reason they are really doing it though is to keep their name reputable (though they do admit their was a problem). I'd have to say that 9 times out of 10 I really believe it is an issue with improper install. We run a lot of RE control arms on our own rigs and we've NEVER replaced a bushing on them and we wheel quite hard...


Recent communication with Mike @ RE and here is a recent response;

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 its 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.

Mike Koenig

Rubicon Express Sales
916-473-4603 direct line
866-284-7309 direct fax

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ChevelleSSLS6
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oh crap so do I have one of the 'bad batch' bushings? Purchased in April '09... before I put them in I want to make sure I have good bushings!

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MadPikAvenger
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I called rubicon express and they said that if your bushings are the "good" ones they'll have 4 mold markings on the side. But of course this method of IDing them is useless if they're already on your vehicle...blaaah

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tjhawk
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My control arms were installed while the vehicle was still on the ground so it was not due to incorrect installation proceidure. They had directions...I can read. Spent 14 years being a mechanic so I guess that qualifies me for something. The gal I talked to from Rubi said that they were having issues with thier supplier. If there was an issue with improper install I am sure I wouldn't have got them for free without a good arguement.
If you also look at the bushings themselves you really can't over torque them because they have a floating two piece center and once you tighten down the bolt it can't crush the bushings or even cause them to twist like say a molded one will. I have seen many a molded style bushing fail in this way but it usually takes a while not 45 days like mine did and they usually are very squeeky so right ther ethat tells you there is something wrong. Even comparing the old to the new they even feel different. The older ones feel more soft and I had no problem pressing them out with simple pressure from a clamp. The new ones went in alot harder and now the vehicle feels more "solid" than it did from day one with the older bushings. I will see how long these last. Hopefully it will be longer than the last.

-- Edited by tjhawk on Wednesday 26th of August 2009 01:42:10 AM

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firehawk
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I AM SHOCKED!!!!!biggrin  I thought ONLY RUSTY'S parts failed.confuse Hummm.......

JK, It's nice RE is making it right though.

-- Edited by firehawk on Friday 28th of August 2009 04:48:40 PM

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ChevelleSSLS6
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firehawk wrote:

I AM SHOCKED!!!!!biggrin I thought ONLY RUSTY'S parts failed.confuse Hummm.......

JK, It's nice RE is making it right though.

-- Edited by firehawk on Friday 28th of August 2009 04:48:40 PM



Might not be directly linked to part failures, but... I was told that their leaves are made in India these days no I always thought they were made in the USA.  Guy I was talking to said he believes that most of their other parts are made in the USA.smile

 

I contacted RE... so how do you replace the bushings on these?  Do they press out with little drama, or are they a pain in the balls?bleh



-- Edited by ChevelleSSLS6 on Sunday 30th of August 2009 10:42:18 PM

-- Edited by ChevelleSSLS6 on Sunday 30th of August 2009 10:56:18 PM

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My Fleet
1996 XJ "Snowball"- 3.5" lift, bunch of little mods.  I hate pegleg rear axles!
1974 AMC Javelin "Jade Grenade"- 360v8, 4sp, green inside and out. Underfunded Project.
2009 Kawsaki Vulan 900 "Rocket III"- Summer DD
 
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