1997 rear LCA bushing question

[RandyBobandy]

I have a set of energy suspension poly bushings for the rear upper and lower control arms, I know the uppers are captive but can still be replaced, my question is since mine is a 97 the lower bushings are also captive unlike the 98+, is there any reason I can’t replace them just like the uppers? Is the inside diameter different on these arms? Just wanting to make sure before I order a set of used 98+ Lower control arms

 

[turbo8]

The aftermarket bushings will fit either.

The control arms are all the same, the factory bushings are different.


I just replaced my bushings in my 97 with Whiteline bushings.

 

[baja1]

I just ordered a rear lower this morning 48061-35050 says compatable 95-2004

 

[JohnOfTheJungle]

The aftermarket bushings will fit either.

The control arms are all the same, the factory bushings are different.


I just replaced my bushings in my 97 with Whiteline bushings.

I'm thinking of doing the same? How has it been? Noticeable improvement?

 

[turbo8]

I'm thinking of doing the same? How has it been? Noticeable improvement?

My stock bushings still had life in them, the rubber was pretty hard though.

I felt a little less road vibrations after changing all of them out.

 

[RandyBobandy]

Thanks for the help everyone, I’m working on it this evening and tomorrow morning and I’ll post an update after I test them out, I’m taking my time because the control arms are pretty rusty so I’m sanding that off and repainting

 

[RandyBobandy]

Has anyone ever seen an LCA like this one? This is the side that attaches to the frame

What is the purpose of this extra metal wedge welded on to it

 

[RotaryDreamz]

That control arms looks unique. I havnt see one that looks like that before. I just recently changed all upper and lower rears on my 96, 2 weeks ago. It had original bushings on, and my truck has 300k mi. I definitely noticed a big improvement, especially going over imperfections in the road.

 

[weekendclimber]

The one on the bottom here is a stock rear LCA:

 

[turbo8]

Has anyone ever seen an LCA like this one? This is the side that attaches to the frame

What is the purpose of this extra metal wedge welded on to it

That's what mine looked like.

 

[weekendclimber]

That's what mine looked like.

Both of these do not look stock to me. The bushing in both of these look to be poly bushings, rather than the stock rubber bushings.

 

[turbo8]

The bushings were rubber in mine. I had to cut the lip off one side and press them out.

 

[weekendclimber]

I very well could be wrong on this. Maybe there was a redesign? The picture I posted was off of a 99, and I know they did some redesigns on that year.

 

[RandyBobandy]

The picture I posted was after I put my poly bushings in, it definitely had the stock captive rubber bushings in it before

 

[weekendclimber]

Aw, I see. Maybe the picture of the ones I posted are of the opposite side of the bushing of what [MENTION=94914]turbo8[/MENTION] posted? I can't quite remember, but can look tonight. Still doesn't answer the question of what that bump is. Was the side with the "mystery hump" located on the frame or on the axle?

 

[turbo8]

Aw, I see. Maybe the picture of the ones I posted are of the opposite side of the bushing of what [MENTION=94914]turbo8[/MENTION] posted? I can't quite remember, but can look tonight. Still doesn't answer the question of what that bump is. Was the side with the "mystery hump" located on the frame or on the axle?

The opposite side looked the same, captive rubber bushing.

I believe there was a redesign, I would like to know what the hump is for too.

It is a solid piece welded on to the the end that attaches to the frame, the hump faces towards the ground and sorta tucked into the lower mount area.

Maybe to crush rocks or keep rocks out of the lower mount area. Some sort of vibration reducer?

 

[RandyBobandy]

Frame side, and both arms have it

 

[RandyBobandy]

Also it was facing upwards on mine, and I’m pretty certain it was never removed, I bought it from the tweaker daughter of the original owner and neither of them did any maintenance or repairs over the life of the vehicle as far as I can tell

 

[St Runner]

Both my 97 and the 97 limited I pulled the locker axle out of had that steel wedge. The later models I have seen do not. I think it was only on the 96- 97

 

[RandyBobandy]

Well I just finished installing the new bushings and I have to say it was a huge improvement in ride quality, the rear end feels much more solid now over bumps, now I just need to get an adjustable panhard bar