Rear suspension.

[Rebel_way]

Hello crew
So I'm looking to do some work on my rear suspension. It looks like my rear lower control arms bushings are gone, upper control arms look fine to me, but the mechanic says I better do them too, also lower bushings on OME shocks are done and need to be replaced. My rear is sagging a bit too, most likely because I added An RTT this year, I wonder if I can put any spacers to make things better?
What do you recommend for replacement? Is it better just to do the bushings or buy the whole part?
I usually buy my parts from Rockauto sometimes do original parts.

Thank you for your help.

 

[Devbot]

New bushings make a world of difference. The lower trailing arms are a little bit of a pain as they're captive, but nothing absurd. Some get creative with a press to get the steel sleeve out but I personally just burned/pushed the rubber out then used a hacksaw to cut the sleeve and release its tension, after that it practically falls right out Uppers and shocks are a breeze, no sleeve to worry about.
ARB/OME makes spacers for the rear, but they only go so big. I think they max out around a quarter inch, maybe half. If you want more than that I'd consider new springs.

 

[JustTroItIn]

Replacing my old bushings with Poly made all the difference in the world. I went the press method.

 

[Sarki]

I replaced the bushings on both upper & lower rear suspension arms as well as the panhard rod with Whiteline Polyurethane bushings, the improvement was immediately noticeable……zero regrets.
A bench mounted vice and press were my helpers.

 

[[email protected]]

I'm also planning on doing this soon.
Like Rebel, I haven't decided on where to source parts since there are differing opinions on Poly vs. OEM rubber.
The OEM rubber for the front UCA and LCA's are pricey ($400 for the 8 bushings from Mcgeorge) so I haven't pulled the trigger on those either.
I'm really interested in what you decide to do here, keep us posted!

Sarki, do you recall what you paid for your whiteline bushings? (lower, upper and panhard)

 

[MaineRunna]

Unless you have a press or a friend with one you will probably have to pay someone around $100 to press the bushings. Might as well just put Rokmen arms if you want an upgrade. If not just go with OEM or aftermarket. Just buy new springs for the rear.

 

[Sarki]

[QUOTE
Sarki, do you recall what you paid for your whiteline bushings? (lower, upper and panhard)[/QUOTE]

Will be at my shop on Monday and take a look at the invoices for ya as far as prices.

 

[Zhehan]

[QUOTE
Sarki, do you recall what you paid for your whiteline bushings? (lower, upper and panhard)

I paid $66.11 for my front LCA Whiteline bushings from Amazon last June. they are now $81.50 for the same set. I replaced the upper and lower links in the rear. I went with SPC lower links and Mevotech Supreme upper links. Huge upgrades and reasonably priced. I bought the SPC arms from O'Reilly and the Mevotech upper links from Rock Auto.

I bought Energy Suspension trackbar bushings from O'Reilly as well.

I did all the work myself. I used a 3/16" drill bit to cut out the rubber from the LCA bushings, remove the center sleeve, and then a Sawzall to cut the outer sleeve and then a chisel and hammer to punch the sleeve out. SPC has a video on this exact procedure and it's pretty easy and doesn't involve a torch or the possibility of bending your arms. I used a Ball Joint Press kit adapter and a vice to press the new Whiteline Bushings in. Easy-Peasy.

The rear links are just 2 bolts per link with upgraded tubing and bushings.

The trackbar bushings are super easy. Ball Joint press to the rescue on that to remove the old bushings, lots of ES poly grease on the new parts to put them in.

Hope this helps.

 

[[email protected]]

Thank you Zhehan,
This is super helpful info.
I plan to do this myself and was not planning on buying a press. My vice is pretty small so I may need to grab a larger vice or just sneak into a buddy's shop to press these in.

Since this is not my DD, ill probably just check out the condition of the links/bushings when replacing the rear springs and shocks.
I see those Whiteline front LCA bushings you mentioned and will probably end up with that same set.
Thanks again!

 

[Sarki]

I'm also planning on doing this soon.
Like Rebel, I haven't decided on where to source parts since there are differing opinions on Poly vs. OEM rubber.
Sarki, do you recall what you paid for your whiteline bushings? (lower, upper and panhard)

Prices as promised. These Whiteline bushings were purchased Jan 2022 on Amazon.
*W83374 $29.62 Panhard Rod Bushing
*W63379 $74.34 Rear arm upper Bushing
*W63378 $68.46 Rear arm lower Bushing
I have a brand new still in packaging set of Whiteline Lower Control Arm bushings that I will be selling. Let me know if interested.
Only selling because I have a pair of new OEM lower control arms that include factory rubber bushings.

 

[Rebel_way]

I decided to go with White line as well.
And new rear springs 2860