Steel bushings for adjustable control arms?

[Bloodlust182]

Does anyone know where to get the correct size steel bushings for the rear camber and toe arms? Mine squeak so bad, and Ive tried every sort of lube/ grease i can think of. I replace the lube about once every two weeks and this is just getting old.

[J4YK]

you can get poly bushings on 3sx

[Stealth_E]

It likely isn't the bushing squeaking, but the actual rod end itself. Mine are getting pretty bad and I'll likely be replacing them with the teflon ends to see if they stay quiet a bit longer.

[Need_a_Miracle]

I bought a set of the Maximal arms a while back. Overall the quality was good. However I could not make myself use the supplied aluminum bushings and 1/2" bolts. The oem bolts are 14mm if I remember correctly. I didn't like the aluminum and was not about to stick a 1/2" (12mm) bolt in a 14mm hole on something as critical as suspension. It looked like it was just asking to damage the holes in the frame over time to me.

I took one of the aluminum bushings and the factory bolt to a local machine shop. It ended up costing me around $20 to have all 4 steel bushings turned with the correct sized center hole to accept the factory bolt. My rear suspension is tight and I haven't heard the first squeak yet.

Check around and see what you local machine shops would charge to make these. The guy I used to make mine is very reasonably and does good work. The only problem is that he is kind of off the grid. If enough of you guys need these bushings I'll take a trip out to the country and get a batch of these things made up.

[Maximal]

Does anyone know where to get the correct size steel bushings for the rear camber and toe arms? Mine squeak so bad, and Ive tried every sort of lube/ grease i can think of. I replace the lube about once every two weeks and this is just getting old.

This is what you'll need: Suspension - Heavy Duty Adjustable Control Arm Rod Ends - Maximal Performance (http://www.maximalperformance.com/store/suspension/heavy-duty-adjustable-control-arm-rod-ends/prod_124.html)

The standard rod ends work for some people (I've had mine for years with no squeaks) and others have issues. Greasing them helps sometimes but the only sure-fire way to resolve it is the with HD teflon lined rod ends.


I bought a set of the Maximal arms a while back. Overall the quality was good. However I could not make myself use the supplied aluminum bushings and 1/2" bolts. The oem bolts are 14mm if I remember correctly. I didn't like the aluminum and was not about to stick a 1/2" (12mm) bolt in a 14mm hole on something as critical as suspension. It looked like it was just asking to damage the holes in the frame over time to me.

I took one of the aluminum bushings and the factory bolt to a local machine shop. It ended up costing me around $20 to have all 4 steel bushings turned with the correct sized center hole to accept the factory bolt. My rear suspension is tight and I haven't heard the first squeak yet.

Check around and see what you local machine shops would charge to make these. The guy I used to make mine is very reasonably and does good work. The only problem is that he is kind of off the grid. If enough of you guys need these bushings I'll take a trip out to the country and get a batch of these things made up.

That 1/2" bolts are rated to more than enough to be fine but I understand you wanting piece of mind.

[Bloodlust182]

By teflon coated does that mean the ball inside the loop is coated in teflon? i guess thats the next thing on my list to get then.

[j2k4]

I'll be mounting mine (with the teflon ends) next week - I'll try to remember to report the results here.

Terry-

Are you selling a lot of the teflon version?

[ChargerX3]

You guys should think about putting a boot on as well.

[Stealth_E]

So these teflon ends are sealed and self-lubricating, right? No prep before install or maintenance at all? I just ordered a set, but I'm considering a boot as well for added assurance of silence.

[j2k4]

So these teflon ends are sealed and self-lubricating, right? No prep before install or maintenance at all? I just ordered a set, but I'm considering a boot as well for added assurance of silence.

I ordered some - they sent the wrong size.

[Stealth_E]

I can't imagine he stocks more than one size, since there are not multiple sizes available, but maybe he does? I guess I won't know if mine are the right size until I get everything apart and actually attempt to install them....

[j2k4]

I can't imagine he stocks more than one size, since there are not multiple sizes available, but maybe he does? I guess I won't know if mine are the right size until I get everything apart and actually attempt to install them....

No, no - I was sent the wrong size seals...right style, wrong size.

When I get it straightened out, I'll post a link.

Control arms are as you say.

[Maximal]

So these teflon ends are sealed and self-lubricating, right? No prep before install or maintenance at all? I just ordered a set, but I'm considering a boot as well for added assurance of silence.

Yep, shouldn't be any need for a boot but it won't hurt of course.


I ordered some - they sent the wrong size.

I'm assuming you're talking about the boots because I haven't heard of me sending anything wrong. Well at least not recently. :p

[Stealth_E]

Thanks Maximal, and sorry for the confusion everyone lol.

I've got it now though j2k4, you ordered boots from somebody else - not maximal, and THEY sent the wrong size. Cool beans.

[j2k4]

Yep, shouldn't be any need for a boot but it won't hurt of course.



I'm assuming you're talking about the boots because I haven't heard of me sending anything wrong. Well at least not recently. :p

No, you're good, sir - just thinking, as you say, that it can't hurt.


Thanks Maximal, and sorry for the confusion everyone lol.

I've got it now though j2k4, you ordered boots from somebody else - not maximal, and THEY sent the wrong size. Cool beans.

Yeah, got the info, but I'll make you a deal - they apparently all come bagged in quantities of six = equals three pairs of boots.

I'm gonna be in for a bit less than $35 for three sets, then (correcting this deal), and I'll throw a pair to you for $11, shipped - how's that sound?

Unless you need 'em sooner - they took about a week, first time - I'll find out tomorrow.

Anyway, if you decide to go the other way, they are: RERS 4, from Seals-It (http://www.sealsit.com).

Let me know.

ALAN - I know I'm still not certified here, but I used to be, if you know what I mean.

Your call.

[Stealth_E]

I actually need two pairs bud, so that may not work for me. And to top that off, I was going to try and install mine this weekend, so I may try to source them locally first. I'll let you know if I don't have any luck though, so thanks for the offer.

[Maximal]

Are there a lot of you putting these boots on them? If so I might as well just offer them as an option so it only raises the price for the people that want them. Let me know what you guys are thinking on this.

[j2k4]

Are there a lot of you putting these boots on them? If so I might as well just offer them as an option so it only raises the price for the people that want them. Let me know what you guys are thinking on this.

I've ordered mine - I guess it just comes down to preference...I park the car in the winter, but there's always going to be a slight accumulation of schmutz at pivot points, and that drives me nuts, because it could conceivably develop into a squeak, which drives me batshit.

Offer them and call it the super-paranoid option, next up from teflon-only.

[DrGonzo]

@Terry - Might be good to just offer them as an option. I know a lot of people, myself included like the piece of mind to keep the ends clean. The little cost involved for getting the boots is worth it in my mind. Especially for someone who DD's there car. Even with the Teflon coated ones they are eventually going to wear down due to the prolonged exposure to the environment. The boot is just another way to help keep the ends clean and lasting the longest possible time.

[DocWalt]

If I was still in the market, I'd want the boots. DD'ing a car picks up tons of grime.

[Maximal]

So it's the RERS-4's that fit? Let me see if I can get some bulk pricing on these things. :)

[j2k4]

So it's the RERS-4's that fit? Let me see if I can get some bulk pricing on these things. :)

Yeah - there's a range of fitment per boot, and your control arms fall right in the middle, as I recall.