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DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed

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Offline yellow2000S/R

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #15 on: April 09, 2010, 12:23:56 AM »
I recognize that thread.  :D

What you want to make sure of is that the width where the joint replaced the existing bushing is the same.  Otherwise you will need to use a washer or a similar device to act as a shim to make up the difference.  If you do it right you will have the same length as before, just with a beefy new joint.

The rig you want to look at for whitfield's Tracker.  I'm pretty sure his is the one where I saw the modifications done to the stock arms to lengthen them a bit, as it's the only reference I can find on the site.  But almost all his pictures are dead.


I lengthened my arms 5/8" and shifted the ball joint forward 5/8" as well. I replaced the stock bushings with Energy Suspension ones. The center sleve fits a 5/8" bolt so I just drilled out the front mounts that are factory 9/16". The OD of the ES bushings was perfect for the 9/16" side but the other was larger. I had some 1.75" OD .125" wall tubing that it fit inside of perfect so I welded a section of it into the stock arm then the ES bushings fit great. A quick coat of paint and it was done.

I need to still get some 5/8" washers like said tho. I put the arms in as is and it crushed the factory brackets in slightly. I'll probably only do 1 per side as that's all that was needed. I know I should have taken pics but yea.

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Online fordem

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #16 on: April 10, 2010, 08:58:36 AM »

Interesting! A urethane bushed ball joint..

http://www.currieenterprises.com/cestore/johnnyjoints.aspx



More of a urethane bushed heim (or rose) joint - heim joints are very common on track cars, but generally not a good idea for road use and less so for off-road, because dirt destroys them rapidly.  There's also very little cushioning so you feel every rut and bump in the road.  A urethane bushed one would take care of both of those issues.

Properly built there should be no alignment issues - the potential for greater sideways movement does exist, but that's what the panhard rod is there for.
'98 SQ420 Grand Vitara
'05 JB420 Grand Vitara
'16 APK416 Vitara
'21 A6G415 Jimny

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Offline Drone637

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #17 on: April 10, 2010, 11:27:21 AM »
More of a urethane bushed heim (or rose) joint - heim joints are very common on track cars, but generally not a good idea for road use and less so for off-road, because dirt destroys them rapidly.  There's also very little cushioning so you feel every rut and bump in the road.

And they rattle once they get worn in, and that gets real annoying.  :D
96 Geo Tracker, x-SJ-410,  x-White Rabbit, x-Project Trouble
Crawlers NorthWest
x-Trouble Racing

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Offline 3stagevtec

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #18 on: April 10, 2010, 12:22:47 PM »
I see Johnny Joints in my future...  :)

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Offline chris85

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2010, 07:04:37 AM »
 You could try this.not guaranteeing it will work.
 1.press bushing out.
 2.fill bowl with plaster
 3.put Vaseline on bushing.put in said plaster. to create a negative mold.
 4.fill mold with urethane.

 

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Offline ppltrak

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Re: DIY Polyurethane Bushings - Project Failed
« Reply #20 on: May 05, 2010, 08:50:58 PM »
94 purple/green splash tracker w/ calmini 3' heavly modified lift 32 11.5 r15 bfg m/t's  & custom air induction and header w/ 2"exh. no cat lockrite rear 2" B/L and a heavy right foot and now 583s steel up front and locked.
2002 GV 2.5l 4.5 ZN lift locked on 31's