Clearancing ES busings?
 

Anybody install these and need to clearance them? I installed the first round of bushings in the rear, upper control arms last night. The arm now fits pretty snugly and does not move without some effort. I apparently need to shave some width off of these things and am uncertain how to go about it.

I don't have access to a belt sander, which I imagine would be the easiest way. I'm also really hoping to not remove the bushings from the arm, as that would mean I have to order more grease, or buy more superlube and use that. Thoughts/ advice?

Leave it, let the lube do it's job.

Really? That sounds very appealing! I always thought Emilio advised to eliminate this sort of friction though. I mean, it's probably no biggie with the force of the shocks/springs working on it - I can move it by hand for sure. I just thought it should be a freely moving assembly.

did you ever try moving the factory ones before you removed them?

you cant as easily as your talking.

Right, I realize that. The OEM ones are effectively bonded. Part of the appeal of the urethane bushings is minimizing friction as well as the obvious benefits of less slop.

Not arguing, because these are new to me. Just saying that my "impression" was that with these installed, the control arms without the shocks and springs would be pretty much free-floating. But again, I've never done this or worked on a car with these, so I don't really know from experience.

So some friction is typical? The rear, upper, outer appears to be quite free moving. I'm hoping to get to the lowers tonight if I indeed do not need to remove any material on the uppers.

I recently installed a master kit from ES and only had to clearance the front bushings. The rears were stiff but I figured that if I can move them by hand it will be a drop in the bucket compared to the weight of the car moving them around. I did lube everything very well though, I think I used about twice as much lube as what they gave me for the kit.

Which ones did you have to do in the front, and why?

This job so far has turned out to NOT be the nightmare I'd hear about. I bought the HF tool and everything has just popped right out so far. No fuss at all. That said, it IS a bit tedious just because there are so many of the things and that grease is so tenacious.

I've been using the supplied grease for the bushing to arm space and Superlube for the inserts. I see me running out of all the Hyperlube or whatever it's called before I even get to the fronts. Any harm in just using Superlube for the whole job in front, or would you guys order up some more of the sticky stuff from Emilio?

Your impression is correct. I wouldn't it leave it as is, I'd clearance them so the subframe is clamping on the sleeve, not the bushing material. I aim for the assembled corner (sans shock) to fall to full droop. Not to say it won't work as-is, but while you're in there, why not do it right?

You can use a sanding block to clearance, or pick up a handheld belt sander at homedepot for $30 with a coupon. Mount it in a vice and zip tie the trigger so can touch the installed bushing to the sander. You just need to pay attention to what you're doing for the obvious reasons.

OK, so I'm not completely insane. I suppose as is the case with so many things, it's a matter of preference to some degree.

I believe it was the lower control arm bushings in the front, I hit them with the belt sander because they were too tight for my liking. I don't see a problem with them being a little snug, but originally they were so tight I basically couldn't move them.

If you need more lube I recommend using this stuff:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...500_AA300_.jpg

We use it on our baja trucks.. The stuff is awesome for bushings

Sounds like something that would be good to have available regardless. I'll see if I can locate some.

Love Dan Halen btw.....

I did not modify any of the bushings. In my opinion: if they are less wide they can slide, giving the suspension the chance to move forward or backwards.
I love how it feels an I got rid of the 60 Mph shimmy.