Front Upper Shock Bushing Failures

[The Roadie]

The bushings are being cut because of the washer, whose diameters are smaller than the bushing. The fix is to have washers the same diameter or larger than the bushings. If it was bowl up, it might have less of an edge-cutting effect, but I'd worry about the impact force causing it to pooch out sideways more.

I do see massive deterioration in the lower control arm mount bushing as well. I've got pictures of everything here somewhere.

[JCrayton99]

So youd rather the bushing get cut than swell out more? Isnt the point of the bushing to swell?

[JCrayton99]

I also think a longer sleeve might help. Thread protrusion is 2-5 threads (aviation standard), and Ive got around 6-7. So we have room to play with there without giving up anything structurally.

[DirtyBacon04]

The big failure of my bushings, James, was when I was lifted with the stock 81s up front. Now that we've replaced the bushings and I've got 89s up there the cutting is slower, but also, the 89s only have 3 days of offroading on them, so not punished anywhere nearly as bad as the 81s. I think this will be solved with something as simple as a larger diameter washer.

[v7guy]

I've still got to replace my passenger side bushing, and the drivers side is only a couple weeks old. I'll see if I can find a larger washer to put on it and we can see what happens. Couldn't be any worse than anything that has happened already.
Should I be looking for a grade 8 washer or will a regular thick zinc coated one work.
I also have a bunch of 3/16 plate I could use to cut a disk out of. I don't know if it would work though.

[Trail X]

So youd rather the bushing get cut than swell out more? Isnt the point of the bushing to swell?

I don't think the system would find equilibrium. It would probably just keep spreading out and eventually tear one of the sides. I don't think that's any better of an option.

I've still got to replace my passenger side bushing, and the drivers side is only a couple weeks old. I'll see if I can find a larger washer to put on it and we can see what happens. Couldn't be any worse than anything that has happened already.
Should I be looking for a grade 8 washer or will a regular thick zinc coated one work.
I also have a bunch of 3/16 plate I could use to cut a disk out of. I don't know if it would work though.

It may depend on which kit you have. But with the BDS and the Rough Country lifts, I think you'd certainly need a cupped washer to prevent expansion of the poly bushing.

[Jblazin82]

Heres what happened to me with Marks 3" 89s and No armor. Bushing gone and spacer damaged. having it repaired locally and should be back in business by next weekend.


Old VS New


Spacer damage

[The Roadie]

Oh, crap. That's what I just installed.

OK, change of plans. LIMIT STRAPS required.

[bartonmd]

Yeah, topping out HARD all the time is really going to beat on just about any top bushing. Some designs are better than others, but all of them are going to be beat to death. Limiting straps would be a good way to take some of the shock load off of the top bushing.

I'll say that I was initially not liking the expansion joints on the highway ride with the Radflo coilovers (it's since gotten better since they've gotten broken in), but there is something to be said for not having a top bushing, and having a damper that (per design, anyway) should stay together without said top bushing.

I expect that nixing the top bushing would result in rapid MikePeters-ing of the Bilsteins...

Mike

[Trail X]

Seems the most important thing to measure post-lift-install is the extension distance. I'm really curious what the extension distance is for the bushings that have failed.

[Karo]

Limit straps are a possible way, other way could be leaving the front sway bar connected. That limits the up and down travel- correct?
KaRo

[bartonmd]

Limit straps are a possible way, other way could be leaving the front sway bar connected. That limits the up and down travel- correct?
KaRo

It does limit the up/down travel of (1) side at a time. If you get air, they're still going to both top out, but if you hit a hole with one tire, the act of transferring the spring pressure to the other side will help keep you from topping out the one that's over the hole. (another reason I kept the front sway bar and removed the rear)

Mike

[snowmirage]

If you get air, they're still going to both top out

Yet another reason why I like to keep at least 3 of the wheels on the ground at a time

[Jblazin82]

Part of the spacer failure is my fault. I knew the bushing was bad and dragged my feet on replacing it tell I found different springs.

Heres what happened to me with Marks 3" 89s and No armor. Bushing gone and spacer damaged. having it repaired locally and should be back in business by next weekend.

Oh, crap. That's what I just installed.

OK, change of plans. LIMIT STRAPS required.

But, Roadie you have weight on the front of your truck and I do not.

[The Roadie]

But, Roadie you have weight on the front of your truck and I do not.

Just means I have more stress when I do unweight the front end and go zero G. I have to change my driving style in the desert's open washes now. Going fast is the only way I can Nick Norie off my ass sometimes.

[Trail X]

But, Roadie you have weight on the front of your truck and I do not.

I'm not convinced it directly matters that much. If anything it might help ever-so-slightly by giving you more down-articulation.

I still think everyone here should measure the amount of down-articulation they have from ride height. I have 1.5 inches with my 87s. So far my bushings have stayed intact (4 years now).

Comon... lets start talking numbers!

[Jblazin82]

I will post my number once I get the tb back together. This weekend. Should have spacers back tomorrow night and 87 springs here on Friday.

[Trail X]

I will post my number once I get the tb back together. This weekend. Should have spacers back tomorrow night and 87 springs here on Friday.

You failed your bushing using 89 springs though, correct? New numbers from the 87s will be nice to know, but won't help much in determining minimum acceptable down-articulation.

[Jblazin82]

Wish I had my 89 number but they got shipped to fish sticks yesterday. But I know there wasn't much. They top out over speed bumps just rolling over them. I'd say about or less then 3/4 of an inch is all

[Gordinho80]

Got my new BDS bushings and washers...