Control Arm Bushings

[vdk2010]

A friend of mine bought a front end rebuild kit for his 1970 Imperial from @PST and I'm supposed to put it in his car next weekend. Despite the remanufactured parts of the kit doesn't look very nice they seem to be in good working order. Only with the Control Arm Bushings I'm not sure.

The first ones PST send had a lot of cracks in the rubber already. After talking to PST they've send new ones...

...but the new ones look axactly like the first ones. Cracks all over the exposed rubber surfaces.

Would you guys think they are fine and use them or would you complain again?

 

[detmatt]

I don’t remember my Moogs having cracks but if I were you I would call them again and at least have someone explain why the cracks are there and why they shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[vdk2010]

Thanks Matt! That's what I wanted to hear. I'm really not happy with these parts.

I just wanted to hear what others would do!

 

[detmatt]

Changing those out is a big job and one you don’t want to have to do with substandard parts. I did my uppers a year and a half ago and the lowers last spring and I’m still sore...

 

[vdk2010]

I agree. I don't want t odo this multiple times on this car.

But, ähm, sore, ok I hope I can prevent that ;)

 

[vdk2010]

@detmatt Do you have the Moog partnumbers handy?

 

[saylor]

@PST is a member here - they should chime in soon id imagine.

 

[65sporty]

Looks like the rubber has dried out, I wonder how long they have had them on the shelf?

 

[CBODY67]

In reality, they could well have been on somebody's shelf for a while. Certainly not manufactured "last week", by a long shot. Minor and shallow cracks I might understand, but the width of those cracks looks a little more like they'd been "used", although they are new.

Makes me wonder what Moog and others are using for rubber? A different or modified-from-oem that might better resist "age-cracks", whether new or otherwise.

I saw a YouTube video (linked from another post?) about a Protectant 303 stopping all age cracks (serpentine belts, etc.) and giving these rubber items much longer service live with "no cracks". Suspension rubbers, if it really works, might be another application?

Please let us know how it works out.

CBODY67

 

[bluefury361]

[QUOTE="CBODY67,
Makes me wonder what Moog and others are using for rubber? A different or modified-from-oem that might better resist "age-cracks", whether new or otherwise.
CBODY67[/QUOTE]



I have these bushings NOS with the mopar part number molded into the rubber and they show no cracks. Not for sale until I use what I need.

 

[CBODY67]

Ran across that video I mentioned, after clicking on the troglodyte song, that has a title about not having to buy windshield wipers again. A simple "short soak" in the fluid and they allegedly last forever.

CBODY67

 

[detmatt]

I went through Rare Parts for the lowers, part # 15324 for ‘67. I bought the uppers through auto zone who got them from Rare Parts, I won’t use them as a middleman again that’s for sure.

 

[CBODY67]

Usually, finding the "base supplier" (or as close as you can get to it) usually works best and can also produce potentially lower prices. Or at least a supplier that has really good customer service, existing stock, AND a good return policy.

CBODY67

 

[LocuMob]

I got a kit from P-S-T for the Polara, and my only comment is that after a new front end kit, and new shocks, I thought the ride would be a little smoother, still seems rough for a fresh rebuild. I don't think it's my bent stub frame, that shouldn't matter. I got a kit for my Dart, but I won't know til next year if it's the same way or not.

As for what rubber they are using, the cheapest they can get away with using. Not many companies make anything in America anymore, and cutting costs seems to be the main concern after profits. See it everyday at my work.

 

[vdk2010]

Hmmm. Ok. I understand this shouldn't look like this.

I just wanted to hear other opinions about this. So the best is to not put them in and let @PST send some not broken ones. And this is a bummer because they will not be here till next friday...

Thanks guys!

 

[Darter6]

I have been very discouraged from them. The ball joint/tie rod boots only last about a year before cracking and falling apart. Nothing is made any good anymore.They sure aren't gonna last for 30 years like some of the originals.
Holy Crap ! you are from Germany ! I would be pissed !!

 

[commando1]

Those are crumbling right before your eyes. I can hear it crunching from here.

 

[LeBaron1973]

They obviously don't check the item when packing the order. Wouldn't be hard to do.

 

[LeBaron1973]

Speaking of cars vodka, how is yours coming along?

 

[3C's & a D?]

I got a kit from P-S-T for the Polara, and my only comment is that after a new front end kit, and new shocks, I thought the ride would be a little smoother, still seems rough for a fresh rebuild. I don't think it's my bent stub frame, that shouldn't matter. I got a kit for my Dart, but I won't know til next year if it's the same way or not.

As for what rubber they are using, the cheapest they can get away with using. Not many companies make anything in America anymore, and cutting costs seems to be the main concern after profits. See it everyday at my work.

I'm not really good at doing the whole paraphrase thing, so I will just say- I don't think it's my bent stub frame, that shouldn't matter. ??? WTF? That matters guy! That is the base. It must be right in order for other things to be right.