Hi all...


Well, after 18 months, it looks like my strut rod bushings are toast. I cannot turn the nut any farther (it didn't move in the first place)...but there is a good 1/8-3/16 of an inch of space between the bushing and mount (see pic)
It looks like they shrank ????? any they sure look bad eh? I am also getting a little clunking when I put on the brakes...this sure seems like the culprit.

 

Which brand did you install?

At least they are not too difficult to replace.

My Moogs came with a 1/8 inch thick plastic washer for where your gap is.

This is how the directions said to align the bushings and washers:

 

I forgot the brand...but I did not get plastic washer at all as I remember...and I don't have them on either side...


I probably could find some steel ones at the hardware store and use those????

 

I climbed up into the attic in my hall of used parts and found the ones I took off...
The ones I took off have the washer built into the bushing.
The new ones I put on were Master Rides from NAPA...
I don't remember if the Master Rides had a plastic bushing there or not...
I just called around to the nut/bolt and fastener places and no one has washers of this size...
I may just cut it out of the old one..or try the old one to see if it is tighter...


any other suggestions?

 

I know Napa still has the reputation of having the higher quality autoparts, but if they too did not go Asian, they would be out of business.

I think, if in your position, I would get Raybestos professional grade bushings to install, rather than finding a washer to use. I would not use metal unless you find rattling over bumps to be soothing. I do not think other brands use the washer. The Moog is a problem solver brand and apparently they thought there was an advantage to using a thick plastic washer on the back side.

If you want to make what you have work for a bit longer, I'd get a cheap plastic cutting board and use a drill and a hole saw or saber saw to make my own washers to fill the gap.

But the gap is indicative of the bushings breaking down. These bushings effect suspension caster, and will add more stress to the control arm bushings when not upto specs.

Control arm bushings are NOT fun or easy to replace.
I am not so sure my Moogs are holding up well. They break down internally first. Mine have a thick metal washer which fits in the part which goes through the frame mount to keep it centered. The rubber wore off mine and started squeeking until I pulled it off and used some Syl-Glide on it.

Silicone grease does not eat rubber, like petroleum derived grease will.

I think there are some companies which make Polyurethane bushings for these, but this material is harder and will transmit more road vibrations to the vehicle, but should make the brake feel better.

 

Well....


I went back to Napa with the "Master Rides" and bitched...I ended walking out with polyurethane NCP (Napa Chassis Parts)...


They fit well. After taking the old ones out - yes they were worn.


I also would like to confirm you info - YES it affects caster. I had thoughts of " I think I need an alignment." In the past month or so, the wheel had to be held in the 11-1030 position to go straight down the road. After the install of the new bushings today, I am back to 12. Also there is a lot less road noise. And the feeling or sure-footedness and good braking has increase significantly too!


Bottom line - don't get black rubber Master Rides


Thanks for the help! My van drives nice now!


Joe

 

glad you got it sorted.

Do you have a part number for those Polyurethane strut rod bushings?

I see on Rockauto many of the strut rod bushings share the same part number between '03 and 1989, but I cannot find any poly strut rod bushings that claim to work with an '89.

I think My Moogs that were new in the photo above are now too squishy. 7 years old but not many miles.

 

Strut Rod Bushing - Front Susp Part Number: NCP 2749150
Product Line: NAPA Chassis Parts


Yea it is weird eh? I see the same listings...

 

Thanks for the link.

That Napa NCP pic shows the same exact pic as Rockauto does for the Raybestos professional 5781049 and the AC delco 45G25049 and neither of them claim to be polyurethane.

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...673&cc=1073506

Raybestos Pro used to be Dana/Spicer and the Napa /Spicer relationship goes way back.

Are your new bushings a harder material than what you took out?

In my search I saw this on Amazon:


For under 6$ I ordered a set even though they say they are not compatible with my Year Van. But the energy suspension website says they will fit all dodge vans.

No washers included, but it is not as if I need more of those, I still have the originals and the ones which came with my Moogs.

Wondering how much harder Poly is and how much more vibration will be transferred to frame. But I'd like to have a firmer feel when braking. I think the soft squishy Moogs are causing some wandering under hard braking and perhaps some bump steer too.

 

Yes they are way hard - and I think they are poly...they are the same material that I have for my sway bar and those are some type of poly...


FWIW The box says 'synthetic'.


I cant remember what the old ones sounds like since they have been bad for awhile now. I was getting A LOT of road noise with the worn ones - which now is almost unhearable.


I do have a conversion van, so my carpet is pretty thick and does have padding. So noises are really toned down in my van.



My van had a significant wandering feeling with the worn ones - now that is gone

I say try them -- and I totally agree the listings are weird. When you look up an older van it says it fits all of them and then when you look up my 02 it says 98-03 only...funny...