control arm bushing size (1 Viewer)

[concretejungle]

Does anyone know the diameter of the bushings in the control arms up front on the fzj80?

 

[clownmidget]

Let me go measure one of the OME bushings and I'll let you know in about 5 minutes.
Mike

 

[concretejungle]

Thanks mike. I'm thinking about ordering some johnny joints.

 

[clownmidget]

well the OME bushings measure 60-mm diameter spot on but that's not "compressed". I imagine the actual holes in the control arms are a bit tighter. Good luck.

 

[Tools R Us]

Which end are you going to put them on?

 

[concretejungle]

Which end are you going to put them on?

Well, i'm going to try to stuff one in the rear of the arm, put OEM in the front with the caster plates. If they seem to hold up ok, i'll stuff them in the front of the arms as well. Nothing gained, nothing lost, right. I figure with the joints in, swaybars disconnected, that's about as much flex as the stock configuration is going to get until i kick it up a notch and attempt some 5 link or such up front.

 

[clownmidget]

Concrete, in that case you DON'T want the diam of the front bushings as they are larger than the rear ones - hench my efforts to machine out the rear most hole in order to fit the OME caster correction bushings. The rear bushings are more like 58-mm. I'm not certain anymore but I think that's it, if not it's 56-mm. It did not take much to get the OME bushings to fit.

In your case it seems like you better see what sizes of JJ are available, get the closest one and plan on needing a little machining done when you pull the arms to do the install.

 

[Tools R Us]

The rears are 54 mm. The biggest problem I see with this is the factory bolt is 18 mm, the small johnny joint's bolt is what 1/2"? That's a lot of strength to loose at a critical spot?

 

[semlin]

does anyone have the diameter of the Slee bearing press guide?

 

[clownmidget]

Thanks Kevin for the correction. I knew I was way too tired to remember what it was.

And for the rear bolt, that was an issue with the OME bushings as well. I drilled out the center of the bushing in order to accept the OEM bolt (18-mm). The OME bushing is more narrow too so you'll need to make up 1/2" on the inside width of the bracket too. We welded in two 1/4" hardened steel plates on each side of the inside of the brackets and that worked well. But you should at least know what the width of the JJ would be too so you'll know if you have to modify that frame mount bracket.

A lot of this seems like stop-gap fiddling until the 5-link is doable....

 

[Tools R Us]

does anyone have the diameter of the Slee bearing press guide?

The bushing is about 60 mm, so a press tool needs to be about 59.5 mm or 2.34".

 

[semlin]

thanks kevin, I am off to find a suitably sized socket.

 

[Tools R Us]

I drilled out the center of the bushing in order to accept the OEM bolt (18-mm).

That sleeve in the ARB bushing is barbell shaped, never had one out to measure the middle, but it's significant. Make sure you retoque the bolt to make sure the sleeve is not collapsing from to much metal removed in the middle.

 

[Tools R Us]

thanks kevin, I am off to find a suitably sized socket.

The one I used is an 1 5/8" x 3/4" drive, 57.5 mm OD.

 

[clownmidget]

Kevin,
Yeah, it is actually two parts and it appears that the polyurethane is injected once they're in place. Those seem to be holding up fine but now that my whole front end is in full monkey-motion mode I keep an eye on it just about every day for loose bolts, rubbing, etc. I now have the problem of my stock connecting rod rubbing the tops of the control arms which should be solved by going to Ammo's mod w/ heims. I am amazed though at how well this setup rides though given how much tweaking has occurred and the amount of spring lift over stock.

That sleeve in the ARB bushing is barbell shaped, never had one out to measure the middle, but it's significant. Make sure you retoque the bolt to make sure the sleeve is not collapsing from to much metal removed in the middle.

 

[semlin]

The one I used is an 1 5/8" x 3/4" drive, 57.5 mm OD.

thanks again, I am surprised you could get away with 2 ml as I have heard the metal is pretty skinny. what do you suppose is the skinniest OD that would work?

 

[concretejungle]

In your case it seems like you better see what sizes of JJ are available, get the closest one and plan on needing a little machining done when you pull the arms to do the install.

Thanks all. That's exactly what i'm doing. Looking at what's available and seeing what would fit my needs the best.

I'm looking at these and others that are very similar to see what sizes are offered.
http://www.offroadindustries.com/suspension_parts/polyflex.htm