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Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 11:49 am
by cosvega76
Okay, guys, here goes....

I just got done talking with Rare Parts about the ferrules (metal caps) for the lower control arm bushings, front suspension. They tell me they can have some made, but they have to make a minimum of 500 pieces, and even then they would sell for $8.50 apiece. I thought I would get an idea of what you guys thought of this, and get back to them.

Chuck

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:00 pm
by gerbsinmd
8 needed per car

$70 doesn't seem too much to ask, to be able to rebuild the Front end with stock parts and keep the car safe to drive.

That will then give me the opportunity to save up for the REALLY big upgrade to S10 components with different A-arms and bigger and better brakes.

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Tue Apr 06, 2010 12:39 pm
by 72 SS PNL
its 8 per car , 2 on each of the 4 bushings

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 8:49 am
by cosvega76
Maybe I'm rushing things, but I will admit I am underwhelmed by the response to this thread. I was under the impression in previous discussions that these parts were coveted and in demand. If there is little interest in these I cannot, in good conscience, go back to the manufacturer and ask that they invest in them just to let them sit on the shelf.

Chuck

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:19 am
by monzajer
Ya know, I think there is a thread on here where Clyde made some of these. Sorry, can't remember the thread title.

I am sure Clyde will chime in here soon. He keeps up on all these threads. Hey Clyde, remember this?

Be patient, Chuck, more peeps will speak up.

PM sent.

cheers jer :mrgreen:

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:34 am
by gerbsinmd
I'm in for 8!!!

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:53 am
by cjbiagi
Yes, I did make a couple but the time it took was not going to pay off. I found the correct size washer and bushing but it had to be drilled, cut, welded and ground smooth because of the tight clearances. Personally, if I needed new bushings I would gladly pay the $8 or whatever for them. However, I replaced all of mine when I rebuilt my suspension and have another NOS set that I am keeping so I am good. I also looked into having a machinist make some but I ran into the same situation as Chuck and I dropped it. Yeah, $70 or $80 may seem like a lot of money, especially if you aren't planning on rebuilding your suspension real soon but people with these cars need to think ahead if you plan on keping your H body for any length of time. Even common replacemnet parts are being dropped by many suppliers so you need to start creating a "stash" of parts for future use. I was a bit surprised too by the lack of interest on Chuck's efforts. By the way, there are bushings on ebay that show the washers included, they are not. I already checked so beware.

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 9:56 am
by monzajer
Clyde's right, put me down for 8.

thanks

cheers jer :mrgreen:

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:20 pm
by monza355
Do you really need to put these back in? I could not get the control arm to go back in with these in place so I left them out. Did I screw up?

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 12:28 pm
by cosvega76
I would be concerned about two things with the ferrules missing: the control arm may not hold the alignment setting as well, and there may be a possibility of bushing damage in extended use.

Chuck

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 1:01 pm
by cjbiagi
The hole in the frame is oval to allow the cam bolt to be adjusted. You need the ferrules to make sure that you have enough contact surface between the inner sleeve and the frame. The other thing is that the hole in the bushing is larger than the cam bolt, so there is going to be a lot of play between the bolt and the metal sleeve inside the bushing. The cam bolt is designed to fit inside the ferrules and the ferrules fit inside the inner sleeve of the bushing. So, yes, you definetly need them.

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 4:55 pm
by monza355
CRAP! :bang:

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 6:15 pm
by rocketride
monza355 wrote:CRAP! :bang:


X2

When I pulled my front end apart I think there were only two plane washers used on one lower arm. When I got my new bushings from A-zone there weren't any in the boxes. Oh well, I need to take it apart again and put the rubber insulators that I forgot about back on the front springs anyway. :bang: If I can scrape up the money I'm in.

Jon

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:49 pm
by 73astregt
if the ferrules become available id be interested in a set for my stash. :th:

Re: Lower Control Arm Bushing Ferrules

PostPosted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 9:58 am
by cosvega76
I am going to report back to Rare Parts this week. I will admit, I was still hoping for a better response, both here and on the Cosworth board. At this point, I can't honestly ask them to make an investment in these parts with such low interest. If you have any more comments, please let me know by Wednesday. I'm not trying to push, just would like to respond while the issue is fresh in everyone's minds.

Chuck