GBX

Getting ready to replace my control arm bushings and notice that rubber bushings are available from Elephant, Rennline, ERP, FVD, etc and all at different prices. Are they all the same? They look identical and i wont if they're all sourced from the same manufacturer? Any recommendations?

goofballdeluxe

I'd go with Walrod bushings. Highly recommended, and I've never ever heard anyone have any problems.

Source at FDM Motorsports. About $100 and change I think.

Spyder_Man

If you want to replace more of your bushings for a complete overhaul, then I'd look into the "sport" Elephant Racing bushings.

If you just want to address the front end, then Walrod.

Tlaloc75

I have experience with both Elephant and FVD. They are different manufacturers, as far as I can tell, but the quality seems equivalent and they are both good choices. I personally used Elephant for all my control arm bushings and FVD for my subframe bushings.

AOW162435

Jason,
I've rebuilt dozens of sets of 993 control arms over the last 10 years or so. Most of these have been with Walrod polyurethane bushings. Over the last two years I've also rebuilt 7 or 8 sets using Elephant bushings.

My only experience is with Walrod bushings - I installed a set on my clunker shortly after Chris developed them and have no complaints whatsoever.


Rebuilt arms with Elephant bushings:










Rebuilt arms with Walrod bushings:













Andreas

Dr. No

^^^Almost a shame to put those back in a car where they're going to get all dirty.^^^

Very nice work.

I forget - is there any ongoing maintenance (lubrication) required by going to one of the non-OEM bushings?

akrca4

I had rebuilt arms with walrod from Andreas and love it!

nine9six

Andreas,
May I ask what finish is on the ctrl arms with the walrod bushes?
Those are sanitary beyond words!

AOW162435

After removing the original bushings & sleeves, I media blast the arms clean. Then I wash them thoroughly using a prep solvent before installing the new bushings. Once re-bushed, I wipe the arms down with a proprietary lubricant that contains a blend of aliphatic hydrocarbons and mineral oils.




Andreas

s14kev

Looks like you media blast the sleeves also. They should be cad or yellow zinc plated before install. Installed as you have shown, the raw steel will surface rust and look terrible in a few weeks. Here's a set that I did previously

AOW162435

Those look great.




Andreas

samurai_k

I just had Chuck at elephant racing down in Santa Clara install his sport bushings into my cleaned control arms for a nominal service charge. I went down there as he said he could check out my control arm ball joints and my rear toe control arms I just pulled off my car. Well worth the visit as he showed me what a good set felt like and behaves.

Dropped off before lunch, came back after lunch with the bushings perfectly installed along with some new ball joints, and a new pair of toe control arms shipped my house.

Going in tonight!

MarinS4

I was thinking the same thing.

I only polished the inner sleeve and left the outer zinc coating alone. I also have a spare set that I plan to chrome plate for maximum slippery surface.

AOW162435

Like this? Just picked my batch of sleeves up from a 'local' plater today:






Andreas

OverBoosted28

Deeyaammmm!!!!! :-)