Moparts Tech Archive

Front Suspension

Strut Rod bushings

Do you have to have the metal sleeve when you install new strut rod bushings? The new bushings didn't come with them and my old ones are rusted pretty bad.
Thanks
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Michael
Moparts Member
Posts: 2694
From: Bridgeport,WV USA
Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-12-2002 11:59 AM

I used my original sleeves...they were like new. Yes, you need them.
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Trumpanche
Moparts Member
Posts: 508
From: College Station, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
posted 04-12-2002 01:13 PM

I'm actually a little confused about those sleeves. They are the piece that determines how much you can compress your strut rod bushings and how much the front of the LCA is pulled towards the front of the car. They're a very critical piece, but oddly overlooked. I kind of want to try cutting mine down a little bit to equalize the caster on both sides of my car. I can get 4.5 degrees out of the pass. side, but only 2.5 out of the driver's side (and that's with offset UCA bushings). You need them.
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Trumpanche
Moparts Member
Posts: 508
From: College Station, TX, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
posted 04-12-2002 01:13 PM

I'm actually a little confused about those sleeves. They are the piece that determines how much you can compress your strut rod bushings and how much the front of the LCA is pulled towards the front of the car. They're a very critical piece, but oddly overlooked. I kind of want to try cutting mine down a little bit to equalize the caster on both sides of my car. I can get 4.5 degrees out of the pass. side, but only 2.5 out of the driver's side (and that's with offset UCA bushings). You need them.
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info provided by members listed above

strut rod bushing replacement

VanishPt
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 46
Loc: Powhatan Va

Do you have to remove the lower control arm to replace these things. It looks too easy . Pull the cotter pin out, take off the nut in the front and take off the nut in the back. But can you slide it out after doing that?

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Sixpak
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 35

There's another half of that bushing on the other side of that strut rod, tucked up inside the k frame (unless yours is so far gone that it has fallen out, I have seen it happen. Spend the money for the 'good' moog strut rods bushings, the improved design, or poly strut rod bushings.

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oldhotrodder
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 19
Loc: Gulf Coast-Alabama

Yep, you'll rue using the word "easy" when you get into it. As mentioned, hope your inner bushing is far gone. Both are a bugger to get out, at least they were on my Dart, I ended up dropping the LCA so I could pull the rod from the rear. Had a devil of a time getting the new ones to seat, especially the forward ones.

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Michael
Moparts Super Stock
Reged: 01/19/03
Posts: 254
Loc: Bridgeport, WV

Must remove LCA.

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beeper71
Moparts Super Stock
Reged: 01/19/03
Posts: 231
Loc: Wisconsin

Yup, the LCA must come out.While you have it apart might as well put new bushing in LCA.

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VanishPt
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 46
Loc: Powhatan Va

found an article in Tom Condran's book stating you can remove the rear clips to the torsion bars, lossen the LCA bolt, remove the rear strut rod nut and "pry" the LCA back far enough to remove it. That sounds a little easier. Anyone do it this way??

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mcmopar
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 3

did both mine on my duster that way. was alot easier than dropping lca

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VanishPt
Moparts Reader
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 46
Loc: Powhatan Va

thanks to all. That Condran Book is great.

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Sublime_Challi
Moparts Member
Reged: 01/20/03
Posts: 53
Loc: Escalon, California, USA!

I pulled my torsion bars, lower control arms, strut rods and cross member to get this done! Took seven hours with the motor and transmission already out. Took about five to put it back together so far. Still haven't got the idlers, center link, sway bar etc. on... What a pain in the butt to do the whole front end. Is everything else on your front end in good shape?

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JonC
Moparts Member
Reged: 01/21/03
Posts: 56
Loc: Millinocket, Maine

Sounds like you have to bite the bullet and do the whole thing at once. I have to do the same thing. If you have to take it apart, do it all.

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