One of these things is not like the other...

"InfinityAero" (infinityaero)
06/23/2016 at 14:56 • Filed to: None

Good thing I failed at compressing the spring correctly to get it seated, because there’s no way I was going to get the upper A-arm (lower 2 panes in first image) seated against the shock tower to thread the bolt through with the larger bushings they used on the set I bought. Here’s the stock thickness:

And the thickness of the set I bought:

Guess I’ll have to figure out the best way to trim those fat bushings down... hacksaw I guess. I can’t seem to find much on the internet about trimming bushings (lots about trimming bushes though), is that a standard thing to have to do?

DISCUSSION (17)

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 15:18

I don’t understand what I’m looking at. What are you planning on cutting with a hack saw?

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 15:29

Those top images look like awfully uncomfortable sandals.

JRapp: now as good as new again > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 15:49

Not sure exactly what I’m looking at here, but I’ve trimmer rubber bushings with a box cutter before.

InfinityAero > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
06/23/2016 at 15:54

If you look at the smaller control arms, where the long bolt runs on the wide open end (opposite the hub bushing), there are bushings for that long bolt. They control the width of the A-arm. They’re wider on the one image versus the other.

InfinityAero > JRapp: now as good as new again
06/23/2016 at 15:55

I was just thinking I’d hit it with a knife first— there appears to be a metal rod running up the middle too. Confirmed with manufacturer they can be trimmed back— definitely narrower than the stock setup.

InfinityAero > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection
06/23/2016 at 15:56

When working on a project, best to purchase items that can be used for a dual purchase. Laugh now, but that $10 I saved on sandals these past few months served me well bought a whole two packs of 600 grit for body sanding. Their life as sandals has ended, their life as suspension components is just beginning.

E92M3 > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 16:07

Use a box cutter. How come the one rear LCA has the squared pieces on the bolt thingy. Looks like it has threads in it too?

JRapp: now as good as new again > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 16:20

Got it. If they’re rubber, you should be fine with a knife. If they’re poly, then that maybe be a bit tougher..

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 16:24

Is that a matter of how far in they are pressed? Those are Vicauto parts right? I read on some Fiat forums that they are hit or miss on quality.

InfinityAero > E92M3
06/23/2016 at 16:36

Those are for adjusting the shock stiffness of Koni shocks without pulling the whole assembly, as it’d usually require. Should work just fine with the KYB shocks I picked up though...

InfinityAero > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
06/23/2016 at 16:43

Yep, VA products. I think you’re onto something with the pressing— they’re clearly pressed inwards more than the stock ones. It may be as simple as having them pressed a little different... and here I was hoping to avoid learning how to do that... :-P

E92M3 > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 17:16

No, I’m talking about the bolt that goes thru the subframe. One is different than the others. Is squared off next to the bushing.

InfinityAero > E92M3
06/23/2016 at 18:36

In the upper picture, the upper A-arm (small one) is exactly the same as the one I pulled off my car, other than the worn bushings and rust that is. The lower picture is the setup I bought. Now that I’ve looked at it more closely, I think they just pushed the bushings in too far, they’d look very similar if the bushings were pushed outwards by another 1/4" on each side— enough that I could trim the bushing and get it in without too many problems.

E92M3 > InfinityAero
06/23/2016 at 19:07

These holes here. What are they for?

Kinja'd!!!

luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln! > InfinityAero
06/24/2016 at 09:17

If that is the case, it’s probably easiest to take them to a shop and have them do it. That’s what I would do if I had just bought bushings and was reusing the control arms. Should be pretty cheap.

InfinityAero > luvMeSome142 & some Lincoln!
06/24/2016 at 09:40

Yeah, leaning that direction. For the rear suspension, I have to remove each trailing arm 1-by-1 to have those bushings pulled and new ones pressed in, so I may as well take the two upper A-arms with me at the same time...

I’m just glad it doesn’t appear to need a trim...

InfinityAero > E92M3
06/29/2016 at 13:27

Those holes are where the lower A-arms mount to the crossmember bolts.