AU Rear Control Arm Bushes - Top & Bottom

Sloth · #1 (**permalink**) 03-07-2010, 11:36 PM

Anyone know where you can buy these less than at Ford? I was quoted about $130 per bush today. The rubber seal around both ends on all four outer bushes has perished, exposing the sticky stuff inside (and no doubt what that sticky stuff is lubricating) to the elements. It may be a long shot but one i have to try at around $520....

Thanks

Stuart

Philm · #2 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 02:41 AM

HI Stuart,
Not sure if there is an alternative, I tried 2 years ago and there was nothing but original.

As you say I am just starting to walk properly after buying a complete rear end set from Ford.

However they do make a huge difference.

Phil

Mando · #3 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 04:43 AM

Are you referring to where the rear upper and lower arms connect to the chassis? I bought and installed all new bushes before deciding to make new ones from scratch. If these are the ones you need let me know they may still be at the fabricator, if he didn't dump them!

Regards.

Sloth · #4 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 01:55 PM

Mando, alas, they are not. I refer to the outer ends.

Stuart

Aussie Mike · #5 (**permalink**) 03-08-2010, 04:30 PM

They use a spherical bearing in there packed with grease and a rubber boot to keep the dirt out. I reckon leave them as they are. If there is no play in them just drive it and replace them in 20,000KM when they start to wear. Even if the boots are perished they should still be OK. There's plenty of cars on the road running rod end with the bearing exposed to the elements.

Ford in their wisdom used a non standard spherical bearing size, a part unique to the AU rear end. I reckon it was a commercial decision. design a part that fails a few years out of warranty and then they rape you on the replacement parts. Sounds like good business to me.

I dumped the whole setup and built this...