INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR REAR CONTROL ARM BUSHING
Congratulations!!! You have made an excellent choice in the purchase of your bushings from Racer’s Edge. Racer’s Edge bushings are machined from the finest T6 7075 aircraft grade aluminium and incorporate Teflon lined NHBB spherical bearings, which never need lubrication. The bushing itself is comprised of 4 separate pieces; the main bearing cartridge, the bushing cap, and two bushing spacer sleeves. It is critical when assembling these pieces that the instructions below are followed exactly. The threaded bushing is held together by Loctite 271 which is provided with the kit. The bushing unit must also be oriented properly in the suspension arm in order to have its maximum strength. For these reasons, it is recommended that a qualified technician install these components. It is recommended the directions be read in their entirety before work begins.
1. Remove the original OEM bushing with the steel insert from the control arm. These can be driven or pressed out. This can only be done with the vehicle in the air and safely supported. Removal of the control arm from the vehicle may facilitate the removal of the OEM bushings but it is not necessary.
2. After removal of bushing, inspect the bore and the flat surfaces around the bore. It is critical you make sure there are no high spots present on the flats around the bore which could hinder the seating of the cartridge faces. If there are high spots these will need to be removed via a file or other device. Proceed with this carefully as you do not want to create any low spots either.
3. The cartridge is designed to fit snugly in the bore. It may be necessary to clean the aluminium bore of the control arm with a brake hone or similar device in order to remove any high spots you may have created during removal of the factory bushings. Once the bore is free of any high spots you can slide the bushing into the aluminium bore of the control arm. You want the bearing cartridge to fit as snugly in the bore as possible so be careful when “cleaning” the bore as to not go too far as to make the fit sloppy.
4. The bushing must be inserted with the main cartridge sliding into the control arm from the center of the car, with the cap screwing into the cartridge from the outside edge of the car. Do not install reversed!!!
5. The two threaded bushing components must to be screwed together and locked together using Loctite 271. The Loctite 271 is supplied with your bushings and you should follow the instructions on its label. Tighten the cap and the bearing holder to a torque of between 100-110 lb-ft.
6. Insert the two spacer sleeves into the bore of the spherical bearing and reassemble the control arm into its bracket, tightening the through bolt to the specified torque. You should use the Loctite 271 on this as well.
NOTE: As with any moving part, a periodic inspection should be performed on your bushings in order to assure they are in proper working order.