Why to or not have one Clevite and one JJ on Control Arms
- Thread starter Beowulf
- Start date
Metcalf
Expedition Leader
Honestly, I have never really seen the need for anything but the stock type bushings. I always preferred stock bushings on both ends of a fixed length light weight control arm. You can also add a slight bend and/or offset the lower tube on the lower front arms to gain a little more steering angle before the tire gets into the control arm. Adjustable arms are nice for tuning in a suspension, but once you know what the arm lengths need to be I think a simple fixed length arm is best. I don't see the need for THAT much articulation on the short arm suspension. If you can eat up a 9-10" stroke shock with stock rubber bushings that is good enough for me. Too much articulation and/or droop on the stock TJ suspension and bad things start happening.
The stock replacement bushings are available at just about any parts house. Throw a spare or two in your gear and make a little screw press to take them out and put them in.
I tend to go against the grain on a lot of this stuff. The STOCK TJ suspension works pretty dang well, once you get past about 2-3" of lift I think the performance starts to go downhill all around....
The stock replacement bushings are available at just about any parts house. Throw a spare or two in your gear and make a little screw press to take them out and put them in.
I tend to go against the grain on a lot of this stuff. The STOCK TJ suspension works pretty dang well, once you get past about 2-3" of lift I think the performance starts to go downhill all around....
Token
Explorer
But you also won't get the flex out of the rubber clevites that you will a flex joint bushing.. Flex joints by nature are going to wear and require some maintenance that rubber busings don't due to areas within the joint the slide against each other rather than stretch.
Metal Clock has a new Flex Joint that's supposed to be the best of both types.. http://www.metalcloak.com/Jeep-Suspension-Builders-Parts-s/235.htm
The idea behind one rubber bushing with the Johnny Joint setup is to help the suspension return to an aligned center point.. I have no idea how to explain that well though..
jscusmcvet
Explorer
That was a great instructional video, thanks.
I have had Currie arms with JJ on both ends on previous jeeps. I did not have any problems with wear. Needs to be greased regularly, but, only took a few minutes at each oil change. Just a couple shots with the grease gun. I prefer "green grease" synthetic, which held up great.
That said, I don't see the need for that level of articulation on my current LJ, so when the time comes for upgrading control arms, I will be looking at JKS or similar.
John
I have had Currie arms with JJ on both ends on previous jeeps. I did not have any problems with wear. Needs to be greased regularly, but, only took a few minutes at each oil change. Just a couple shots with the grease gun. I prefer "green grease" synthetic, which held up great.
That said, I don't see the need for that level of articulation on my current LJ, so when the time comes for upgrading control arms, I will be looking at JKS or similar.
John