Bushings... what brands to use... Esp sway bars

[redraif]

Before anyone gets fussy that I'm asking another question... So I have been searching and researching... you try searching "rare parts" and see the mixed batch you get... LOL! Anyway

My sway bars are old and I'm sure due to be replaced.
Pictures of the sway bar bushings to body

outer front sway bar bushing

Rear endlink bushings

So I started to look at what replacement brands to go with. I was hoping to get better then OEM, but I'm not sure that even exists. In the past I have always gone with prothane or energy suspension poly bushings, but I understand this is a no-no in 4x4, esp if ever going off road. So I'm out of my depth as far as knowing what brands are the go to for bushing replacement/upgrade.

I went to O'Reilly's website, as they were more clear on what part went where. Seems there was not a sway bar kit and you have to buy each component separate. Anyway... They offer Moog, Beck Arnley, Import Direct chassis, Rare parts.... Rare is the pricier of the bunch. Who the heck is Rare parts? Internet search shows they started by taking tooling from Moog for the Discontinued items. I have done searches on Rare parts, when I can find it relating to the company, versus actual rare parts on a car... LOL! Folks are saying good things about them. That they are American based with beefier then stock parts. Now Moog is getting mixed reviews on searches. Some saying they have farmed out to the Chinese. Folks are saying they are not what they used to be.

Well here is where I ask you guys.... right now I'm looking at Bushings. Who is the best to go with and why?

I'm hoping OEM is not the go to. I really don't want to deal with the turds at the local Mitsu/caddy/Saab dealer. They have crap Customer service and charge OVER MSRP. If OEM is the way to go... well I guess I need to place a big order all at once to avoid multiple shipping hits.

 

[CanyoneroAZ]

I'd give these a go. I've had some luck getting these brand of bushings on Amazon. I picked up a set of upper control arm bushings for my truck, but have yet to put them in.

http://www.whiteline.com.au/do_segu...inal=MONTERO+SPORT+PA+4WD&vehicle=1998-3/2007

 

[redraif]

did not know you could just change the Control Arm bushings. good to know!

 

[redraif]

So does anyone else have suggestions of bushings that will last a decent amount of time? Or are they all about the same? Surely you guys have changed yours and had luck with some versions over others?

 

[Sabre]

Of course, some folks hate the squeaking that they (sometimes) get with urethane.

 

[KyleT]

Lube them with the special grease from prothane or whoever and they are quiet.


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[redraif]

My prothane urethane bushings on the fiero never squeaked. Lubed them extra good and even made some of the non-greasable joints greasable.

Bird same thing. Greased good... no squeaks from energy suspension.

My issue is though.... I have been told that I can't use urathane on my sway bars and endings as then I will snap them due to the lack of the urathane movement. Esp in off road conditions. Or do I aleviate this issue by disconnecting the sways when I do go off road???

 

[BEG]

Urethane bushings are really only an issue for suspension links that need to flex along their longitudinal axes (eg. rear suspension links that both rotate and twist when the axle articulates). For swaybars, panhard bars, body mount bushings and even one end of suspension links, the only negative effects will be an increase in NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) without the damping effects of the rubber bushings.

For a sway bar and end links, urethane bushings will make the bar more effective. Not sure what the conventional wisdom is for a Sport, but on the full-size Monty's, most people say they remove the rear sway bar altogether (usually after installing higher rate springs) and leave the front. It seems to be the best compromise between off-road flex and on-road stability.