Brand new 20yr old bushing disintegrates

[joshua]

As stated on other posts I have a really old duff lift kit new in box. It’s from 2005 to 2008 when purchased new.

I’m just mocking everything up to weld what needs welding and to make sure I have everything before paint. I purchased some sacrificial c bushings from my local store for mock up. They went in just fine.


But when putting in The radius arm donut bushings I ran into an issue. I didn’t want to spend the 60 bucks for sacrificial bushings there so I used the ones that the lift came with.

I used ratchet straps to start them. And they crumble into dust. Very light pressure and the arms were lined up perfectly. I bought the kit in 2009 from a guy and stored it my in my bedroom closet ever since. Which I have ac/heat always going.
Or maybe I did something wrong? I used a liberal amount of super lube on everything.

What I’m asking is would that mean I need to get new c bushings automatically or are they different material? I’m thinking not. But would rather not buy more if it’s not necessary. The ones I bought from the local parts house are just stock and not offset in any way. So i wouldn’t be able to use them with the 3.5in lift.

 

[Master Chief]

Joshua,

I personally would contact Duff’s. While I doubt that they will replace the kit free of charge because you bought them from someone other than them, they may provide a discount.

Regardless, I would not use any part of that kit, including the C bushings. I can only imagine the end result of their failure on the road.

Roger

 

[gr8scott]

I agree with Master Chief. And I prefer rubber at the radius arm ends.

Degreed Rubber Radius Arm Bushings, 66-77 Bronco

Check out the deal on Degreed Rubber Radius Arm Bushings, 66-77 Bronco at WILD HORSES 4X4

www.wildhorses4x4.com

 

[joshua]

Joshua,

I personally would contact Duff’s. While I doubt that they will replace the kit free of charge because you bought them from someone other than them, they may provide a discount.

Regardless, I would not use any part of that kit, including the C bushings. I can only imagine the end result of their failure on the road.

Roger

Ya that’s what I figured

 

[bigmuddy]

As time consuming as that project is, I would buy all new bushings!

 

[DirtDonk]

While all the bushings are polyurethane, they most likely were cast/molded at different times and with different batches of poly mixed up.
In addition to that, the radius arm bushings may purposely be a different durometer (relative hardness/density) rating than the C-bushings.
And while most polyurethane bushings are perfectly fine 30 years later, they don’t all last that long. Some shorter than others, as you’re finding. This might be a perfectly acceptable lifespan.
They’re just not guaranteed to last forever.

You can certainly still call them, but 20 years later and secondhand, doesn’t usually give much replacement value or power.
In any market or category.

 

[joshua]

While all the bushings are polyurethane, they most likely were cast/molded at different times and with different batches of poly mixed up.
In addition to that, the radius arm bushings may purposely be a different durometer (relative hardness/density) rating than the C-bushings.
And while most polyurethane bushings are perfectly fine 30 years later, they don’t all last that long. Some shorter than others, as you’re finding. This might be a perfectly acceptable lifespan.
They’re just not guaranteed to last forever.

You can certainly still call them, but 20 years later and secondhand, doesn’t usually give much replacement value or power.
In any market or category.

Ya I’m not gonna even try. Old bushings say 6 1/4 degrees. So I need 7 degree bushings? I don’t see 6 1/4 for sale anywhere. 3.5 lift

 

[bigmuddy]

Ya I’m not gonna even try. Old bushings say 6 1/4 degrees. So I need 7 degree bushings? I don’t see 6 1/4 for sale anywhere. 3.5 lift

A little more is a good thing. Didn't even know anyone made a 6.25 bushing?

 

[joshua]

A little more is a good thing. Didn't even know anyone made a 6.25 bushing?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes, that was a Duff thing. They have had 6 1/4 for a long time. Don’t know if they still do it, and haven’t checked. But it was definitely their normal high offset bushing.
Maybe they felt that was the maximum safe correction for minimal u-joint bind. Maybe they just wanted to be different.