A warning about the front lower control arm bushings
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
A warning about the front lower control arm bushings
Well I am lucky as hell I'm not on my way to the ER right now...
I was in the middle of installing a set of lower control arm bushings in the factory housings.
Pulled them off and, like I have done with hundreds of other bushings, I put a torch to the housing to boil the rubber away. It's a trick that works wonders for replacing old rubber bushings.
Yeah don't do this. These aren't solid rubber. They're filled with fluid. A fluid that smells ****ing awful when it's shooting boiling steam/smoke out of the bushing. Have you ever seen a Lipo Battery fire? Think that but 2-3 times as bad.
Thank the maker the bushing failed on the bottom and shot the fluid all over the ground. I'm sure that crap would have burned my skin clean off if it had failed any other way than it did.
I was in the middle of installing a set of lower control arm bushings in the factory housings.
Pulled them off and, like I have done with hundreds of other bushings, I put a torch to the housing to boil the rubber away. It's a trick that works wonders for replacing old rubber bushings.
Yeah don't do this. These aren't solid rubber. They're filled with fluid. A fluid that smells ****ing awful when it's shooting boiling steam/smoke out of the bushing. Have you ever seen a Lipo Battery fire? Think that but 2-3 times as bad.
Thank the maker the bushing failed on the bottom and shot the fluid all over the ground. I'm sure that crap would have burned my skin clean off if it had failed any other way than it did.
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2013FSport (07-03-18)
#2
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
WOW!
I've heard that they are fluid filled but this is the first Factual Statement I've read. Thanks!
Glad you're OK. Lord knows I've burned a few out.
The nasty stuff catch fire too?
You putting urethane in? Maybe some figs bushings in your oem brackets?
One option I've used is a small drill right through the outer casing. It will leave a grove in the housting so drill where there is some meaty substance. Splitting the shell allows it to fall out without a press!
Be safe...
I've heard that they are fluid filled but this is the first Factual Statement I've read. Thanks!
Glad you're OK. Lord knows I've burned a few out.
The nasty stuff catch fire too?
You putting urethane in? Maybe some figs bushings in your oem brackets?
One option I've used is a small drill right through the outer casing. It will leave a grove in the housting so drill where there is some meaty substance. Splitting the shell allows it to fall out without a press!
Be safe...
#4
A lot of Lexus OEM caster bushings *models vary* are liquid filled to help reduce shock while driving, and give a smoother ride.
I do recommend using an available press to remove these caster bushings from the brackets, or using a drill to make a hole in the bushing to drain the suspension fluid out first if press(is not available).
I do recommend using an available press to remove these caster bushings from the brackets, or using a drill to make a hole in the bushing to drain the suspension fluid out first if press(is not available).
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
I'm going to press them out. I was just being lazy about it and didn't want to press the old ones out and new ones in on my lunch break or stay late after work.
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bcorey
LS - 3rd Gen (2001-2006)
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01-25-13 12:32 PM