M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

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ndcctrucks
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M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by ndcctrucks » February 23rd, 2017, 11:10 pm

Hi All:

I'm getting ready to install new suspension bushings all around and am finding that NOS does not appear to be available (and may be too old to last very long), and new bushings all seem to be made overseas and look like poor quality; so the question is, are polyurethane bushings a sound replacement?

I have not found new USA-made rubber bushings yet; no cross-references...

-Ken
Keep 'em rolling!

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by Husker » June 4th, 2017, 9:08 am

Did you ever find new bushings
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agwrangler
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by agwrangler » June 5th, 2017, 8:27 am

There is one full set of NOS on ebay. I know the fronts are damn hard to find, but the rear sets are readily available NOS.

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by Husker » June 7th, 2017, 7:42 pm

So no one makes commercial copies or any of the shelf product that fits
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19XX M35 something. Sold......
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1967 M416
On the hunt for an M1031

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by agwrangler » June 7th, 2017, 10:03 pm

Not that I have seen. The NOS ones work perfectly, I replaced my rear bushings on the A2 with an NOS set, and they are great. I will have to replace the front ones as well once I get to that point.

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m75
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m75 » June 8th, 2017, 11:32 am

When I was attempting (note key word attempting here.....) to replace the front bushings on my truck, the frustration in first removing the old bushings, followed by the bent arms when trying to press on the new bushings, allowed me the pleasure of just purchasing new upper/lower swing arms. Like the advertisements say, "your mileage may differ..." :wink:
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m3a1
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m3a1 » June 8th, 2017, 1:14 pm

Ok. You opened this can of worms and went public with it so....I gotta ask.

How the heck did you bend the control arms!!! ???

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by on-to-berlin » June 8th, 2017, 3:23 pm

I just did all the bushings on my project. A bit of a funny job to cut out the old ones but once you know how you do it quite easy actually.
Pressing in the new ones wasn`t too bad. Take a bit of patience also.
If anyone is interested I can post plenty of pictures.
BTW I bought my bushings from otello a ebay dealer in Italy. They were NOS.
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by Challenger2 » June 9th, 2017, 9:26 am

On to Berlin,
Yes please on posting those pics. I am going to tackle that job soon as I tear down the front end of my 77-78 A2 - and then the back.
Thanks
Challenger 2

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m75
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m75 » June 9th, 2017, 11:07 am

M3A1, my overzealous mechanic friend with a press tweaked the arm during the insertion of the new bushing..... After much gnashing of the teeth and realizing it wasn't going to get better with that resource, it was time to order the arms with the new bushings installed. A man's gotta know his limitations....
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

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rickf
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by rickf » June 9th, 2017, 1:14 pm

A piece of threaded rod and a few sockets and nuts and washers works much better than a press. A press is fine but you have to back up EACH bushing, not the other side of the arm.
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by Hambone » June 9th, 2017, 1:20 pm

Put the bushings in the freezer or in some dry ice before installation, they will go in easier.

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m75
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m75 » June 9th, 2017, 5:40 pm

Nahhh, the easier way was to buy them pre-installed in a new-to-me arm!
Jim Peterson
SGM, 31B Retired 2015
1961 M151 -Sold
1974 M151A2, Working It!

ndcctrucks
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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by ndcctrucks » June 9th, 2017, 10:03 pm

After some research, I decided to not use the polyurethane. They are considerably harder and are intended for high-performance use, not trundling down the road or putting down dirt trails.

-Ken
Keep 'em rolling!

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Re: M151A1 suspension bushings: new rubber vs. urethane

Unread post by m3a1 » June 9th, 2017, 10:12 pm

Spend the money where needed, and make it up elsewhere with good old-fahioned hands-on labor.

"Don't worry about it!"....They said.

"it'll be fine!"....They said.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I had a tough day today, too. Nothing that a little Sangria and a dose of some FPPF 00119 Killem (for the truck) won't fix.

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