Lower Control Arm Mounting Question - Using Breeze Offset Bushings

[accobra66]

I have a set of Breeze offset control arm bushings on my Mark I/II. Previously I had these installed on my regular length original tubular control arms and they completely solved the binding issue.

I am doing a pin drive conversion this winter and I am now installing them on FFR’s pin drive width (narrow) control arms. These control arms are a bit different than my Mark I/II (regular width) as the plastic control arm bushing arm on the rear side (right as you face frame) is narrower than the tabs on the frame. But, the offset bushing obviously still fits well.

My question is do I just tighten down on the Breeze bushing and not worry about the 1/16” thickness between the plastic control arm bushing and the frame ear? When I tighten down on the Breeze bushings it will still keep the frame tabs straight so there is no concern there. I am wondering if somebody makes a plastic bushing to fill that area?

See attached pictures.

Side note: There is a steel bushing that came with the frame bolts (as supplied with the control arms I purchased) that measures 15/64” thick. It is meant I would image to be a spacer between the plastic control arm bushing and the ears if the Breeze offset bushings were not to be used? Is this correct, discard these steel spacers when using Breeze bushings? This would mean that grease is going to squeeze out rather easily as compared to if the plastic bushing where wedged up against the frame ear.

[accobra66]

2567125672Ended up running to Ace and found some bushings that are nearly the same I/D as the Breeze bushings. Two of these steel bushings (washers) void. Although not the same O/D as the plastic control arm bushing I think they will work quote well at holding the plastic bushing in tight against the control arm itself.

[CraigS]

Be careful that you don't lock the plastic bushings to the mount ears on the frame. The plastic bushings should be rotating along w/ the control arm so the movement is the plastic bushing rotating around the steel sleeves from Breeze.

[accobra66]

Craig, thank you. Feels like everything is moving very freely.

[rich grsc]

Do not put a spacer against the rubber(plastic) bushing, you don't want to bind it. That is the reason for the longer steel Breeze bushings.

[jackboeker83]

I had that space as well and I put a spacer in there. After a couple of months the rubber looks really squeezed and I am thinking about taking the spacer out but what about the space that is there? That space can't be good either right?

[Todd Buttrick]

You don't need the spacer. The forward CA frame mount prevents fore and aft movement of the CA.

[Jim Schenck]

The pivot sleeves that come with the A-arms are now machined on the outer diameter and are longer than the bushings just enough to give no binding up but also no front to back movement of the arm, they have been that way for a few years now. If you are worried about the space I would try putting those back in (at least in the rear) and using the big washer that has the same ID as the sleeve.