Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Right now i have stock arms and bushings, running traction bars. The stock bushings move forward and back more than I would like. I can get solid bushings, but not sure how that will affect things. What are some opinions?

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Get the Global West lower control arms with solid bushings. They have Zerk fittings for lubrication of the bushings.

https://www.globalwest.net/camaro-re...-1999-200.html

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

You might want to check the use of the Global West lower arms with your Division tech director.
I have been told by Division One tech that the use of spherical bearings in the lower bars is not allowed in Stock . which is a shame because the Global West parts are top shelf.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Interesting Tom because there are lot of guys using them.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

The only thing I could find says they cannot be adjustable. Otherwise no other restrictions

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

This is the exact wording.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

The Global West lower control bars are not adjustable and meet the rule.
I believe what Tom was referring is to the interpretation and language of spherical bearing versus solid bushing.

The only difference is the spherical bearing has reduced friction when compared to thermoplastic bushing with a steel sleeve insert for rotation. Needle bearings are being allowed in front control arms in lieu of bushings; to me, there is no difference.

The Global West bars are great pieces and work. Also, BMR has non-adjustable lower bars with the thermoplastic bushings and even has some "Scratch and Dent" bars on sale.

http://m.bmrsuspension.com/?page=pro...productid=2312

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Has anyone had any luck pressing solid bushings into the stock arms? My traction bar mounts are attached to my stock arms.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Unless you are trying to save money, the task to do so and time is not worth when you can purchase aftermarket bars that are stronger than the OEM.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

And there you have it , a Heim end is a spherical bearing ,the Global West arms are spherical does not matter if its non adjustable .
Don't get me wrong , I would love to use them on my Stock customers cars, I've inquired about them as recently as earlier this year. but here is where the "East Coast vs West Coast" rule books come into play , A matter of interpretation .
I won't risk a customers DQ for what is most likely a negligible gain over a bushing.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

That is crazy Tom!
NHRA Tech needs to correct their interpretation of a heim end and spherical bearing.

A heim end is not a spherical bearing; the heim end contains a spherical bearing and all heim ends are threaded and adjustable.

The Global West bars are identical in form and fit and function as the OEM bars and not adjustable. The only difference is it has a solid bushing at one end and a spherical bearing contained at the other end.

Since needle bearings in lieu of bushings are allowed as a replacement to front lower and upper control arms, what is the difference?

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

I agree with SSdiv6 about what a Heim joint and a spherical bearing is. I did ask this question to NHRA about what a heim joint was? Heim joints are an adjustable threaded rod end. I should have gotten this in an email, but this was just an open question at that time. Have learned from my mistakes and get my question answered in emails for future discussion. My next question has to do with what is written in the rule book, a rear trailing arm my be replace with an NHRA accepted OEM type aftermarket unit. Under NHRA accepted products there is nothing list for suspension parts. So if you want to use one of these products you need to get a letter from NHRA saying it is accepted. Would be nice if they maintained a list of what has been accepted.

Is there anyone out there that has a letter from NHRA on rear control arms that has been accepted. And what is there application.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

If you want to keep the stock bars,HRPARTS offer a Delrin bushing and it seems to work very well. Best of luck.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

Jason we had a problem like you have but our problem was with the attachment points on the frame of our G-Body car they were elongated. what I did was installed new Grade-8 Bolts and Grade 8 Washers on all the bars both ends we used a solid bar at the bottom and adjustable bars at the top I set the rear end at the ride height and checked the measurement from the back wheels to front wheels then Tacked welded the washers to the frame. We've had the rear end out since we did that and there is no sign of wear on the washers they were fender washers about 1/8-3/16 thick 2" in diameter.
Kenney Kelley
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Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

James, You figure it's not okay for a racer to make his own solid bushing trailing arms? I sure hope we haven't devolved to that state.

Re: Rear lower control arm bushings 99-02 firebird
 

I have pressed bushings into two sets of rc arms.