Del-La-Lum Bushing Question

FSA1673 · 12-13-2015, 01:26 PM

Decided to upgrade my front suspension on my 1971 GM A-Body. The upper control arm bushings from Global West do not have a steel insert to keep the delrin bushing from crushing. When installed it seems to take a fair amount of force to rotate the cross shaft in the control arm. Is this normal? My older polyurethane bushings took a lot less effort but they did have a steel insert to keep from crushing the polyurethane insert.

Thanks, Scott

1320racer · 12-13-2015, 04:14 PM

when the A arms are right, they have no stiction, swing from their pivot point freely.

FSA1673 · 12-13-2015, 05:30 PM

Correct. I cannot get them to swing totally free. They seem to have resistance when installed and tightened. The thrust washers seem to be squeezing the aluminum housing. When I loosen it up the delrin insert rotates on the cross shaft. I thought the delrin insert and washers are suppose to stay put and the aluminum housing which is pressed into the control arm swings.

With the urethane bushings the steel insert stayed still and the urethane rotated around the insert.

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 12-13-2015, 06:41 PM

FSA…I have the Global West Upper bushings and offset shafts on my 68 Nova Super Stocker. When I assembled everything, I found it necessary to add a shim between the end of the upper shafts and the back side of the bushing retaining washer. What I used for a shim was a "High Collar" lock washer (used on normally for socket head cap screws). It ended up giving me the appropriate O.D. , I.D. and thickness to make this all function flawlessly. The 4 washers should cost you @ 80 cents. I also used the Detroit Speed bushing setup for the lower control arms and set tension with "Stover Nuts" and Grade 8 cap scews. Hope this works for you…MB.

FSA1673 · 12-13-2015, 06:58 PM

Thanks Maurice. I will give that a try. It is just like the delrin insert is a bit too short. Fine for a road race set up but not what I am after.

MAURICE BLENDHEIM · 12-13-2015, 07:26 PM

I know what you mean. Like I mentioned shimming it with washers worked for me. You may have to play around with it a little, maybe more than one on each end. You will see what I mean once you get there. When you get things where you want them, install retaining bolts with "Red" locktite. Any questions just let me know…MB.

12-13-2015, 01:26 PM	#1
FSA1673 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Del-A-Lum Bushing Question Decided to upgrade my front suspension on my 1971 GM A-Body. The upper control arm bushings from Global West do not have a steel insert to keep the delrin bushing from crushing. When installed it seems to take a fair amount of force to rotate the cross shaft in the control arm. Is this normal? My older polyurethane bushings took a lot less effort but they did have a steel insert to keep from crushing the polyurethane insert. Thanks, Scott Last edited by FSA1673; 12-13-2015 at 03:46 PM.

12-13-2015, 04:14 PM	#2
1320racer VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,628 Likes: 160 Liked 759 Times in 379 Posts	Re: Del-La-Lum Bushing Question when the A arms are right, they have no stiction, swing from their pivot point freely. Last edited by 1320racer; 12-13-2015 at 04:16 PM.

12-13-2015, 05:30 PM	#3
FSA1673 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Del-La-Lum Bushing Question Correct. I cannot get them to swing totally free. They seem to have resistance when installed and tightened. The thrust washers seem to be squeezing the aluminum housing. When I loosen it up the delrin insert rotates on the cross shaft. I thought the delrin insert and washers are suppose to stay put and the aluminum housing which is pressed into the control arm swings. With the urethane bushings the steel insert stayed still and the urethane rotated around the insert.

12-13-2015, 06:41 PM	#4
MAURICE BLENDHEIM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langley (no igloos), British Columbia, Canada Posts: 567 Likes: 306 Liked 278 Times in 86 Posts	Re: Del-La-Lum Bushing Question FSA…I have the Global West Upper bushings and offset shafts on my 68 Nova Super Stocker. When I assembled everything, I found it necessary to add a shim between the end of the upper shafts and the back side of the bushing retaining washer. What I used for a shim was a "High Collar" lock washer (used on normally for socket head cap screws). It ended up giving me the appropriate O.D. , I.D. and thickness to make this all function flawlessly. The 4 washers should cost you @ 80 cents. I also used the Detroit Speed bushing setup for the lower control arms and set tension with "Stover Nuts" and Grade 8 cap scews. Hope this works for you…MB.

12-13-2015, 06:58 PM	#5
FSA1673 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 83 Likes: 0 Liked 12 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Del-La-Lum Bushing Question Thanks Maurice. I will give that a try. It is just like the delrin insert is a bit too short. Fine for a road race set up but not what I am after.

12-13-2015, 07:26 PM	#6
MAURICE BLENDHEIM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Langley (no igloos), British Columbia, Canada Posts: 567 Likes: 306 Liked 278 Times in 86 Posts	Re: Del-La-Lum Bushing Question I know what you mean. Like I mentioned shimming it with washers worked for me. You may have to play around with it a little, maybe more than one on each end. You will see what I mean once you get there. When you get things where you want them, install retaining bolts with "Red" locktite. Any questions just let me know…MB.