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My "New" Cradle Bushings "Broke" & How To Correct Camber/Caster Issues!!


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Posted

Yeah, apparently the front upper cradle bushings I picked up fron Don's Brooklyn Cheverolet in Brookpark had been sitting on their shelf for 15 years :willynilly: :willynilly: Didnt realize how bad they were drycracked!!

 

FYI, I bought FE3 bushings (theres a BIG difference!)

 

Heres teh 3 week old one

 

0723091737.jpg

 

Thats not supposed to happen!!!

 

Well, Of course even before my old cradle took a shit (rust) I had a caster issue causing a bad pull to the right, this is cause by too much cross caster (low on the right, high on the left)

 

After installing the cradle, it was still bad..

 

So how to correct caster issues, can help some camber as well.

 

-Get car on alignment rack and get beginning measurements

-Get into adjust caster mode, see where they are

-Underneath the car, loosen all 4 cradle bolts 1-2 turns

-KEEP WEIGHT ON CAR!!!

-Take a spud bar (pointed on the end) use the RR hole in the frame to the body

-Pry in the proper direction to bring caster into spec

-If needed, use hammer on LR and hit cradle to adjust, normally just using the RR will get things in spec

-Jounce vehicle to verify measurement is correct

-Tighten all 4 subframe bolts to 125ftlb!! Use a torque wrench!!

-Jounce vehicle and remeasure caster to verify everything is correct

 

See, its not so hard.. Took me all of 3 extra minutes to do!

 

To adjust camber is subframe shift did not correct (shifting left or right can even camber a bit) then you will need to remove the 3 upper strut mounting bolts. Raise vehicle a bit is not already done to get the upper mount out of the way. Slot the tower to the direction you need (if someone hasnt already done it!) with a die grinder or suitable tool and insert mount back. Tighten them back up.

 

Redo alignment inspection. Get measurements. Loosen up front 3 bolts again (just a turn or 2) and move strut in slots to adjust camber. Tighten bolts, jounce front end.

 

So, theres a little info if you every get brave to go indepth with the alignement on the front end. All angles are indeed adjustable on our cars. And for those who dont align your own cars, it gives you some info to be armed when you take your car in for an alignment and they dont correct front camber/caster.

 

Oh, and heres my alignment printout. Even after reinstalling new bushings and shifting cradle some, I still had to shift it more the bring it in..

 

0723091753a.jpg

 

-Bob

Posted

Any other questions, feel free to ask!!! :cool:

 

I can almost guarentee I know more about our suspensions than anyone on here :wink:

Posted

how is the bushing different? what makes it an FE3 bushing?

 

Much much firmer... Stiff if you like that word too :lol:

Posted

could you post some part numbers on those "FE3" bushings? just curious, because I've never seen any reference to any different types...

Posted

could you post some part numbers on those "FE3" bushings? just curious, because I've never seen any reference to any different types...

 

 

I will get PNs up soon.. I will make a seperate thread with it so it can be sticky'd

Posted

could you post some part numbers on those "FE3" bushings? just curious, because I've never seen any reference to any different types...

I will get PNs up soon.. I will make a seperate thread with it so it can be sticky'd

There is a stickied part number thread already

Posted

There is a stickied part number thread already

 

My parts catalog scans that are stickied do not differentiate between FE1 and FE3 bushings. It only lists a different part number for the earlier cars vs. later ones if I remember correctly.

Posted

There is a stickied part number thread already

 

My parts catalog scans that are stickied do not differentiate between FE1 and FE3 bushings. It only lists a different part number for the earlier cars vs. later ones if I remember correctly.

 

That's what makes me so curious... only differentiates between '88-'93 and '94-'96

 

(I don't think he was referring to that thread, though.)

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=79504.0

Posted

There is a stickied part number thread already

 

My parts catalog scans that are stickied do not differentiate between FE1 and FE3 bushings. It only lists a different part number for the earlier cars vs. later ones if I remember correctly.

 

That's what makes me so curious... only differentiates between '88-'93 and '94-'96

 

(I don't think he was referring to that thread, though.)

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=79504.0

 

There are diffent one depending on FE3/F41 (F41 later years Lumina) and FE1 soft ride.. Its only on the front bushings though.. I will post more info later..

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