Greasable upper control arm bushings???

[Bowman85merc]

Hi. I was wanting to update alot of my cars' suspension.

And i was wondering, am i able to swap my plain front upper control arm bushings to the greasable Police type...I would like to replace them, and was wondering if i could swap them out to the better greasable type.

thanks.

[Lincolnmania]

you would need the entire p upper arm assembly, and hope it is in good shape, because the rebuild kits no longer exist

[trwp72]

I think the only way to get them is the entire upper "A" arm, unless they quit selling those, too... it comes with the upper ball joint.. About 275.00 a side the last time I checked....

[Bowman85merc]

Ok.

because i seen on my uncles '85 PI vic, that his are the greasable screw in type bushing. I also seen that it takes only a few bolts and u have the whole control arm out, so it looks easy enough to swap out.

are these alot better than factory "civilian" front upper control arms, i like the fact that you can grease them, but are they accually better ???

what are you saying isnt rebuildable ??? because i seen on Advanced Autos website, i can get a bushing for no more than $10 ???

Thanks, any help is appreciated.

[packman]

You can still get them new???? I was gonna get upper and lowers from the JY and install poly bushings and premium ball joints myself.



Packman

[1987cp]

I would think you'd be better off getting the Energy Suspension polyurethene bushings like so many guys are using. I'm planning on swapping out my solid-busing upper control arms at some point so I can use the ES kit.

[torquelover]

I would think you'd be better off getting the Energy Suspension polyurethene bushings like so many guys are using. I'm planning on swapping out my solid-busing upper control arms at some point so I can use the ES kit.

I recall a member here reporting that handling degraded after the conversion. Any luck tightening yours yet? I never had it apart. Is it a solid bushing, or a roller bearing in there?

[1987cp]

I don't know about that, the wagon handled pretty well with civilian UCAs and crappy original rubber bushings in it. You know that bend on Evergreen right off Willowcreek? Flicked that thing right through there a couple times with no tire squealing.

My biggest worry about UCA swappage is that I'll still have to drive to Danville, IL to get a decent alignment.

I honestly haven't messed with the old solid stuff yet, other than pumping a bunch of grease into them after my junk was back together.

[Lincolnmania]

Ok.


what are you saying isnt rebuildable ??? because i seen on Advanced Autos website, i can get a bushing for no more than $10 ???

Thanks, any help is appreciated.

those are the rubber bushings......the police shaft and bushing kit is no longer available........just order a set of energy suspension bushings

[gadget73]

Second the poly bushing route. In theory, the solid bushings should allow for a little tighter handling, but if they are worn out, its not going to be any better than tired rubber. Can't get the parts to rebuild them, and I'm not totally sure that new arm assemblies are still available. If they are, they won't be forever. Poly bushings are available, and a lot cheaper than $275 per arm.

[Bowman85merc]

So, you guys are saying skip on the greasable PI ones and just rebuild my stock ones with poly bushings???

Just to make sure, i dont want to get something thats not any better than what i have lol

[Lincolnmania]

i do this stuff for a living.......if the energy suspension bushings were no good, they would not sell so well

[1987cp]

I'm convinced, myself ... if Lincolnmania, gadget73, and mrltd all say it's good, then I figure that maybe - just maybe - it's something I should look into! The fact that the polyurethene bushings are somewhat cheaper than rubber is just one more reason to go that route whe upgrading.

[trwp72]

Is it a solid bushing, or a roller bearing in there?

It has needle bearings in the assembly, just like a u-joint... They supposidly are better at keeping the front end in alignment, and less movement. UNTIL they wear out!

[P72Ford]

Blaze was the one that said that he noted degraded handling.

The solid bushings don't allow any deflection, if they are maintained. I grease mine at every oil change (along with the rest of the front end). I have no complaints; I am a fan of the solid bushings. If you're clever, and have access to a machine shop, there is no reason why you couldn't make your own solid bushings.

I can't tell you if they change the way it handles. I have driven only one civilian crown vic (the purple box, and its still a P72). With the rubber bushings, mushy springs, no rear sway bar, and civilian front bar, the handling is horrendous.

With the sticky tires (17" wheels), solid upper bushings, police bars, and slightly stiffer police front springs), the red box actually handles pretty well.