Energy Suspension kit # 4-3151

[pollock]

Over the holidays I installed Energy Suspension kit # 4-3151, rear control arm bushings.

It's been discussed in many threads on here that the kit works for 79-91 cars even though it's listed for 92-up cars.

I did run into one problem. The kit contains two different thrust washers. 3101 is .770 thick, and intended for use at the top of the axle housing for the upper control arms. 3099 is .460 thick, and used everywhere else. I found that 3101 was too thick to use in the intended location. 3099 was a perfect fit there.

I ended up putting it together with the 3099 washers installed at the top of the axle. I omitted the thrust washers at one end of the lowers. It was still a good fit but I'm a little worried about how long that will last. I have contacted Energy Suspension and am waiting on a call back to try and buy two 3099 washers.

Just wondered if anyone else has run into this same issue? Read through some old posts and didn't see anything about it.

[87gtVIC]

I installed that kit in my car and experienced no problems.

[sly]

at most, you may have to flare out the upper control arm a little to get it to fit (or any of the control arms depending on how flipping tight they were torqued when installed last).

[pollock]

Interesting. It was not close to fitting. The difference in thickness between the two washers is 5/16". I would be curious to hear if anyone else has run into this.

At any rate, a pair of 3099 washers is supposed to be on its way to me.

[87gtVIC]

I put this kit in myself and honestly cannot remember any washers supplied by Energy anyplace. Can you show a pic or point out what part you are talking about in a stock photo of this kit. I am just scratching my head over this.

[slack]

I think the instructions here is what he's talking about. It talks about thrust washers. I haven'done the rears yet myself so I don't really have any more insight than this PDF I found.

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/Installation_Instructions/Energy_Suspension/17273.pdf

[87gtVIC]

Thrust washer bushings....

Yeah. I had no problems. Everything was tighter of course because new but no issues.

[lincolnlarry]

I remember them being very tight and hard to press onto the metal sleeve of the diff bushing. Once it is pushed all the way in you should be able to get it together. They are a key part of decreasing lateral movement of the rear axel. Like Sly said spred the control arm if needed. It will tighten up and re-compress in the end.

[Brown_Muscle]

I had the issue of some of the other bushings/washer bushings fitting into the control arm, the larger thrust washers didn't seem to have a problem, like sly said, you may have to open up the control arms a bit to make them fit, and use plenty of lube. It can be of a b*tch if things aren't opened up

[pollock]

Yes, I was talking about the thrust washers. Sorry for the confusion. I just don't see how it could be assembled with the thick ones. The rest of it went together real easy - I pushed the new bushings in by hand, etc. And it's driving great. But I'll take another look at it when I get back under there.

Thanks for the feedback.