Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

That's correct, K6178 is the 1LE bushing for the rear control arms.

I'm trying to find the 1LE front lower control arm bushings.

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

I believe Strano has them for that too

Sorry, I thought you were just looking for "rear" bushings....my bad

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Cool. I'll give him a call tomorrow. Thanks!

99FormulaM6r

iTrader: (2)

Maybe these?:

http://www.stranoparts.com/partdetai...D=19&ModelID=8

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

I do not have 1LE Front bushings... don't know anyone who does. Frankly they aren't ideal either, the way the rear "caster" bushing is made it's pretty much forced to crack... it's solid rubber but has to pivot. I've never had a set that didn't split. The more normal stock bushings don't do that because they have reliefs that allow more free movement of the control arm as it moves up and down.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Hey Sam, was that you I spoke to?

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

OK Sam, what I'm gathering from your description of how the rear bushings on the 1LE arms crack and split, the better/beefier front bushing that comes with it is what makes the differance.

Would you say the better solution would be to have 1LE arms and replace the rear bushing with the standard type? How about replacing it with poly?

Thanks for your help.

BMR Tech

iTrader: (9)

Just wanted to verify for people we do offer a rubber bushing alternative for all of our rear lower control arm combination.

Rubber provides a nice alternative for people requiring very low NVH but still want the added benefits of a tubular or boxed style control arm

We have done this for several years but never really advertised it on the open market.

Element

iTrader: (5)

Front lower control arm rear poly bushings are known to commit suicide...there's a thread in this forum (think it's something like "Installed entire Prothane bushing set") that has some discussion about that particular bushing.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Except we are talking about front control arms here Lee.

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

It was me you spoke with.

The front bushing isn't any different than stock, just that rear one. I can supply you standard replacement bushings (those we have, just not that 1LE type rear one). Both has their issues. 1LE's will crack, and ride harder than standards (and NVH is why the standard ones are the way they are). 1LE's to offer some better caster control, even when cracked.

BMR Tech

iTrader: (9)

Sorry was reading earlier in the post when the discussion was about the rear control arms and just hit reply ...back to the front lower a-arm bushing part of the program

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

... no sweat, happens to me too sometimes.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I'm certainly getting an education here. I do not have 1LE FLCA's to compare to stock ones.

Thanks boys for sharing your wisdom and experiances.

I'll do some head scratching and looking around and search for that thread.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I've taken Element's advice and searched for a few variations of "Installed entire Prothane bushing set".

I've found others have been down the same road I'm on. There's several people who have tried several things and a few who've tried to start a sticky faq. Interestingly, Mr. Sam Strano has participated in most of these discussions.

I think I'm leaning towards using the Prothane poly bushings for the front "normal" bushings as they simply rotate on one axis. For the rear caster bushing location, I’m gonna install the stock replacement bushings.

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

I’ve come across some more information.

GM did offer the "1LE" front lower control arm bushings separately-and they’re still available.

22145392 is the front bushing. Listed as 1LE & FE2 1993 to 1997 and heavy duty suspension FE4 1998-2000. $25.29 each at Parts Taxi. Perhaps a better choice than the stock bushing or the Prothane bushing? Definitely different than the standard listed bushings.

22156434 is the rear bushing. Listed as FE3 1998-2000 heavy duty suspension and FE2 1993-2001 ride and handling. $62.44 each at Parts Taxi-but as Sam said, it’ll crack quickly.

Some of the differences in the years they called it one thing or another may be due to GM’s changing then ending of the 1LE option in 1999.

I hate this!

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

sam did say he had a problem with polys in the front arms.......but after a yr of prothanes on my DD they are fine......my .02

Paul Bell

iTrader: (9)

Good info SJS, thanks. Did you put the Prothane bushings in the front lower control arms? Front and rear positions?

Sam Strano

iTrader: (41)

Ok, 1LE arms (the metal part) are non different. Also I bought some of the location bushings a few years ago (they are better for racing) and was told that they were discontinued, an in fact half of what I ordered came in as normal bushings and had to be returned (all ordered under 1LE part numbers). It's possible that they started making them again, but not likely. More likely is that the number just supercedes....

As for the poly bushing thing. I had not so good luck with them--but if you guys want to try them I do sell Prothane. I personally had issues with the Energy Suspension setup, but customers reported the same things with Prothane as well. Maybe they have been redesigned? That could be.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

yes.....the whole lower arm......used a propane torch ......burnt out the old rubber.....cleaned it up.......did not use the crappy grease they supplied.....was not as hard as i thought it would be...the poly is not as articulate as a rod end.....but it beats out the cracked stock rubber......and no noise with polys