ok so after 36500 miles my control arm bushings crapped out and so have the sway bar end links

im going to replace my stock front sway bar with an eibach one and replace the sway bar end link with powergrid endlinks

now when it comes to the control arm bushings, the only reliable upgrade i know of is the spherical bushing from OTTP....however that only fits on FE5 lower control arms

my real question is can i get a quality aftermarket control arm bushing that wont fail on me without converting my FE1 lower control arms to FE5 lower control arms?

any input is greatly appreciated

ive researched for 6 hours straight.....cmon i know someone has an alternative solution to changing the lower control arms...

ummm bump for an answer.....

 

what do you have for a warranty. cause there is a service bullieten for the LCA bushings "popping" out wich sounds like it may have happened to you

 

im at 36,500 miles...my 3 yr/36,000 mile warranty is over now

Ive identified the source of the problem as bad lower control arm bushings....i want to know if there is any aftermarket solution for control arm bushings that will fit an FE1 lower control arm

 

im pretty sure you have to upgrade the control arms

 

grr i want to avoid doing that since they are 150 for each side plus 199 for the upgraded bushings

i rele dont wanna have to put stocker bushings on and than replace them in another 10k-30k miles

 

i replaced mine about 3000 miles ago and im pretty sure they **** the bed already

 

grr i at least got 36k out of mine.....have you checked your sway bar end links too?

i wonder if there ever will be a solution to this consistent problem :-(

bump for more info

 

Why don't you just use the FE5 Control arms with stock bushings for now and see if you have any other problems first? If money is an issue, get moog endlinks instead of the powergrid ones to get you by. You can always upgrade to the OTTP bushings and powergrid endlinks when you don't have any other issues.

And you don't need to spend the money on the expensive eibach sway bar when the FE5 one is so cheap.

But, you've probably heard all of this before.

 

you have some very good points but id rather do it once...so im prob just gonna put stock control arm bushings and get the powergrid endlinks

as for the sway bar you have me thinking now lol

 

FYI, it'll be a lot easier to just buy new FE1 control arms and just swap them.

 

Well, do what you want, but, owning a redline, I personally noticed a difference between my stock control arms and the FE5s, so, I couldn't recommend something....inferior.

 

idk answer but i got some fe1 endlinks if u need/want them

 

if im gunna do that im gonna get the FE5 control arms...

this rele is starting to look like a better option

1. get FE5 control arms

2. get OTTP control arm bushings

3. get eibach front sway bar or FE5 sway bar

4. get powergrid sway bar end links

and in the future

5. get SS/TC struts and shocks with pedders springs and rack spacers

since i already have the TTR rear sway bar my suspension would be completely upgraded and i wouldn't have to worry about anything any more

if i just do stock its gunna be a PITA and im gonna have to do it again in another 6 months.....

when i order the powergrid endlinks from OTTP.....would i get the cobalt or cobalt SS option if i upgrade to FE5 control arms

if i dont upgrade obviously ill choose the cobalt option

and one more question if i do opt for the FE5 control arms i can use the FE5 ones that come on the SS/TC

crateenginedepot has both FE5 control arms, the ones that came on the SS/SC and the ones that are on the SS/TC

i can use either or right?

any opinions or answers are appreciated guys :-)

 

you are 100% except for the rear bar. but who's counting...you will figure it out , smart choices you listed there

 

 

when i order the powergrid endlinks from OTTP.....would i get the cobalt or cobalt SS option if i upgrade to FE5 control arms?

if i dont upgrade obviously ill choose the cobalt option

and one more question if i do opt for the FE5 control arms i can use the FE5 ones that come on the SS/TC

crateenginedepot has both FE5 control arms, the ones that came on the SS/SC and the ones that are on the SS/TC

i can use either or right?

any opinions or answers are appreciated guys :-)

again its a 2007 LT with FE1 suspension...but i will be upgrading the control arms to FE5

bumpity for an answer to my questions

what do u mean except for the rear sway bar....?

bump for an answer?

 

Get rid of the one you currently have, it's not the greatest (IMO ) and pick up OTTP rear bar.

I have the OTTP hardcore but you may be more comfortable with the OTTP Street rear bar.

...This is what John was getting at.

 

north vibe, sort of on topic, today I got a progress rear sway bar, took it off a car. Interesting looks just like a ttr bar. It does not look bent, the tabs are true on the table. The tabs are welded on one side only. it is rusty.been on the car a long time. cant wait to send it out for material analysis....

 

whats the differnce? hardcore and street?

 

i figured but for a 2.2 DD i dont think that slight thinckness is worth it....maybe in the future but for now its good

but i completly agree the OTTP bar > TTR bar

but i still have questions

1. if i upgrade to FE5 control arms i can use the LSJ or LNF versions correct?

2. what should i order when it comes to the powergrid front sway bar end link? there are two options cobalt or cobalts SS ?

3. FE5 front sway bar vs eibach front sway bar? i would like to hear some more detailed differences

ttt!

ttt!

 

I would say: Street bar is great for a daily driver...Hardcore is more for the road racing crew!

 

Get the FE5 front sway bar. The FE5 is going to be as big as you want to go and its not crazy expensive.

 

Definitely get the FE5 front bar to save some money towards that other stuff you want.

You really will want to upgrade to the OTTP rear bar in the future (probably just the Street bar), but I myself and wondering if I would like the Hardcore bar more...maybe on of you MN guys wouldn't mind trading for a few days to give me a chance to try it out (could give a deposit on it or something if need be....but that's off topic)....anyway.

I can't answer your other questions about which LCA's and Powergrid end links you'll want, but you could contact OTT on that as I'm sure they have insight. Maybe give them a call and get your answer right away rather than keep asking here where a lot of people don't know you're asking the question.

Also, if you want the FE5 LCA's, you can go to ZZP's site and they have some under the used section for $99.99 each...that will save you $100 for a pair...used, but still in great shape. I'd buy them there if I ever upgrade...otherwise look for some at a junk yard....ZZP's are from SS/SC if it makes a difference. I don't know what the difference is between the LNF and LSJ LCA's though.

 

ok after doing some research ive decided this is the best way to go

i will be doing all of this at once

so heres the shopping list lol

1. SS/TC struts and shocks with pedders springs and ottp rack spacers

2. FE5 (SS/TC) control arms

3. OTTP lower control arm bushings

4. Powergrid front sway bar endlinks

5. FE5 (SS/TC) front sway bar

6. OTTP hardcore rear sway bar

now i think that is pretty much a "top of the line" set up for anyone who has FE1 suspension and wants to upgrade

anyone have any more input?

any opinions please....i just wanna do it once and do it right lol

and i have one final question....to convert to the FE5 front sway bar i would need new clamps and new bushings correct

clamps: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2550C188.aspx

bushings: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/stor...P2553C188.aspx

am i correct in this?

ive searched the how to and ive found nothing on this....

 

click

i'll do some research for you cutiepie

...i was talking about ya girlfriend