'05 Lincoln Navigator lower control arm bushings

[arizonian]

Ran into a problem today. Helping my brother change out the front lower control arm bushings on his '05 Lincoln Navigator. The bore of the control arm is 2.050", the diameter of the bushing is 2.175", 0.125" difference. We got the rear bushing in with a lot of swearing, the front bushing not so much.

We did not measure the bores and the bushings until after we had installed the rear bushing on the right side arm. When the forward bushing fell out after taking pressure off the vice and was halfway collapsed is when we thought that maybe the bushings were the wrong part and pulled out the calipers.

Any one have experience with navigators or explorers front suspension bushings? Are they supposed to collapse when installing them?

On edit, there is a substantial lead into the hole.

[arizonian]

Little more info. The rear bushing OD measure 2.175-2.178" with calipers. Assume bore is 2.175", but since the rear bushing is installed it don't matter.

Front bushing measures 2.175", bore measures 2.050". From an engineering perspective, this is the wrong part. Why would you build that much crush into the part? He has not pulled the left side apart yet so we can't measure those bores.

Pic of the bushing after collapse.

[arizonian]

Junk parts!!!

A visit to a local Napa with calipers in hand and they come up with the same parts we have and nothing matches what came off the truck. Brother called the parts dept at a local Ford dealer and was told that they have heard this story more than once. Aftermarket parts for this application don't fit.

Option 1: Bore the hole to the new dimension. It would be a pain, but it is doable.

Option 2: Replace the control arm assembly with bushings and ball joints already in place.

My brother will tell me what he decides after he sleeps on it.

[Shade Tree Welder]

Originally Posted by arizonian

Junk parts!!!

A visit to a local Napa with calipers in hand and they come up with the same parts we have and nothing matches what came off the truck. Brother called the parts dept at a local Ford dealer and was told that they have heard this story more than once. Aftermarket parts for this application don't fit.

Option 1: Bore the hole to the new dimension. It would be a pain, but it is doable.

Option 2: Replace the control arm assembly with bushings and ball joints already in place.

My brother will tell me what he decides after he sleeps on it.

I have always just replaced the whole control arm,
but then I live in winter salt hell. So...

[mccutter]

You are trying to push a rubber bushing into a control arm bore? Is that correct? No outside sleeve, just rubber? I couldn't tell from the pic. Maybe forcing it into a sleeve before it goes into the bore to keep it from expanding? Long bolt tightening against a washer to pull it in? And lube may help. This is a HF bearing kit but will work for bushings.

[arizonian]

Originally Posted by mccutter

You are trying to push a rubber bushing into a control arm bore? Is that correct? No outside sleeve, just rubber? I couldn't tell from the pic. Maybe forcing it into a sleeve before it goes into the bore to keep it from expanding? Long bolt tightening against a washer to pull it in? And lube may help. This is a HF bearing kit but will work for bushings.

Bushing has an outer steel sleeve. The long lead in is the only reason we were able to collapse the steel sleeve as much as we did.

BTW, we did buy the HF bushing kit. It worked so-so. We did take a 2" pipe coupler and machined one end to push the bushing as it should be pushed.

[Whitetrash]

Plus 1 on what Ron said check Detroit Axle on Amazon I've bought a few things from them now. I have no complaints on quality and they are real reasonable price wise.

[arizonian]

Brother said to screw messing with parts and he will buy the control arm assemblies. I am betting when the assemblies come in, both bores will be the same diameter. Possibly a revision by the aftermarket people to eliminate one more variable and one less part they have to make.