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{{ImportedFrom|site=Xenonzcar|title=XenonZcar|url=https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/rearsuspensionbushings.php.html|archive=https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/rearsuspensionbushings.php.html|fetched=2026-05-15}}
{{ImportedFrom|site=Xenonzcar|title=XenonZcar|url=https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/rearsuspensionbushings.php.html|archive=https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/rearsuspensionbushings.php.html|fetched=2026-05-15}}


== Z31 Rear Control Arm Bushing Upgrade ==
== Z31 Rear Control Arm Bushing Upgrade ==
Line 51: Line 51:
# Pull the wheels off the rear.
# Pull the wheels off the rear.
# Remove the brake lines from the control arm to the hard line on each side.
# Remove the brake lines from the control arm to the hard line on each side.
#  Remove the rear sway bar (4 bolts). If bushings are worn, replace them now. <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/swaybarmount.jpg
#  Remove the rear sway bar (4 bolts). If bushings are worn, replace them now. <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/swaybarmount.jpg
#  Disconnect the emergency brake cables from the calipers and main cable. <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/ebrake.jpg  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/ebrakebracket.jpg
#  Disconnect the emergency brake cables from the calipers and main cable. <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/ebrake.jpg  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/ebrakebracket.jpg
#  Remove the lower bolt for the shock absorber. <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/shock.jpg
#  Remove the lower bolt for the shock absorber. <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/shock.jpg
#  Remove the 2 bolts holding the shock absorber mount to the control arm. This will give you better access to the CV Axle to stub axle bolts (6 on non-turbo cars, 4 on turbo cars). <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/lowershockmount.jpg
#  Remove the 2 bolts holding the shock absorber mount to the control arm. This will give you better access to the CV Axle to stub axle bolts (6 on non-turbo cars, 4 on turbo cars). <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/lowershockmount.jpg
# Now remove the CV axle to stub axle bolts at the control arm (4 on turbo models and 6 on non-turbo models).
# Now remove the CV axle to stub axle bolts at the control arm (4 on turbo models and 6 on non-turbo models).
# Remove the CV axles from the differential carrier.
# Remove the CV axles from the differential carrier.
#  Remove the rear control arms from the cross member:
#  Remove the rear control arms from the cross member:


#*  Each side has one regular bolt/nut and one eccentric bolt/nut. <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/outercontrolarmbolt.jpg
#*  Each side has one regular bolt/nut and one eccentric bolt/nut. <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/outercontrolarmbolt.jpg
#*  Mark the eccentric bolt position with a paint pen before removal for alignment. <br />  https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/innercontrolarmbolt.jpg
#*  Mark the eccentric bolt position with a paint pen before removal for alignment. <br />  https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/innercontrolarmbolt.jpg
#*  Torque spec: 72–87 ft-lbs
#*  Torque spec: 72–87 ft-lbs


Line 67: Line 67:
Now comes the fun part—playing with fire!
Now comes the fun part—playing with fire!


https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/Rearcontrolarm.jpg
https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/Rearcontrolarm.jpg


Take the control arm to a safe location where you can burn out the old control arm bushings. This is necessary because you’ll be reusing the metal sleeves that are already inside the current bushings.
Take the control arm to a safe location where you can burn out the old control arm bushings. This is necessary because you’ll be reusing the metal sleeves that are already inside the current bushings.
Line 73: Line 73:
What I usually do is heat the bushings until they start to “pop” and you can see red inside the rubber. Then, use an old screwdriver or punch to push on the rubber, exposing more and more of the sleeves until the center sleeve comes out of the bushing.
What I usually do is heat the bushings until they start to “pop” and you can see red inside the rubber. Then, use an old screwdriver or punch to push on the rubber, exposing more and more of the sleeves until the center sleeve comes out of the bushing.


https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/oldbushing.jpg
https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/oldbushing.jpg


Once the center sleeve comes out, keep pressing the rubber out as much as you can—this will make the next cleaning step much easier.
Once the center sleeve comes out, keep pressing the rubber out as much as you can—this will make the next cleaning step much easier.
Line 79: Line 79:
When most of the rubber is gone, use your wire wheel to clean the inner sleeve so there is no more rubber on it. Do the same for the outer sleeve that is still in the control arm.
When most of the rubber is gone, use your wire wheel to clean the inner sleeve so there is no more rubber on it. Do the same for the outer sleeve that is still in the control arm.


https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/bushingremoved.jpg
https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/bushingremoved.jpg


== Bushing Installation ==
== Bushing Installation ==
Line 85: Line 85:
Now you can take the cleaned control arm and new bushings over to a vice and start to press them into the control arm with the inner sleeve in place.  '''Tip:''' Make sure to use plenty of the included grease during this step! It makes installation much easier and prevents the bushings from squeaking while driving.
Now you can take the cleaned control arm and new bushings over to a vice and start to press them into the control arm with the inner sleeve in place.  '''Tip:''' Make sure to use plenty of the included grease during this step! It makes installation much easier and prevents the bushings from squeaking while driving.


https://dev.z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/robert_caldwell_bushings.jpg
https://z31library.com/xenonzcar_archive/z31/images/Rear_Suspension/robert_caldwell_bushings.jpg


Once the new bushings are pressed in, reassemble the control arm and repeat the process for the other side.
Once the new bushings are pressed in, reassemble the control arm and repeat the process for the other side.

Latest revision as of 22:55, 20 October 2026

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Z31 Rear Control Arm Bushing Upgrade[edit]

  • WARNING* - Do this modification at your own risk. We Are not responsable for any issues of your own doing.

Parts Needed[edit]

Bushing Kit Shopping Tips

Complete Bushing Kit: If you want to replace all the bushings on your Z31, you can purchase the complete kit. Note: Crossmember bushings are not included and are sold separately.

Rear End Rebuild Kit: For those focusing on the rear, you can buy just the rear kit to upgrade all the rear bushings.

Crossmember Bushings: These are available separately, but buying individually is usually more expensive.

Tools Needed[edit]

  • 13mm Wrench
  • 14mm Wrench
  • 17mm Wrench
  • 19mm Wrench
  • 12mm Socket
  • 13mm Socket
  • 14mm Socket
  • 15mm Socket
  • 17mm Socket
  • 22mm Socket
  • Ratchet
  • Prybar
  • Press or Vice
  • Dead Blow Hammer
  • Jack and Jackstands
  • Torch
  • Wire wheel and brush

Procedure[edit]

Control Arm Removal[edit]

  1. Jack the car up and secure on jack stands.
  2. Pull the wheels off the rear.
  3. Remove the brake lines from the control arm to the hard line on each side.
  4. Remove the rear sway bar (4 bolts). If bushings are worn, replace them now.
    swaybarmount.jpg
  5. Disconnect the emergency brake cables from the calipers and main cable.
    ebrake.jpg ebrakebracket.jpg
  6. Remove the lower bolt for the shock absorber.
    shock.jpg
  7. Remove the 2 bolts holding the shock absorber mount to the control arm. This will give you better access to the CV Axle to stub axle bolts (6 on non-turbo cars, 4 on turbo cars).
    lowershockmount.jpg
  8. Now remove the CV axle to stub axle bolts at the control arm (4 on turbo models and 6 on non-turbo models).
  9. Remove the CV axles from the differential carrier.
  10. Remove the rear control arms from the cross member:
    • Each side has one regular bolt/nut and one eccentric bolt/nut.
      outercontrolarmbolt.jpg
    • Mark the eccentric bolt position with a paint pen before removal for alignment.
      innercontrolarmbolt.jpg
    • Torque spec: 72–87 ft-lbs

Bushing Removal[edit]

Now comes the fun part—playing with fire!

Rearcontrolarm.jpg

Take the control arm to a safe location where you can burn out the old control arm bushings. This is necessary because you’ll be reusing the metal sleeves that are already inside the current bushings.

What I usually do is heat the bushings until they start to “pop” and you can see red inside the rubber. Then, use an old screwdriver or punch to push on the rubber, exposing more and more of the sleeves until the center sleeve comes out of the bushing.

oldbushing.jpg

Once the center sleeve comes out, keep pressing the rubber out as much as you can—this will make the next cleaning step much easier.

When most of the rubber is gone, use your wire wheel to clean the inner sleeve so there is no more rubber on it. Do the same for the outer sleeve that is still in the control arm.

bushingremoved.jpg

Bushing Installation[edit]

Now you can take the cleaned control arm and new bushings over to a vice and start to press them into the control arm with the inner sleeve in place. Tip: Make sure to use plenty of the included grease during this step! It makes installation much easier and prevents the bushings from squeaking while driving.

robert_caldwell_bushings.jpg

Once the new bushings are pressed in, reassemble the control arm and repeat the process for the other side.

Sources Used[edit]