C2 strut rod bushing replacement

[Joe R.]

I just finished replacing the bushings in my original C2 (small diameter) strut rods, but I have a couple concerns about the end result.

I bought the replacement bushings from Paragon. Unlike the original bushings that were molded in place, the Paragon replacements have an outer steel sleeve to facilitate installation. The end result has two differences from the original design:

1) The cross section of rubber that is placed in torsion when the wheel moves up and down is much smaller than the original. I'm not sure that this small cross section can withstand the necessary degree of movement without tearing.

2) Unlike the original design, the replacement rubber does not have a "flange" that extends out over the edge of the opening in the strut rod. I'm wondering whether this will allow the installed strut rod to move laterally on the inner steel liner. I'm also wondering whether the visible difference in the rubber will result in a deduction during judging.

I'd like to hear from people who have used this style of replacement bushing. Do these bushing work out okay? Do they judge okay?

Lastly, I'd like to know if the polyurethane replacement bushings have an appearance that is more similar to the original, since polyurethane bushings probably don't need the outer steel sleeve for installation. I can imagine that the polyurethane bushings might even have the outer "flange," depending on how they are designed to work.

[John H.]

Re: C2 strut rod bushing replacement

Joe -

As I recall, the GM replacement bushings had the outer steel sleeve; that's probably what you have, and they'll work fine - there's far less torsional deflection in the strut rod bushings than there is in the front control arm bushings.

Lack of a flange isn't a functional issue; the outer sleeve may result in a minor deduction, as the originals didn't have the sleeve.

Haven't looked at the poly bushings for this application up close.

[Rob A.]

Re: C2 strut rod bushing replacement

If you trim and round the edges of the poly bushings, which come in two halves and insert from each side, after they are installed they look very much, (or at least more than the replacement type) the originals that are molded right into the strut. If you have a strut that still has the original bushing you can copy the look very closely this way.