RoadGrater bushings....

[propagandaotter]

I was looking over your website and didn't find anything about replacement bushings. I've had the kit since last july-august, and have noticed that the bushings are getting sloppy. I tightened them down while they were in the ride height position originally, and then rechecked them after 20 miles, again at 100 miles, and every oil change after that i check the bolts... but they just don't seem to last. How much do these run a piece, and are they all the same size? Last 2 questions for now; do you offer any upgraded bushings, and what would you recommend the bolts be torqued down to, as your instructions make no mention of this.


M.

[propagandaotter]

ok.. so i found that the "part number ROD302 and they run 9.95", is this only applicable to the wishbone bushings, or are all of the bushings the same size? This might also be a stupid question, but what length is everybodies lower bars? I have a bearing howl, and I'm not sure if it's a wheel bearing, axle bearing, or the pinion bearing, and I'm trying to figure it out before it becomes a grinding noise.

Also... how the hell do I get rid of the horrible wheel hop? I know my dime had the hopshock from the factory, but at ride height if I gas it anywhere under 10 mph the rear end feels like it's about to come out from under me...

[zachmartin83]

ive had my roadgrater since last may and it doesnt get bad wheelhop? sometiems in the rain the wheels will spin and i wont even know their spinning except the rpms will go up alot.

[propagandaotter]

Maybe mine is setup wrong... what are the measurements on your lower bars?

[Juan@AirRideTech]

theres no real way to set it up wrong... I guess there could be a small chance there it is. the instructions and kit it self is pretty straight forward, do you have any pics you can e-mail or post. also what bushings are you haveing issues with?

[propagandaotter]

I'm sure mine is setup correctly, it really only goes on specific ways. The bushings on the top link (that connects between the gas tank x-member and the differential bracket) are pretty sloppy.

Also, what angle should my pinion be at, as I'm thinking that my pinion angle could be slightly off? How long should the bottom bars be, or a relatively close measurement? The truck is an 00 x cab... but, we're having an ice storm right now, so I'm not venturing out to take pics honestly, it looks identical to all the pictures on your website, and that everybody else here has done... so I think it's bolted in correctly, I just think i need to adjust it a little.

[Tony@AirRideTech]

One of the biggest reasons we see wheel hop in a Roadgrater or the AirBar systems is when they are flogged on and not at its proper ride height. You need to make sure that your rear airsprings are between 9-9.5" tall at ride height. At that point the geometry sould be correct on the four bar set up. The other things I have seen is out of round or out of balance tires that can cause wheel hop.... all the way down to clutch chatter. Unfortunately there are a number of things it could be, it just takes some time to figure out what it is. One more thing thing I would look at would be the condition of the shock you are running.

[propagandaotter]

I'm not sure on the exact measurements of the bag, I'll have to check that and see where i'm at at ride height.... but to answer your question, I'm running the shocks you provide in the kit. I suppose it could be a tire problem, but that seems unlikely as the problem occurs on 2 seperate sets of rims/tires. I will have to look into that option though.

So what torque should the link bar bolts be torqued down to? And what is a good overall length for the lower bar?

[Tony@AirRideTech]

Quote: Originally Posted by propagandaotter

I'm not sure on the exact measurements of the bag, I'll have to check that and see where i'm at at ride height.... but to answer your question, I'm running the shocks you provide in the kit. I suppose it could be a tire problem, but that seems unlikely as the problem occurs on 2 seperate sets of rims/tires. I will have to look into that option though.

So what torque should the link bar bolts be torqued down to? And what is a good overall length for the lower bar?

There is not going to be a specific tourque spec for that. Due to differences in nylock / bolt specs and the double shear mount tolerances... there would be a wide variable. They way you want to do those is first make sure the bars and rear end are at ride heght. Torque the bolt down until the mount ears make contact with the bushings center sleeve. From there, I will give it about a 1/2 turn and call it a day. At that point, you just want to make sure you have some bolt threads coming through the nylock nut and your done. If you re-use the nyocks more than a coouple of times.... replace them with another locking type nut.

[10Droped]

i have similar problems with mine ,the ass end of the truck walks over if your in the throttle and hit a bump

[propagandaotter]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tony@AirRideTech

There is not going to be a specific tourque spec for that. Due to differences in nylock / bolt specs and the double shear mount tolerances... there would be a wide variable. They way you want to do those is first make sure the bars and rear end are at ride heght. Torque the bolt down until the mount ears make contact with the bushings center sleeve. From there, I will give it about a 1/2 turn and call it a day. At that point, you just want to make sure you have some bolt threads coming through the nylock nut and your done. If you re-use the nyocks more than a coouple of times.... replace them with another locking type nut.

I'll go over everything again, and try to "reset" the bushing bolts, etc...

[propagandaotter]

So... by 9-9.5", do you mean between the airspring plates, or are you measuring the bellow only?

[topdragster5051]

so guys im re powdercoating all the bars I have a press will you sell me just the bushings?
if so how much for them all?

[FCKNLOW]

i need a bushing set too...theyre shitty.

[Juan@AirRideTech]

Quote: Originally Posted by FCKNLOW

i need a bushing set too...theyre shitty.

there not SHITTY same poly urethane bushing we use on our hot rods and shop trucks with no issues, one of our shop trucks has 150K bagged miles on it

[FCKNLOW]

well why are my bushing shot then? mine has like 5k max on them wtf?

[Juan@AirRideTech]

if you would like you can send them in and we will evaluate them... its hard to say with out seeing the product.... I had close to 60k on my roadgrater same bushings

[83blazerlaynframe]

biggest problem is everyone tightens them down when they are slammed. the bushing needs to be tightened down when the links are at ride height, to decrease the maximum deflection the bushing will have. its not like a normal urethane bushing where the inside sleeve will spin around, this one is in a fixed position and needs to be "adjusted" properly first.

[Juan@AirRideTech]

Quote: Originally Posted by 83blazerlaynframe

biggest problem is everyone tightens them down when they are slammed. the bushing needs to be tightened down when the links are at ride height, to decrease the maximum deflection the bushing will have. its not like a normal urethane bushing where the inside sleeve will spin around, this one is in a fixed position and needs to be "adjusted" properly first.

ding ding ding.... you nailed it!

[FCKNLOW]

i did that.....kinda hard to send them in without having another set to put in....truck is my daily currently....

[Prime]

Quote: Originally Posted by 83blazerlaynframe

biggest problem is everyone tightens them down when they are slammed. the bushing needs to be tightened down when the links are at ride height, to decrease the maximum deflection the bushing will have. its not like a normal urethane bushing where the inside sleeve will spin around, this one is in a fixed position and needs to be "adjusted" properly first.

That is how mine were done, tightened at ride height. So I am curious to see how long mine last. I have heard alot of people have this problem, I just hope I am not one of them. So far mine seem to be holding up ok, they have been on the truck for 7 months now *knocks on wood*.

[LXtasy]

Only bushing I have had problem with was the upper 3link one. But than again. When you "abuse" the product i.e. hit sides it tends to do that. My fault is why that one went out. But the others I have NO PROBLEM WITH!.

Only other problem is that one shock has leaked out. But then again. i have had that problem in NON BAGGED APPLICATIONS. SHit happens with shocks.

[topdragster5051]

A little trick.... if you are changing the bushings freeze them first for like 24 hours... it makes them shrink a tiny bit and they go in a little bit easier... i did mine like 3 weeks ago..

[samandjen1]

Quote: Originally Posted by LXtasy

Only bushing I have had problem with was the upper 3link one. But than again. When you "abuse" the product i.e. hit sides it tends to do that. My fault is why that one went out. But the others I have NO PROBLEM WITH!.

Only other problem is that one shock has leaked out. But then again. i have had that problem in NON BAGGED APPLICATIONS. SHit happens with shocks.

I only replaced the 1 upper 3 link one and on my 3rd set of shocks.(1st set leaked, 2nd set I bent removing the rear)

Other than that all is still good. 4 years and 75,000+ miles, I drive the truck everyday.

[FCKNLOW]

anybody got a part number for new bushings?

[marolf101x]

The upper bar uses:
Part #: ROD302
Located here: http://www.ridetech.com/products/Rub...t-1113-55.html