You can keep the control arms and just replace just the bushings. Hopefully you didn't get rid of them completely. I let mine go to the scrap yard and wish I didn't because it seems like the stiffer (than stock) bushings are the way to go.Nope. All bushings and ball joints were ruined so I dumped both. I was just gonna get new whole parts
Control Arm Bushing MOOG K201285 was $68 for me. It is a solid heim joint like the OTTP part, but cheaper.You can keep the control arms and just replace just the bushings. Hopefully you didn't get rid of them completely. I let mine go to the scrap yard and wish I didn't because it seems like the stiffer (than stock) bushings are the way to go.
https://www.overthetopperformance.com/Spherical-Control-Arm-Bushings_p_76.html
https://zzperformance.com/collections/ecotec/products/solid-control-arm-bushings
https://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/7244
I guess I didn't phrase it well. I meant that rebuilding them is an option.Nope. All bushings and ball joints were ruined so I dumped both. I was just gonna get new whole parts
The ball joint is really where most of the heartburn is introduced, and a new control arm makes the most sense if it's in rough shape. The rest are relatively easy to swap without the need to buy a new control arm.Is running the stock bushing a problem for SS/TC? Mine are in decent shape and I wasnt planning to replace.
There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.Steel ones (FE1) will fit on any LS, 2005-2007 SS/NA or SS/SC. Aluminum (FE3) also came on 05-07 SS's, but you can use steel ones instead. 2008-2010 SS/TC donors have FE5, and both the ball joint on the control arms and where the steering knuckles meet them are slightly larger. You cannot mix FE1/FE3 control arms with FE5 knuckles, nor can you mix FE5 control arms with FE1/FE3 knuckles. You can, however, use FE1/FE3 control arms and FE1/FE3 knuckles, even if your donor is a SS/TC (this is what I am doing).
Hopefully none of the above is wrong!.... but this is what I am almost certain is correct. Someone, please advise if I've missed something.
The FE5 RPO code was used for all model years, but was revised for 2008 because the SS/TC used a revised knuckle. I've posted about the applicability of the suspension RPO codes to specific donors previously.There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.
My 06 SS/sc is the same. FE5 on RPO code with steel control arms stock. The aluminum ones fit perfect. I even mic’d the ball joint to confirm size.There are actually some FE5 SS/SC cars out there... I have one of them from 2006. Aluminum, fits the standard 2006 SS/SC knuckles, would be swappable to the FE3/FE1 from early models if I wanted. Trunk code definitely shows FE5. I'm not sure how rare this combo is, the car history on my donor started in the GM testing area of Michigan for a couple thousand miles before being sold into South Carolina.