Rear control arm...

[Dean Bredenbeck]

Have '91 200-20V with 140K miles, Bilsteins and extra stiff lowering
springs(H&R 29771's). Car has not been tracked but might do a driver's
school in the future. For several months been hearing the standard
complaints from rear control arms and have the driver's side rear
control arm off now. Inner bushing looks ok (planning to replace
anyhow), front bushings (two 443-511-247D's inside of 3 bolt hole
bracket) are very deformed and washer on control arm side of bushing
shows evidence of metal-to-metal  contact/movement. I'm assuming the
front bushing wear is standard old age with flex in old inner bushing
probably contributing to front bushing wear.

So.....a few questions:

Already have OEM inner bushings and am planning to order OEM
replacements for front bushings. Are there higher performance (yet cost
effective) substitutes for the rear control arm rubber stuff that
anyone's had success with?  Or,  is this a non-issue in overall vehicle
performance/longevity?

Plenty of rubber components back there. Any others (including non-rubber
stuff) I should replace while I'm at it?(insert "fat wallet" comments
here:_________________)

Any comments on re-using bushing related fasteners (after cleaning of
course) and is "blue" loctite a sufficient threadlock for this application?


Sorry for the long post. Couldn't find a comprehensive discussion on
this in Chris Miller's or Scott Mockry's sites or in the list archives.
Thanks .......Dean


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Dean Bredenbeck
1991 200 20V TQW Tornado Red
Cleveland, Ohio