Derlin Bushings

[Derickpete]

I just installed a Warrior beam, stock width. Using the stock spring packs that were in the old beam. When I installed the arms, the top spring is perfectly located in the beam but there is a 1/8” gap between the arm and the derlin bushings on both sides. The arms will not move inwards because the lock down bolt falls perfectly into the indentations on the springs. The gap between the the upper arm and the lower arm is 5mm and the knuckles are tight on both sides. My question is should I worry about this little gap? Is the normal for a aftermarket beam? Everything is tight and smooth throughout the suspension cycle. Thoughts?

[jsturtlebuggy]

In the past there were some of the aftermarket beams that used a Oring to seal end of beam to the trailing arm.
You could add Oring if you want to fill the gap.
There are several different types of Delrin beam bushings, SACO white ones, Blue ones, and the Grey ones, which ones are you using?
_________________
Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[Derickpete]

They are red. I believe they are EMPI bushings for the Warrior beam.

[jsturtlebuggy]

The red trailing arm bushings are made from Urethane, They are not Delrin.
The grease that you want to use to make them last and not break down is
Super Lube Synthetic Grease. It has PTFE (Teflon) in it. Regular wheel bearing/chassis lube grease causes the Urethane to break down.
Super Lube can be found in both small and large size for different grease guns, also available in 3 oz tubes.
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Joseph
Fair Oaks/Orangevale, CA
Elrod Motorsports
Motion Tire Motorsports
Having fun with Dune Buggies since 1970
Into Volkswagens since 1960

[ORANGECRUSHer]

To add to that, Super Lube is a silicone based grease which I understand to be the important factor for PU. There are not a lot of options to use anyway if you just search for silicone grease that comes in a grease gunable tube.

The oring idea to make up the gap is a good idea. I think I would rather have your problem than the opposite and not be able to reach the dimples with the grub screws. That would be my luck for sure!

But when you use these bushings you need to be prepared to modify them all to a certain degree to get them to fit right. I think the actual delrin type require a special sized reamer to get them to work correctly which is why I didn't go with those lol. I think they are better though. PU is pretty low maintenance but Delrin , IINM, is a plastic that's self lubricating.
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Brian H.

OrangeCrushERBerrien Warrior-2.4L Quad4-2x3 arms-1.5Fox coilovers-094-930CVs
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[Crogg]

I have the cheap red delrins myself. Definitely stay away from urathane. adding zert fittings to your beam would be smart? I am running the same setup on one of my bugs. My beam is 10 years old... quality is not what it used to be. I would cover the gap with some leather to keep dirt out.
As for reaming delrins... you dont need a special tool. I posted a way to get it done about a year ago.