Daystar Poly Control Arm Bushing Review kt03012bk

The bushings and supplied hardware are of nice quality, but there is a glaring error with this kit.

Specifically the LCA bushings.


The OEM bushings have captive washers via a press fit. I know what you are thinking, "Ill just scavenge the old washers and use them".

Well not exactly.

The supplied Daystar sleeves have a larger O/D than OEM, and they measure the the exact width of the OEM bushing+washer combo.

So even if the old washers fit (they don't) the overall width of the bushing/washer assembly would be wider by the thickness of the washer on each side.

The captive washer is an important design feature. Without it you would be relying on the surface area of the end of the sleeve to provide clamping pressure to hold the alignment. Whereas with the captive washer you have greatly increased surface area.

TLDR: If you don't want to fix these issues with your install stop here. Buy OEM or Siberian or something that's not fundamentally broken.



The fix

Plasma cut some washers out of 3/16 material.

Cleanup and grind to correct thickness. I needed each washer to be .15 for a total of .30


"bUt JaKejAkE tHeY'rE nOt cApTiVe"


I did weld on the other side before installing the assembly into the control arms. Goofed on the pictures. 1/32 tungsten at 100ish amps. Hot and Fast. Weld 2-3 dabs and dunk in a cup of water. No bushings were harmed in this silly endeavor.

Ready to install

In place.

Im interested to see what others have done for their installation. I know we have a couple of guys running these. Maybe I went a little deep here.

 

Maybe a silly question, but why didn't you opt for Siberian or Oem? Under the clock and going with what you have? The end result looks good.

 

I purchased the bushing kit over a year ago with the intention of doing a review for the forum. It was puzzling to me that guys were buying complete control arms rather than just doing the bushings, a common task in the automotive world.

The Daystar bushings are great, but the lack of proper hardware not so much. Also I'm well out of the return window by now so why not make em' work.

Assuming the poly Daystar bushings last, I would do it all over again. I do not recomend them if somebody isn't willing/able to fix the hardware.

 

I gotcha. That makes sense and is good to know. I'm not familiar with Daystar bushings so I wasn't sure what the appeal was. I'm reluctant to admit but I've been one of those people before.
Hopefully Daystar can take your notes and incorporate them.

 

Or maybe JakeJake fab fab offers a kit of daystar bushings with corrected hardware

Everyone buys complete assembly's because there isn't a great bushing only option.

The OEM's are the most expensive (and a really quality product) Buut the install is difficult if not impossible without a shop press.

The Siberians look to me like OEM polyurethane clones. They also require a press, and they also have to be smuggled out of the eastern bloc and you pay import fees.

The Daystar bushings just whack into the OEM sleeve with a rubber mallet. I guess the melting out of the stock bushing is a downside, but it's very easy and anyone capable of an oil change could pull it off.

I'm rambling at this point, gotta go finish some suspension!

 

That first option might be the ticket after seeing the quality of what you did. Ya I don't have a press but I'm hoping to not have to replace mine for a bit. Fingers crossed.
Can't wait to see the finished product. Progress on the front end looks good so far.

 

I've referenced it a couple of times now, one of my VAG/BMW friends who raced, doing the bushings on one of his German rides. Same deal, had to melt the old out.

Never again. If someone tells me you've got to melt bushings out or use specialty equipment, I'm replacing the arm. Not only does that shit smell noxious, the smell sticks to everything, but what's worse, the rubber sticks to everything. We did those bushings 16 years ago now. I drove by his house the other day, he moved to out almost 12 years ago now ... the rubber melt stains are STILL on his old driveway.

No thanks. But props to you for getting it done!

 

hey, for real though, if I order some, can I ship them to you and send some $$ for FabFab washers?

 

Yeah, hit my inbox and we can get something worked out.

 

You're metal work is stellar. Any tips on what to buy to start practicing and being able to do this? Have only bee using a 110V MIG at this point. Been watching some TIG/Plasma videos. TiG and plasma cutter tool recommendations? TIA.

 

Thanks dude! Always learning.

Think about picking up a multiprocess machine that'll do mig/tig/stick. They all have a good use, and the skills bleed over from one process to another. Other than that its practice practice practice. There are a ton of good YouTube channels, but I always recommend Jody Collier at WeldingTips and Tricks YouTube Chanel and on instagram.

 

Got one you think is good?

And are you freehanding those washers?

 

My tig unit is an Everlast I've had for over 10 years. It does tig/stick/plasma, though its only used for tig these days. 10+ years old and still has more features than ill ever use.
Any of the major 2nd tier brands will suit you fine. Read the reviews and do your homework.

The plasma parts are cut with a hypertherm powermax 45xp on a 4'x8' CNC plasma table.

 

Thought you might say it needed a computerized table with high cost and large space needed in the shop. But sure would be nice to make some precision custom parts.

 

If you know cad/ are willing to learn a service like
https://sendcutsend.com
or
https://www.xometry.com
Can be very affordable.

 

Hello gentlemen

I am currently in the process of installing this kit. Hindsight being what it is I should have gone another route but I am committed and want to see it through. I haven’t gotten to the lower control arms just yet. I am working on the upppers right now. So I pressed in the bushing with a vice, with plenty of grease of course, then I pressed in the sleeve and it says to press the sleeve “until flush with ends” however that sleeve is not the full length of the bushing it is short on one end. I am pretty sure I am using the correct sleeve since the others are larger for the lower control arms. Did any of you run into this problem? It’s too early to go snap a photo I will add one later. Also @JakeJake are your services available for a set of those washers? I was thinking maybe I can go to a local hardware store and find some replacement washers to use. Or drill out the original washer to the size needed.

 

This was more of a because I can kinda thing, not because it's a good Idea and makes sense.Shop rate + shipping will cost you about $75

You'll only be in for little more money and lot less time if you just source different bushings (Oem or Siberian)

While the daystar kit changes the clamping forces on the lower bushings, i'm curious what the intended installation looks like and if it is sufficient for the loads at play. Could be just fine. Might be worth an email or phone call to ask some questions, and that may help you get a refund if you ultimately decide to go that route.

 

Yeah it’s definitely because I can, just trying to learn and grow my skills and experience on my vehicles.

I did call daystar, like you said, and their technician said the sleeve being short is fine as long as it’s flush on the other end. He suggested OE torque specs. As for the LBJ the washer that the daystar kit comes with, should replace the outer washer from the OE hardware. There is no need to use any of the original hardware when referring to the OE sleeve and pressed washers.

 

Everlast* is also who made my plasma. Was a quality unit considering I paid about 75% less than big red or big blue was charging at the time. I cut through a gaggle of stuff with that. Helped a number of friends make burn barrels and other fun stuff. Notched and bagged quite a few trucks with it.

 

So I have a 4th gen 4runner and I replaced the LCA bushings with energy suspension polys. The instruction said to reuse the captive washers and sleeve. Basically carefully take one side of the washer off, burn the rubber, and put the poly on it, put the washer back on and flare it back out.

that being said, I'm curious if the OD of the OEM sleeve is the same as the daystar sleeve..

I just bought a 1st gen sequoia and disappointed that energy suspension doesn't make a set for it. So I'm looking at daystar.

 

Siberian bushings are the go to for that reason.

 

how hard is it to install? I don't have a press but if the bushing is superior then I can get one..

 

If you can get the old ones out, then getting the new ones in is easy. Each side is one piece and pushes in with a large c-clamp.