I have been reading forums and watching youtube for 2 weeks about control arms and replacing bushings. 94 XJ in signature with 4" lift and hopefully enclosed are 3 pics showing gap on lower front arm, arm mounted on Jeep, and arm in vise with end on right is toward front of Jeep.

I have stock front upper arms and the after market lower arms.

1. Is there suppose to be a gap between bracket and side of arm like in pic?
2. Is it ok to use stock upper arms and after market lower arms?
3. Is 16 1/4" center hole to center hole right distance on lower arm with 4" lift?
4. Will any bushings work on the aftermarket arms?
5. Plan is to get O'reilly Master Pro bushings as I read they are the same as Moog??

 

are those rustys fixed arms?If so factory bushings are the replacements

 

I have no idea what make they are, I just bought the Jeep a couple of weeks ago.

 

look at your coils if rustys they should be stamped R4.5 but that don't mean its all rustys though . The bushings look like factory to me.

 

1. Is there suppose to be a gap between bracket and side of arm like in pic?

Not ideal but it's not hurting anything. Bushing is shot.

2. Is it ok to use stock upper arms and after market lower arms?

As long as your caster angle is correct, sure.

3. Is 16 1/4" center hole to center hole right distance on lower arm with 4" lift?

Depends on what your caster angle is set at and how it drives.

4. Will any bushings work on the aftermarket arms?

No, OEM bushings fit those arms (As has been mentioned.)

5. Plan is to get O'reilly Master Pro bushings as I read they are the same as Moog??

They're OK. I'd spend the extra few bucks on Moog, though.

 

I emailed 3 manufacturers and all responded except Rustys and I think the arms are made by them so according to the info I dug up the length is a good starting point and yes they do use OEM bushings so thanks!

I read a post someplace that the O'reilly and Moog bushings are exactly the same ones made in Mexico and when pulled from the box are stamped the same. So I will do some more checking.

Now when I get the death wobble fixed I will hopefully find out why it won't start when warmed up.

 

Moog makes the masterpro parts for O'Reillys but are not the same. Spend the few extra on moog.

 

Got the Moog bushings with the metal sleeve and the sleeve is wider than the opening in the control arm so there is no way it will go in. Do I need to buy bushings w/o the sleeve to go into these after market lower arms?

Also tried to press out the old bushing with ball joint tool from Autozone and it would not budge. Got the uppers changed out ok with a few choice words but no go on the lowers.

 

Rustys arms have a metal lip on one side same as factory .

 

Rusty coils are also black yours are silver forgot whos coils are silver ?

 

RE and Rough Country

 

Have you look her and compaired....http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kits...tID=10107&pg=2

 

I have Rough Country's and they look identical to these. Control arms, shocks and springs all look the same.

 

I have looked at every website that I can think of trying to see what I have and most just say they use OEM bushings, and stupid me thought that meant the bushings with the metal sleeve.

So do I buy bushings that don't have the metal sleeve? How do I get the old bushing out? I watched a bunch of youtube on this and one guy used a cutting torch to heat them up but if I did that then how do I get the new ones in?

 

Unless the control arm uses a 'joint' it should use the Clevite type bushings that are in the sleeve/can.
In your first post pic 3, it appears the arms use the clevite bushing with can. The lip on one side of can is turned outward. Same with picture in post #9.

Getting them out, a press works best. Otherwise, drill holes through rubber around sleeve until sleeve comes out. Then use a punch and hammer on the edge of can to collapse it a small amount, then it should knock out.