[robncar]

Originally Posted by DKremers

from the business point a of view its best to keep people happy but the warranty on labor is if they messed up the installation. obviously they didn't install it wrong, the part itself was bad. RE should be covering the cost of the labor and the parts.

4wparts must have done a cost analysis that replacing all the bushings on bad RE lifts for free was more than the lost revenue from a pissed off customer on average.

How do we know they didn't install it wrong? If they performed the final torque up on the rack with the wheels off the ground, they introduced a preload on the bushings.

I learned the 4WP lesson after a couple of bad experiences.

[catalog]

Originally Posted by lumpster

So your saying its a poor design? Maybe RE needs to fix the problem, because factory bushing last a long time and they are rubber.

No I am saying for the demands that we put on these bushing you should be happy they are cheap. Rubber is a better product for this use but the aftermarket, catalog, bolt on buyers will not buy a product unless it is urethane cause they read and believe the hype about how great it is. IN ACTUALITY urethane is a good product for suspensions that do not make or need much range of motion : IE sport cars, but they require more attention than say....... a stock rubber bushing.

So they are a poor design I agree, but because of the consumer market RE goes after they almost have to use them. Be happy they are cheap to replace when you do need them replaced.

Been running RE long arms with urethane bushings in both of our jeeps going on 3 years. wheel em hard and mine are still good.

[catalog]

Originally Posted by pachary

OK,

Documented fact: RE superflex bushings have been crap for a couple of years now. They knew it.

Out of curiosity do you know where this document can be viewed?

[Boundless]

A GOOD service and parts facility needs to stand behind, not only what they do (labor) but also, the parts they choose to sell. If you knowingly sell and install faulty or defective parts then you will lose “Customers for Life”.
Even if 4WP did not know the parts would fail, they should not expect to learn, what parts to sell or not, at the expense of their customer.
But what should I know I’m only a “has been” once at the top with Lexus/Toyota and MB. My “Win Win Win” motto has always been “Take care of your employees so they can take care of the customers who in return will take care of the business”.

[F9K9]

I can't believe that this thread is only 3 pages long. It's not like there were not enough warning signs out there! Unless someone has been in a situation where they could not perform a simple internet search. There is really is no excuse for going with RE CAs or anything else. Admittedly, they sure have some purdy glossy catalogs. Wheeling stock with a good club will yield tons of good info on what is out there and make the best bang for your dollar.

Don't take me wrong, I screwed up big time. The difference is, that I know better now and I search high and low before pulling the trigger on $1700.

[Jerry Bransford]

To bring this back down to earth, let's all remember this is only about a bad batch of bushings. To indict an entire long-respected company over a single bad small component is pretty silly. To me, most of the blame goes to 4WP by not fixing it at no cost to the customer and then going to RE to make it right. Like taking a bad TV back to Fry's for a problem-free refund and Fry's handling dealing with the manufacturer which is the job of a dealer as 4WP was here.

RE isn't blameless and they need to readdress their policy where the bad bushing is concerned but don't burn the house down because the kitchen drain is backed up.

[lumpster]

Its not a bad batch, They were having them made overseas. Then come to find out the company that was producing those rubber bushing were adding filler to increase profit. Over time the ammount of filler was increased until it had a detrimental effect on the bushing. RE found out about it, found a new manufacturer and resumed the production with the 4 dimpled bushings, which are now proving to be junk just like the cheap filler bushing before.


So in closing RE fiexed the problem, which did not fix the problem.

It wasnt just a bad batch.

[F9K9]

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

To bring this back down to earth, let's all remember this is only about a bad batch of bushings......

Point taken and I apologize.

[Imped]

This makes me glad I did some homework and went with Currie joints.

[GOLENJEEPTJ]

Originally Posted by robncar

How do we know they didn't install it wrong? If they performed the final torque up on the rack with the wheels off the ground, they introduced a preload on the bushings.

I learned the 4WP lesson after a couple of bad experiences.

Got to back this statement and Jerry's!

[spdnjoe]

Have you called 4wp corporate in Compton, Ca ? Corporate - (310) 900-5500
Have you called them to find out what their warranty is on their installed suspensions ?
I apologize if you've already done this, just throwing some ideas out there.

[N2SPD]

My jeep sat on jack stands for a month waiting on new bushings. Mine cracked after 500 miles with no offroad use and when took it out on Fourth of July they all crumbled. The new ones are holding up so far.

[glockster]

The new bushings have been flawless for me.

I will add one thing however. I've noticed a tendency that many failures seem to be attributable to the longer 4.5" RE springs on short arms, as opposed to the 3.5" springs. I have nothing to document this but...................... I'm just sayin'.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have had none.

[miguelitojeep97]

I am wondering if my issue with the *new style bushings are due to my rear detroit locker? I understand there is a lot of forces going on back there, but I don't understand why they are splitting so quickly. I feel bad for RE because they will probably loose a lot of customers due to this issue, although I dont doubt them solving the problem and regaining the popularity of their off-roading customers.


*i for one am driving with 6 shot RE bushings. I cant afford new bushings, and this is my daily driver. 2 of these bushings are the "new" style bushing with the 4 marks on the side. Can't wait to scrap this junk

[glockster]

Miguel I notice your on the 4.5" springs........I just wonder.

Sorry to hear of your problems. Gotta really suck on your DD.