[dpevans]

Into the second year of tracking just replaced the front lower control arms. Easy to tell, leaks oil around the bushing. I wish I had the time to wait for SPL parts but had to go OEM for track days over the next week.

[nikerret]

How much track time do you have?

[carguy55]

I tracked mine heavily for 3+ years before replacing with the FEA (ZL1 1LE) ones that are not hydraulic PN's 84051643 (L), '44 (R). Eventually replaced the OEM bushing with SPL bushing.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=586653

[SpeZ]

I literally wanted to order new arms right now because I got slight play at the driver side wheel.

Just saw this topic and I have since last year this dark hydraulic fluid on the passenger side control arm. I had no clue and thought it was from the engine or coolant residue.
Anyway, I now luckily odered the FEA ones right away.

I noticed all the fluid last year with less than 11800 miles and maybe 4 hours total track time. This durability is a joke. (Suspension was completely untouched and stock at that time)

[N Camarolina]

I have about 32 track days on mine (5th year now), with 19K total miles (including off-track) and mine look fine. I wonder if it has anything to do with rumble strips/curbing, as I generally try to stay off of it and only kiss the edges.

How much of the rumble strip curbing are you guys with "early" bushing failure using?

[cdb95z28]

This has been a known issue for a while on the FE4 cars that are tracked. They'll give up faster with stickier tires. Just go with the ZLE forward (aka radius rod) arms. They are a solid rubber bushing and were/are cheaper than the FE4s. This was the first mod on my car. The FE4 are hydraulic bushings.

[SpeZ]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

How much of the rumble strip curbing are you guys with "early" bushing failure using?

Good mention here, but for me my passenger control arm leaked and the track where I only drive goes clockwise, so the rumble strips are on driver side at all times, except in one turn. Just for short time and sometimes the right wheels drive on the curb too.
But overall, I usually avoided them, but I have to admit theyre really rough.

[dpevans]

16k miles, have 12 track days so about 60-65 sessions and 8 auto cross days. When they start leaking it whacks out your alignment. Going for SPL parts this winter and will swap over everything next spring. Talking with a GM tech I auto cross with and he said this is a warranty item for the 1LE. I needed a quick repair and wanted both done so I did them myself. I also don't curb it hard but I do use the smooth ones. I have always thought of suspension as wear parts on track cars so it was expected.

[carguy55]

The issue with the SPL arms is they don't provide a way to attach the brake cooling ducts. Some people have found their own way to attach them or go without. I like running the CTS-V brake ducts for cooling for track so I went with the FEA arms with SPL bushings.

[dpevans]

Originally Posted by carguy55

The issue with the SPL arms is they don't provide a way to attach the brake cooling ducts. Some people have found their own way to attach them or go without. I like running the CTS-V brake ducts for cooling for track so I went with the FEA arms with SPL bushings.

Good point.

[N Camarolina]

Originally Posted by carguy55

The issue with the SPL arms is they don't provide a way to attach the brake cooling ducts. Some people have found their own way to attach them or go without. I like running the CTS-V brake ducts for cooling for track so I went with the FEA arms with SPL bushings.

I'm trying to learn here. Why the SPL bushings in the FEA arms rather than the OEM FEA bushings? How easy was it to swap out the bushings?

[SpeZ]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

I'm trying to learn here. Why the SPL bushings in the FEA arms rather than the OEM FEA bushings? How easy was it to swap out the bushings?

I'd say because the SPL arms have spherical bushings made out of steel for maximum stiffness. Definetly an upgrade. I doubt that the bang for the buck is worth. For myself, I will stick to the FEA for now.

[DeuceCam]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

This has been a known issue for a while on the FE4 cars that are tracked. They'll give up faster with stickier tires. Just go with the ZLE forward (aka radius rod) arms. They are a solid rubber bushing and were/are cheaper than the FE4s. This was the first mod on my car. The FE4 are hydraulic bushings.

Are the ZLE radius arms the same as the SS or does the ZLE have a harder durometer rubber?

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by DeuceCam

Are the ZLE radius arms the same as the SS or does the ZLE have a harder durometer rubber?

The FE4 cars (SS 1LE and ZL1), the regular SS (FE3) and the ZLE (FEA) all have different radius rods. The casting is the same but the bushings are all different.