I got sick of the squeaking years ago and decided I was going to try to
figure out why these upper bushings had such a short life.  What I found was
that no matter who manufactured the parts, the seal on the outside (where
the plastic meets the outer metal shell) always failed.  I cut open a few of
my failed bushings and always found rust damage and washed-out lubricant.
When walking through the plumbing dept. at Home Depot, I had an idea.   Each
of my upper control arm bushings is now enclosed in a black rubber (or
vinyl) pipe cap that I think are used to close up sewer pipes no longer
being used.   I found one diameter that was perfect to fit snugly around the
outside of the bushing.  You'll have shorten the cap a little so that it
will just butt up against the control arm.  Surround with a stainless hose
clamp, tighten down, and no more water damaged bushings.  I haven't heard
that stupid squeak in almost 3 years now.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Renz" <eucasafari@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:25 PM
Subject: front suspension rebuilding (squeak squeak)

> so its time to do the upper control arm bushings, at least on the pass
> side anyway.
> I can't turn the radio up loud enough to drown the noise out anymore.
>
> I know I need to do the Upper ball joints as well, but what else should
> be done at the same time, if it saves in labor from having to pull it
> all apart again later?
>
> I want to have all the parts on hand when I take her in, since I can
> source them so much cheaper than the local shop (and they dont mind.)
>
> It looks like about $25 a pop for the upper control arm bushings, and 2
> per side, so thats $100 bones right there. blech.