rx1900
1981 X1/9
Yes..there is a good reason the OE type rubber bushings are one piece. You have to understand just how the bushing functions in this application.Question: Is there a reason that the rubber ones are 1-piece and the poly ones are 2-piece? Installation is so much easier for a 2-piece.
In essence....the OE rubber bushing becomes bonded - by its tight press fit - into both the control arm and that steel sleeve. And motion...as the arm pivots up and down...is accommodated only by twisting of the rubber bit. There is NO motion between the rubber and the steel sleeve, or between the rubber bushing and the control arm. ONLY the internal flexing of the rubber !! Thus nothing to wear out....and no slop...
On the other hand....on the multi-piece poly bushings for this application...movement of the control arm is accommodated instead by the poly bits rotating against the steel sleeve and also the control arm. This of course...leads to wear and slop in short order....as you found out...And not only that....the control arm not only rotates as it goes up and down...it also moves in an arc front to back as the suspension moves, due to the geometry of the radius rod. That of course just also destroys a poly bushing in short order. The OE type rubber bushing accommodates the twisting of course by its design.
Many, many times here on this forum...we have seen early failure of those poly bushings. I'm surprised they lasted this long for you. Likely...they were worn out long ago and you just didn't notice..
In short...they are a really bad idea. Certainly not an upgrade. Don't believe me ?...just do a search for "poly bushings" on the search function on this forum. Many respected members here - like Steve H and Steve C - all agree with me. Ever notice Matt doesn't sell them - gee I wonder why ? Yeah....a certain member here continues to insist they are the greatest thing since sliced bread...believe who you may.....
The OE spec rubber one piece bushings are quite firm...and highly durable. Proper control and compliance. The Fiat engineers knew what they were doing...
Yeah....a really bad idea....Bad idea to cut rubber ones down middle to install easier?
I'm also tempted to buy whole control arms, but for the price... A lot of extra dough for some steel and a ball joint. I only paid $50 each for MOOG replacements on my daily van.
No reason at all to buy new control arms....well as long as the ball joint portion has no play. Install a new inner bushing for few bucks. And yank the boot off the ball joint part...clean out all the old hardened grease...work in some new premium grease...install a new boot...and good as new !!