Control Arms - Flex Joints vs Rubber

[Scruf]

I'm seriously considering the Rusty's 2" lift, which includes adjustable front lower control arms. At one end, you have a choice between their flex joint or a rubber bushing.

Since my vehicle is a DD and won't be used for hard off-roading, I'm leaning towards the rubber bushing. My concern with the flex joint is that it may transmit more NVH into the cab. Also, not sure how long the flex joints normally last. They sell replacement races for cheap, and the rebuild looks pretty simple. So I'm not too worried about that, so long as it's not something I've got to do every 10k miles.

For those with aftermarket front LCA's, what style joint did you go with? For those with a flex joint, did you notice an increase in NVH?

Some years back, I installed rear control arms with heim joints in a Mustang. Granted, they were at both ends of the control arm (so no rubber at all), but wow did they transmit a lot of noise. It was like listening to the rear axle with a stethoscope. I swore I'd never do that again.

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[TJDave]

I hope Rusty's arms have improved since my early TJ days. I bought all 8 adjustable control arms. They squeaked and creaked from day one. After a year, the Flex joint side became loose on two arms. They sent me their new and improved Delron fix it kit. Before I tore into them to fix the Flex joints, the rubber bushing ends were cracking and falling apart. Worked great for throttle controlled lane changes!
I got rid of of them and bought a set of Currie control arms with real Johnny Joint ends. Tight and silent for many many years of wheeling the TJ, before I sold it to get the Gladiator.
I sure hope his stuff has improved, but none of it is going on my Gladiator.

 

[sass JT]

I’m a fan of metalcloaks duroflex bushing on their arms.

https://metalcloak.com/control-arms-jl-wrangler-lower-front.html

 

[TTEChris]

I’m a fan of metalcloaks duroflex bushing on their arms.

https://metalcloak.com/control-arms-jl-wrangler-lower-front.html

Same here. The best of both worlds IMO.

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