2014 (T6511) aluminum strength for automotive application (w/ pics)

[lferrante]

Hello,

As part of a project to replace the worn rubber bushings with polygraphite in the front lower control arms of my vehicle I had to duplicate the inner bushing sleeves because the original bolts were seized.

The new sleeves were created out of 2014 aluminum.
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalo...s/aluminfo.php

Alloy 6061
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6061_aluminium_alloy

I don't know anything about metals. Are 2014 and T-6511 the same thing?

Here are some picture of the original sleeves which were made from steel and aluminum. The duplicates I had made are both aluminum and I was wondering if anyone had any input on using aluminum over steel. (downsides?) My duplicates are very hard and I've had them in my car for a couple hundred miles without isssue.

Left to right:
Front original steel sleeve, my aluminum duplicate, rear original aluminum, and my aluminum duplicate.

[Cmailco]

Well, I don't know how much trust I'd have for an aluminum sleeve in a highly stressed/cycled area like this. Though, I know of a couple of kits for the Corvette using hard-anodized aluminum sleeves in polyurethane bushings. For me, I'd want a steel sleeve but that's because I don't have much trust for aluminum in long-term usage like that.

Your call but... why not just buy new sleeves?

[lferrante]

Hello and thank you for your input.

Replacement sleeves are not available from the dealership or from an aftermarket supplier like NAPA, AutoZone etc.

As you mentioned with the Corvette, these are surrounded by a thick polygraphite bushing so they do not have any direct contact with the subframe mounts. Also, the original factory design has the forward bolt passing through an aluminum sleeve. Only the rearward bolt is in a steel sleeve. The photo shown is the bushing.



Here is an example of how the original bolt is seized to the steel sleeve (image from a clublexus.com user)



I didn't mention before that the reason these were made is because the orginal steel sleeve becomes rusted to the bolt and needs to be cut in half with a gas cutting torch.

[Cmailco]

Well that explains it then.

I hate to say "yes" because I honestly don't know how they'd hold up long-term, but if other kits are using a hard-anodized aluminum sleeve, it's obviously not that bad an idea. I probably would have opted for 7075 or 2024-T6!