I still have to do the other side...I'm not real motivated, but I'll get'r done.

1 minute ago, Captain Obvious said:

 There is no direct metal-to-metal contact between the strut housing and the control arm (with either the stock rubber bushing, or the PU aftermarket replacements). If you cut off that PU flange and replace with metal washers, you'll end up with metal-to-metal.

I'm sure that the rubber in the factory bushings deflects enough to allow metal to metal contact.  I found an image and pasted it as illustration.  The only thing holding that little gap open is the modulus of the rubber.  And that's not much.

The PU bushings probably started as good "upgrades" for certain bushings, making things stiffer and less compliant.  But many of the other applications just really aren't better than the factory bushings.  Put an eyeball on that factory bushing with the thin rubber between two steel sleeves and compare it mentally to the replacement PU piece.  I left my rear rubber in place, even though I had the PU as part of a kit.  Just couldn't see a benefit.

I did it with sandpaper

I wish I would have done that.  I ended up putting outward pressure on the transverse link, and then I wedge the strut in between.  It wasn't easy and I wasn't really excited about how it turned out.  Nice job.

MSA and Prothane both say that the outer sleeve is retained but the bushing looks like it's never gonna go in with the outer sleeve in.  Can someone verify?

You'd think MSA might offer a little more explanation after 18 years of the same issue.  And, apparently, many many people doing it 'wrong', by removing that outer sleeve.  

 

39 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

You'd think MSA might offer a little more explanation after 18 years of the same issue.  And, apparently, many many people doing it 'wrong', by removing that outer sleeve.  

 

Urethane Spindle Pin Bushing Kit, 70-78 240Z-260Z-280Z
	Quantity in Basket:none Code: 23-4180 Price:$39.95
	Quantity:
Description: Replacing your spindle pin bushings is a must when removing your spindle pins, especially if the pins have never been removed before. This urethane kit replaces the factory rubber washers and spindle pin bushings without replacing the inner control arm bushings. Sold as a complete set for both spindle pins only, see Related Items below for the complete rear control arm kit that includes these. Note: The outer metal sleeve of the factory rubber spindle pin bushing is retained for use with this kit. Urethane Spindle Pin Bushings are oversized and will require a press or vice to install. Please call with any questions prior to removing your stock spindle pin bushings. Model Guide: Datsun 240Z, 260Z, 280Z Code Guide: Datsun S30 Year Guide: 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978

Install instructions from Prothane.

Prothane.pdf

They kind of show a taper to get it started in their drawing.  Maybe that feature didn't make it to the actual part.

I'm not sure these guys know that their market is DIY guys.  And where do you get the "rubber burning" training to qualify as a specialist?

1 hour ago, Zed Head said:

They kind of show a taper to get it started in their drawing.  Maybe that feature didn't make it to the actual part.

 

No taper on these.

10 hours ago, Zed Head said:

I'm not sure these guys know that their market is DIY guys.  And where do you get the "rubber burning" training to qualify as a specialist?

I smell lawyers,  that makes hundreds of us members qualified specialists.  But they are right about Extremely Dangerous, the smoke from the rubber compound is nasty stuff.