Has anyone used Prothane (or another brand) and not used the thrust washers that came with the kit? The reason that I ask is that for some reason when the thrust washers are installed on the arms/bushings, they are way to wide to go into the mounts. Both on the frame and for the upper arms on the differential housing. I am probably going to have to call Prothane in the morning but if I don't have to use the bushings, I wont. The factory rubber bushings didn't use washers and I can't imagine that my cruise night/head turner driver really NEEDS them? Thanks.

I used Engery Suspension Poly bushings and it came with 3 different thrust washer depending where you were using them. If you do a search there are alot of opinions on the subject about problems using poly's in the rear. Mine are binding up on me and I may go back to rubber when I remove the rear end to put it in a new frame.
Ray

I don't remember getting any kind of washer with rear polygraphite bushings. I don't know if prothane has different requirements...

Tim.

I don't remember "thrust washers" on my Energy Suspension bushings. But it's been a bunch of years...

I've been convinced that harder bushings increase the "binding" of the rear suspension; but I'm not convinced that it makes any difference on a street-driven vehicle. It probably makes a difference on a road race vehicle.

You do need to use the thrust washers.

And if you do NOT use the thrust washers the poly bushings can work out of their shell until you have metal to metal contact ;)