The suspensions should be loaded (full weight on the suspension) before the LCA bolts are cranked down. If they are cranked down with the arm drooping, the bushing can load up as you lift the arm to its mounting position. Not great for the suspension or the bushings.
The LCA has limited travel. It does move easily, given the weight and dynamics involved. It just might not move easily for someone trying to push the arm up by themselves.
My arms do move freely when the spring is out. Of course, I loosen the LCA bolts a few turns before dropping the spring (I dont pivot the control arm beyond its normal travel w/o unloading the bolts). And I am talking about the '88 GT vert right here (comparing it to your experience with your '90).
The stock durmoeter rating for the SN LCA bushings is not all that soft when speaking of stock control arm bushings. Toss having a dropped car into the equation, and I would not want to go too harsh with the bushings (on a daily driver). Your suspension travel is already limited from being lowered - I am not really desiring any more harshness since the roads here kinda suck. On a track car, that is TOTALLY different (the delrin, for example, is amazing on a road course. Pretty brutal on normal roads though).
This is just my perspective. WHen I do bushings again, I will be using poly in all probability (the '94 is up next). Suspension is one thing that is so individualized, it is hard to decide what you might like based upon what someone else likes. So take what I say for what it is worth (what is stiff to me might seem wallowy to you).
Good luck with the decision.
