1980 Bushing Replacement

[celeryman22]

Hi, just wondering where you guys are getting your Poly bushings from. from the posts I've read I haven't seen many that squeek. I personally don't want to be the "lucky" guy that gets the squeeky ones. I've seen Van Steel, and VBP. I usually order from Ecklers and have been looking at this set http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=243&pf%5Fid=34874&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

Anyone ever try these?

With this spring http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1826&pf%5Fid=35265&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

and these front springs http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1826&pf%5Fid=A6998&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

And these shocks http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=239&pf%5Fid=43263&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

for the front and rear.

What are your thoughts?

 

[mvftw]

Any suspension parts you should only use Van Steel
http://www.vansteel.com/

 

[TWINRAY]

Personally, I avoid "kits" and buy MOOG front end parts. I'll pay more but I don't care. My labor time isn't worth putting no-name parts on my cars. My .02

 

[Hib Halverson]

Hi, just wondering where you guys are getting your Poly bushings from. from the posts I've read I haven't seen many that squeek.
(snip)
Anyone ever try these?

With this spring http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1826&pf%5Fid=35265&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

and these front springs http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=1826&pf%5Fid=A6998&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

And these shocks http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept%5Fid=239&pf%5Fid=43263&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

for the front and rear.

What are your thoughts?

Typical of the way forums are sometimes, the first two replies didn't answer the question at all and, not only that, they were disinforming.

Van Steel is a very reputable company specializing in rear T-arms and other suspension parts but to say one should only use Van Steel for suspension parts is BS. There are many good aftermarket suspension mfg's out there and a few make better parts than Van Steel. As for the comment about Moog, that's pointless as well, because Moog doesn't even make some of the pieces discussed in the question above.

Now, that match of front springs, rear springs and shocks...I think it will work ok but the car might be a little loose so you want to watch your rear bar size. A better choice might be the 330 lb/in. composite rear spring, the Edelbrock IAS shocks but a front spring of around 550 lbs./in.

As for poly bushings, they work well in C3 applications as long as you understand their use will increase ride harshness, as well as offering an improvement in at-limit handling (but you'll only experience that as long as the car's balance is right---see my comments about spring rate in the front). Lastly, unless you are a very aggressive driver, you'll notice the harshness more than you will notice the improvement in at-limit handling, so if you're not a regular aggressive driver, I'd stay with OE-type rubber parts.

Lastly, on Moog again, that company does make excellent OE-type bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends and front springs and are worthy of considering if you replace those kinds of parts. Van Steel makes excellent "rebuilt" t-arms, however, I can speak to Van Steel's other suspension parts.

 

[TWINRAY]

As for poly bushings, they work well in C3 applications as long as you understand their use will increase ride harshness, as well as offering an improvement in at-limit handling (but you'll only experience that as long as the car's balance is right---see my comments about spring rate in the front). Lastly, unless you are a very aggressive driver, you'll notice the harshness more than you will notice the improvement in at-limit handling, so if you're not a regular aggressive driver, I'd stay with OE-type rubber parts.

I noticed no additional harshness when I replaced rubber a-arm bushings with poly and this was also coupled with replacing front springs and shocks. And thanks Hib for pointing out that we didn't answer the question exactly to your liking. Maybe the forum only needs you answering questions?

 

[celeryman22]

Thanks guys, will go with the 550lbs front springs, 330lbs rear spring and the Edelbrock IAS shocks, I think I will still get the poly bushing set http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?dept_id=243&pf_id=34874&mscssid=DEBA9G5N09LS9JM1SEBWKJ0S8RTJ27C2

Mike

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Do search on 'poly' and 'squeaking', possibly 'squeeking' which seems to be a new US spelling. If you don't see a long dissertation under my name with all the negative points of poly bushings, keep looking.

There's two types of poly bushings- ones that squeak now and ones that soon will.

 

[celeryman22]

Do search on 'poly' and 'squeaking', possibly 'squeeking' which seems to be a new US spelling. If you don't see a long dissertation under my name with all the negative points of poly bushings, keep looking.

There's two types of poly bushings- ones that squeak now and ones that soon will.

Rubber it is. I assume I can still use a poly transmission mount and engine mounts..... What about poly for a body mount? Still no?

Thanks for the help.

 

[JohnZ]

No. Why would anyone want poly engine/transmission/body mounts? The rubber mounts are there to isolate engine/transmission vibration from the chassis, and the rubber body mounts are there to isolate chassis and driveline vibration from the body structure. What do you gain from replacing them with poly mounts? What is the fascination with poly mounts? :eyerole

 

[celeryman22]

No. Why would anyone want poly engine/transmission/body mounts? The rubber mounts are there to isolate engine/transmission vibration from the chassis, and the rubber body mounts are there to isolate chassis and driveline vibration from the body structure. What do you gain from replacing them with poly mounts? What is the fascination with poly mounts? :eyerole

My only thought is that poly will last longer and is more chemical resistant. To tell you the truth I have never seen or touched a poly mount so I dont know how much more they give compared to rubber. After you see what my tranny mount looks, I would try anything.

Mike

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

My only thought is that poly will last longer and is more chemical resistant. To tell you the truth I have never seen or touched a poly mount so I dont know how much more they give compared to rubber. After you see what my tranny mount looks, I would try anything.

Mike

The originals lasted 20-30-40 years or more. The life of poly bushings is unknown at this point. Maybe more, maybe less. In 20-30-40 years the car will be 40-60-80 years old and probably need a MAJOR body off restoration. Are you going to re-install your old poly bushings at that time?

As John said, rubber bushings were there for isolation purposes. Why diminish that quality?

 

[celeryman22]

The originals lasted 20-30-40 years or more. The life of poly bushings is unknown at this point. Maybe more, maybe less. In 20-30-40 years the car will be 40-60-80 years old and probably need a MAJOR body off restoration. Are you going to re-install your old poly bushings at that time?

As John said, rubber bushings were there for isolation purposes. Why diminish that quality?

Well its settled then Rubber all around.
Thanks guys for the help.

Mike