Suspension Bushing Replacements

[Rufus1050]

Happy New Year's to all my CAC friends...hope that this year will be better than 04. My main project for the winter months down here in the bayou land is to replace all the suspension bushings, etc. on my 85. I've canvassed the magazines such as Ecklers & Corvette America for prices on a complete kit and they range from $199. - 229 depending on the mag you look at. Should I just make my purchase from one of them or are there some better prices out there? Would it be better to start on the back or front? Any helpful advice will be appreciated...

 

[Edmond]

These guys are the best: www.VBandP.com

I have bought bushings from them before, very fast shipping, first class company. They stock everything!

 

[maxrevs85]

There are several places to purchase these items . Edmond showed you one. Also www.pst.com. I wopuld suggest going with a polyurethane replacement . The results are realy great . I did my complete 85 with them. No the ride is not harsher , quite an improvement. If youn have the Z51 , you have the 30mm frt sway bar and the 24mm rear.As for which end to start with , it realy doesnt matter. get the car up on stands high enough to crawl comfortabley underneath. Good time to check your composite springs for cracking and splitting and replacing u-joints and bearings.

Dave

 

[rrubel]

I would use either urethane or a urethane/rubber compound. They can be a bit noiser (squeaks) but handle much better and will not be damaged by weather (heat, cold, etc).

VB&P carries them, though they're pricy; you could also do a search for "energy suspension" which is a company that makes really good urethane parts. ES sells a kit that has all front/rear parts in one package.
[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

I think rubber bushings aren't that easy to come by nowadays. Everyone is going with the polyurethane.

 

[rrubel]

VB&P (and the dealer, of course) sells the rubber ones. You can't use urethane if you plan to race/autocross in a stock class.
[RICHR]

 

[Edmond]

VB&P (and the dealer, of course) sells the rubber ones. You can't use urethane if you plan to race/autocross in a stock class.
[RICHR]

Rich,

It's funny that you mention the dealer. When my rear sway bar bushing went out, I went to the dealer. They said they didn't even have a part number for my Z52 suspension and I had to end up ordering it online. To me, going to the dealer is the last resort.:L

 

[Rufus1050]

Suspension Bushing Replcmt

Dave, thanks a bunch...I checked out Edmond's suggestion and they has some but as someone else already noted, they're proud of those buggers...know what I mean? I'll keep looking and visit some of the other sites listed in these replies. My 85 doesn't have the Z51 package...it actually rides well compared to the 63 I once owned. Thanks for the assist. Later...

There are several places to purchase these items . Edmond showed you one. Also www.pst.com. I wopuld suggest going with a polyurethane replacement . The results are realy great . I did my complete 85 with them. No the ride is not harsher , quite an improvement. If youn have the Z51 , you have the 30mm frt sway bar and the 24mm rear.As for which end to start with , it realy doesnt matter. get the car up on stands high enough to crawl comfortabley underneath. Good time to check your composite springs for cracking and splitting and replacing u-joints and bearings.

Dave

 

[rrubel]

Edmond, my understanding is that the dealer will sell you the whole part that contains the bushings... definitely a last resort, but for some it's all they can do if they need rubber.
[RICHR]

 

[JASON L]

Bushings

I have a 84 and I used ENERGY SUSPENSION HYPER FLEX kit from jegs.com Part #335-3-18122G $176.00 very good kit and one hell of a ride Phone #1-800-345-4545 Jegs has pretty good deals on parts like KYB shocks which you might want to replace since your in your suspension any way.

 

[nearmiss]

I would use either urethane or a urethane/rubber compound. They can be a bit noiser (squeaks) but handle much better and will not be damaged by weather (heat, cold, etc).

I like the idea of polyurethane bushings more precisely aligning the suspension and not deforming as much under load, but the whole squeaking thing has me a bit spooked. Some folks say they squeak and some say they don't. Is there anyway to get to the bottom of this? Is it maybe a manufacturer or compound difference that matters or do polyurethane bushings always squeak?

 

[Edmond]

I don't think you'll have much of a problem with squeaking if you use the supplied lubricant on the bushings. Anyway, the exhaust is supposed to drown out any other noise!:L:L:L

 

[rrubel]

I don't think you'll have much of a problem with squeaking if you use the supplied lubricant on the bushings. Anyway, the exhaust is supposed to drown out any other noise!:L:L:L

Edmond, the lubricant gets squeezed out eventually and washes away. I need to redo the rear swaybar bushings on my Outback about once a year, though obviously that one gets driven in all weather. And when it's cold, they squeak regardless, even on the Vette.

It's not a hugely obtrusive noise on the Vette, mostly when I hit a bump too fast. On the Outback, it can get obnoxious.
[RICHR]

 

[WhalePirot]

I lube mine when I do the routine service. Afterwards, I notice an improvement in the car's handling.

While I must remove the blocks from both sway bars, the front A-arms were drilled and fitted with zerks.

I recall no squeaks.

 

[in-Vette-uation]

I have a 84 and I used ENERGY SUSPENSION HYPER FLEX kit from jegs.com Part #335-3-18122G $176.00 very good kit and one hell of a ride Phone #1-800-345-4545 Jegs has pretty good deals on parts like KYB shocks which you might want to replace since your in your suspension any way.

Hey Jason, I just got the Energy Suspension kit for my '84. Seems the rear control arm bushing sleeves are too small. Did you have any trouble with yours?