bushings
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 92
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bushings
while I have my motor out I am going to replace my control arm bushings and figured its better to get a bushing kit. Summit sells either prothane motion control or energy suspension. Any feedback on either brand?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I have no experience with either of those. I used the kit from VBP for my front suspension. I think you can get just the bushings from them too.
Pro
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 593
Likes: 0
From: London England
I've not used Energy Suspension but I have used Prothane (not on a Corvette).
The Prothane stuff fitted well and offered good performance but was slightly harsh (increased road noise and very slightly rougher ride).
I also had to replace them after 3-4 years because the inner bush sleeve corroded and machined away the polyurethane. I suspect this may have been a weird one off though as other people haven't the same problem.
VIDEO
I would email any vendor you're interested in ask them what shore hardness their bushes are and go with the softest (lowest figure) combined with any feedback you can get from forum members about fit and finish.
The Prothane stuff fitted well and offered good performance but was slightly harsh (increased road noise and very slightly rougher ride).
I also had to replace them after 3-4 years because the inner bush sleeve corroded and machined away the polyurethane. I suspect this may have been a weird one off though as other people haven't the same problem.
VIDEO
I would email any vendor you're interested in ask them what shore hardness their bushes are and go with the softest (lowest figure) combined with any feedback you can get from forum members about fit and finish.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
I used Energy Suspension on my 76' and have used it before on my TwinTurbo 300zx. I went ahead and bought the "Hiper Flex" master kit. It has pretty much all the bushings on the car covered. It was a messily $200 for the entire kit. Yeah, its going to be slightly harsher than your 30yr old rubber bushings, but they last. Use the grease that comes with the kit. You will eventually want to change all the bushings anyway. I buy my bushings kits from Suspension.com. 
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Plainfield IL
I used the energy suspension motor mounts in my 77 and hate them. I get a lot of vibration at idle. Way too hard. I also have used the rubber vs energy suspension control arm bushings. The rubber ones have lasted 30 years from the factory and made no noise. Energy suspension kit I installed on the 75 made noise after 2 years. had to disassemble them and re grease them. I like the rubber ones myself.
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