When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have been reading bad things about polyurethane bushings lately and I wanted to find out what your opinions are. Recently there was a post about leaf spring bushings crumbling after only 2 years and if that's what happens to them I don't want to use them. Were those leaf spring bushings a different kind of "polyurethane" or are all polyurethane bushings the same and you can expect them to crumble?
I decided to use what came on the 73 originally. The originals were
still solid, but I replaced all bushings with new rubber ones.
Can't say how the poly ones hold out, but just wanted rubber ones.
Here are the original that were placed on my 73 in Dec. 72 and they
held up pretty good.
Thats some pretty tough material unless the quality has changed over the last 10 yrs dont see how that could happen unless perhaps installer error?
Like the (poly)graphite impregnated ones personally
Rubber is always good but dont trust the quality of OEM material to be there with repop stuff..
I have gone with original on my '72 LS-5. Other input has the poly ones as bone jarring and a bit rough. Sure can tell it's a south east or east coast, mid-west car. Moisture, salt? We don't see anywhere near that amount of rust in the Pacific NW. Perhaps that is why one sees buyers out Seattle way looking for the old muscle and corvettes so often.
Sure can tell it's a south east or east coast, mid-west car. Moisture, salt? We don't see anywhere near that amount of rust in the Pacific NW.
W
If you are referring to the photos of mine, that is my own doing.
I had my 73 stored under a car cover and tarp on my back drive
way for 20 years undisturbed. I do live in Louisiana so the humidity
didn't help.
I now have completely restored it and am driving it again.
Okay, I just found out the term "polyurethane" is as generic as the term "plastic" so all polyurethanes are not the same. If your polyurethane bushings were made in China there's no telling which formula they used.
Unless you drive at limits where reduced chassis and suspension flex are needed, there is no need to go to polyurethane. Stock rubber is fine for daily drivers.
Spend some time reading this thread and looking at the pics. I think you will have your answer for rear strut rod poly bushings. My advice, go with rubber or heim/solid joints.
At one time I had US made polyurethane front A-arm bushings. At first they gave very firm front feel but they didn't last. I've used original GM rubber ever since and they last as expected.
Years ago if yo went with "poly" you were good done deal then the knock off make it cheap market kicked in and the so called "poly" stuff was made so crappy sometimes the real low end stuff would bust just installing it, many years ago I worked with an aftermarket ACVW parts outfit because all the bushing the were importing and selling were crap.
On my 69 I used http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.com/ body bushings because they were the only ones who gave you all you needed of the correct bushing for a 68-72 which came with solid bushings factory,
However, the rebuilt donor chassis I bought sat around I do not know how many years, it was rebuilt with Vette brakes transverse front and rear spring kit, basically all the "poly" parts are cracked , or in some other way in need of replacement, I am shocked as this suspension was new and never under a runner driver car, I would have expected more from VB I might call them about it but the last few times I called them on other things their customer service left too much to be desired. ( if you are a VB rep feel free to call me )
Rubber, same as poly to me, years ago new rubber should have lasted a long time but I can't find rubber that doesn't get dry and crack very quickly so never would I consider rubber bushings on my build,
I have been reading bad things about polyurethane bushings lately and I wanted to find out what your opinions are. Recently there was a post about leaf spring bushings crumbling after only 2 years and if that's what happens to them I don't want to use them. Were those leaf spring bushings a different kind of "polyurethane" or are all polyurethane bushings the same and you can expect them to crumble?
I installed poly 12 years ago, and they are fine. I would not use them on the rear struts or t arms, as they do not work there well.
Energy suspension sells good ones. Use lock tite on front a arm bolts, or they will back out.
I have poly control arm bushings-front upper/lowers-for about 10 years. No squeaks, no deterioration, nothing...look brand new today. Use heim jointed adjustable competition strut rods in the rear. As for ride it is slightly firmer (but not anywhere dramatic like bone jarring), more positive steering, better tracking, and overall suspension response and handling, better highway tracking...big win all around. The ride difference between rubber and poly is slight but better in my opinion. Remember, anything you do to eliminate the effects of chassis flex in the suspension will help the C3's handling since the stock frame flexes a lot. Add rubber suspension components and you have a wet noodle going down the road. In addition to the poly bushings, I have a GTR1999 custom blueprinted/rebuild OEM steering box, 550 springs, 1 1/4 inch stock sway bar with poly end link and mounting bushings, a spreader bar, Bilstein HD shocks, and 255/45/17 Zr ultra high performance summer only tires and my C3 is VERY comfortable ride wise and if not for the 3.70 gearing with the 4 speed, I could drive it all day long, every day and be comfortable on most roads and highways. Not too long ago, My neighbor with a marshmallow Lexus LS 430 and recently 460 rode in my 78 and he could not believe how well it rode after hearing all the stories how the older vettes road like trucks. The right combo of aftermarket upgraded parts can transform these cars IF you select the right components to address the c3's shortcomings. I would never go back to rubber if these bushings ever wear out..just me.
Interesting tidbit:
Mid 90's Police Caprice and Ford Crown Vics used control arms with NO bushings...I have driven these cars and they do ride noticeable firmer than the civilian vehicles with rubber control arm bushings...the difference between poly and rubber control arms bushings for a C3 is MUCH less. The fact that Police vehicles used Solid control arm bushings to quell the unwanted suspension movements on typical body on frame vehicles is the exact reason that poly bushings are so beneficial to a C3. Scroll through this link for pictures of a solid control arm bushings...my friends ex police crown vic had them...they were awesome.
These solid bushings would be great for guys who track their C3's if they were available....Poly is perfectly acceptable for street driven C3's as I can attest to now for over 10 years.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Aug 15, 2015 at 07:12 AM.
My Poly leaf spring bushings that I bought from Ecklers crumbled after hardly any usage. They are "no name." I have Poly in front but they are name brand - which I can't think of right now.
Just put a VBP spring bolt kit on my C4(I know C3 thread) and I got the upgraded poly kit. I compared the price of ES poly like I used on my C3 and now I wish I would of gotten just the bolts. Also just got a VBP camber kit for my C4(dragvette kit for my C3) and am glad I got the rod end kit.
When I put all new parts under my c3 it didn't really settle, but my c4 had with jut the bolt kit. Last time under there I noticed the lower polys looked like the cup was cutting into them. Also they use a smaller top one that I didn't notice until I got the kit or I'd of gotten the ES bushings.
edit: I have used polys engine/trans mounts with good results and on my foxbody over 12yrs ago and those are still good. Just keep hearing things about VBP quality slipping and will avoid any poly from them and try not to use too many other parts if I can avoid.
Good polyurethane bushings will stiffen up suspension. In my experience they last as long if not longer then stock.
IMO I would never use poly motor mounts. I see people use them all the time. I think that a stiffer barrier between the engine and frame is undesirable.
In the early '90s, I "went through" the suspension on my wife's '79 C-3. I replaced ALL of the bushings with polyurethane parts that I sourced from VB&P, and ball joints/idler arm from Moog. I also installed VB&P's composite rear spring, and 460 lb/in front coils.
We kept the car for another 3-4 years after that, until she decided she wanted a new car, in 1997. At that point, all of the bushings were still in good condition. We were in contact with the car's second owner for several years after that, and he never mentioned any problems with the suspension. Last I knew, he retired to Florida a few years back, so I don't know what happened to the car after that.....
Originally Posted by InfidelCorvette
Good polyurethane bushings will stiffen up suspension. In my experience they last as long if not longer then stock.
IMO I would never use poly motor mounts. I see people use them all the time. I think that a stiffer barrier between the engine and frame is undesirable.
I installed the "poly inserts" in the motor mounts of my '96 Z/28. Yes, they do increase the noise transmission factor somewhat....
Last edited by leadfoot4; Aug 17, 2015 at 08:21 AM.
The only experience I have is from removing the stock rubber control arm bushings on my 1977. Car has 80K on it. The exposed parts of the bushings were totally dry rotted and almost crumbly BUT.... when I removed them.. the inside (which is the part that really counts) was as fresh as the day they were installed 37 years ago. My car is NOT a garage kept show car. It has been a driver since day 1. The sway bar bushings also... although they looked bad... they were very fresh. Because of this... I am replacing all of my bushings with MOOG. Good rubber really lasts.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Polyurethane Bushings........Good Or Bad?
