mobird

Hey guys, which poly bushings are the best to go for for the C3? My original rubber bushings and body mounts are all rotted out.

Car is a 79 with 18" wheels, Bilstein sport shocks all around, VB&P 550 lb front springs, 360 lb. composite rear spring.

I hear good things about Energy Suspension, but they seem to be the most expensive. Curious whether the cheaper brands are just as good.

Also, standard Red ES bushings? Or the Graphite impregnated black bushings?

leadfoot4

There have been some recent discussions, on this Forum, stating that there are issues with polyurethane bushings deteriorating. My interpretation of this, is that one, or more, of the "private label" suppliers are getting 2nd rate parts, possibly from "offshore" suppliers.

I rebuilt the suspension of a 1979 Corvette, back in the mid 90s. It was my wife's car, a car she had owned since new. I used the "private label" polyurethane bushings, because I was also buying some other parts from this supplier, and it was easier to create one large order. During the 3-4 years after the installation, the time that we owned the car, everything was still OK.

On the other side of the coin, in a number of other cars that I've owned/worked on, I used Energy Suspension bushings. I was always pleased with their performance. With regard to color, it's just a SWAG (scientific wild assed guess) on my part, but I thought the formulation of the red bushings was a tad more compliant than the black ones. Therefore, I used the red bushings for my street cars.

mobird

So I've heard a few of those horror stories as well. Never about Energy Suspension, so maybe that answers my question :spend the extra $60 or so and get ES.

Thanks for the input!

I believe "red" is the standard poly, and "black" is the graphite impregnated (supposedly helps reduce squeaks that Poly bushings are known for)

resdoggie

I have the Energy Suspension poly's. Pleased with them so far.

There are also horror stories out there with cheapo rubber bushings so lets not harp on the poor quality of poly bushings.

cobrachuck

I also used Energy Suspension poly's 3.5 years ago on the 75, no issues.
Much improved handling with 550 springs & new shocks

cagotzmann

Graphite impregnated black if you want to reduce squeaks.

I have "prothane brand" bushings everywhere. Same VB&P Street & Slalom suspension, car is used for track days. (1978)

5 years and all are still in great condition.

https://www.summitracing.com/int/par...2-bl/overview/

mobird

For those of you with the ES bushings, did you go with the standard Red, or the graphite impregnated black?

If you went Red, do you have any squeaking? How often do you lube them?

JoeMinnesota

I went with ES black bushings all around. I only have about 1K miles since the A-arms and everything else was rebushed, but it's definitely not squeaky. When I installed them they were lubed going in. They will not be re-lubed.

leadfoot4

The only bushings that are relatively easy to "re-lube", would be the sway bar bushings. All of the others, are pretty much inaccessible, after assembly. I haven't bought at poly bushing kits lately, but in the past, ES included a small packet of their lube.

I refer to this lube as "elephant snot", as it's rather slimy, and sticks to everything. It is, however, an excellent lubricant, and it's VERY sticky, so it won't wash off. However, the little bit that they include, isn't really enough, to slather all the surfaces, bushings, sleeves, and mounting bolt shanks, with a good coating of it. Therefore, I strongly suggest that you purchase an additional container of the lube.

Barry's70LT1

Energy Suspension poly's since 2001, no issues.

cobrachuck

I went with red
Good luck

Tampa Jerry

Whatever you do, DO NOT use poly in the trailing arm bushings. I have replaced both sides in my 68 and 66. They turned to glass and fell out. A few of my friends had the same bad luck. I purchased mine from two different vendors. Also, DO NOT replace the rear end mounting bushings with poly either. They are too thin. The poly mount made the drive shaft universal in the back hit the floor of the tunnel when I had a passenger in the car. I used poly motor and transmission mounts in my 70 SS Chevelle and the engine fan hit the shroud. I replaced them with factory rubber and all is well. Do a search of poly here and in the C-2 forum for more info. PM me if you want to buy the motor/transmission/rear mounts. Mine are almost new. Jerry

mobird

Ok so I've seen reference to this from a couple peopple, is it a specific brand of Poly bushings that just have inferior quality? Or all Poly bushings? I feel like if the Energy Suspension bushings had this obvious of an inherent flaw EVERYONE would talk about it.

So for those of you with ES bushings in your rear end and trailing arms, have you had this problem?

The13Bats

Weird. I see people yell about whatever you do dont use poly in trailing arms it will do this or that, then some racer will pop in and say he uses them in trailing arms and has auto crossed it 10 plus years with zero issues,

The bottom line is some poly bushing are trash and some are great, and its short sighted tosay all are trash just because....

Btw im going Johnny joint in my trailing arms

jb78L-82

Upper and Lower front control arm bushings-Black Energy suspension bushings-Been on the car 12 years...look brand new and NO squeaks..............

F4Gary

So, I have been told by the experts on here to not use poly for the rear strut rod bushings.
Either use rubber or heim joints.

Just passing that on.

resdoggie

Nope.

resdoggie

Lol, what experts? Care to name any?

calwldlife

have had poly front and rear since
early to mid 90's.
black with graphite impreg.
bought from vpg.
still look new.

The13Bats

I know 2 maybe 3 guys on here i consider "experts" they seldom post but i cannot count how many pound there chests and list in about every post they make why they are experts at least in their own minds,