C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Poly trailing arm bushings ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 09:42 AM
  #21  
H8 mondays's Avatar
H8 mondays
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 208
Likes: 78
From: Sparks NV
Default

I use summit racing all the time but this time the I also needed new shims and a few other parts that summit dose not carry. The are a good company to deal with and having them in town is an added bonus.
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 09:47 AM
  #22  
H8 mondays's Avatar
H8 mondays
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 208
Likes: 78
From: Sparks NV
Default

I have been thinking about making a set of heim jointed strut rods from 1" 6061 aluminum that I have laying around but I am just not sure about the forces involved and if the strength of the aluminum would hold up I may just look for some steel round stock instead. But i like the idea of removing as much friction from the moving parts as possible.

Phil
Reply
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 09:57 AM
  #23  
resdoggie's Avatar
resdoggie
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Supporting Lifetime
10 Year Member
Veteran: Navy
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 1,213
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
Default

T6061 aluminium is on mine. It is strong enough for that application.

Reply
Old Jun 11, 2019 | 10:27 AM
  #24  
H8 mondays's Avatar
H8 mondays
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 208
Likes: 78
From: Sparks NV
Default

Great news that will give me an excuse to visit summit racing for heim joints and it will give me something to do in the meantime.
Thanks for the picture I like building things for half the price of off the self items that serve a purpose.

Phil
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2019 | 06:20 PM
  #25  
zigvs's Avatar
zigvs
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
Default

My polys turned to glass in o time.Going back to rubber
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2019 | 06:51 PM
  #26  
leadfoot4's Avatar
leadfoot4
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
Default

Originally Posted by zigvs
My polys turned to glass in o time.Going back to rubber
What brand were they?
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2019 | 08:31 PM
  #27  
sjstub's Avatar
sjstub
Life Member
Supporting Lifetime
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral Fl
Default Poly vs Rubber Trailing Arms

I just replaced all 4 poly bushings on my '69.The old poly bushings came out in pieces. Don't know how long they've been in there, but they didn't look too old. The car's up on blocks yet, so don't know how how the new rubbers are going to handle.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2019 | 08:11 AM
  #28  
leadfoot4's Avatar
leadfoot4
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
Default

Originally Posted by sjstub
I just replaced all 4 poly bushings on my '69.The old poly bushings came out in pieces. Don't know how long they've been in there, but they didn't look too old. The car's up on blocks yet, so don't know how how the new rubbers are going to handle.
Again, I'm just curious about what brand they were. My reasoning is this....a number of years ago, I performed a complete suspension rebuild, on the '79 Corvette that my wife owned at the time. I bought a number of parts from the now defunct 'Vette Brakes and Products. Since they also sold poly bushings, I bought them, from them, as well. When they arrived, I was a little confused, as the bushings were "unbranded" and simply packaged in plastic bags.

I couldn't exactly put my finger on it, but these bushings had a different feel to them. I had previously used Energy Suspension bushings, with very good results, and had even used ES products after doing the work on the '79, again with good results. We kept the '79 for another 3-4 years, and at that point, the VB&P bushings were still intact, but I have no idea how long they lasted. We sold the car, and it's second owner retired to Florida, a couple of years later, so I lost contact with him.

But I'm just curious if the people that are reporting "issues" with polyurethane bushings are speaking of their experience with ES, Prothane, or the "generic" VB&P bushings.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 6, 2019 | 10:52 AM
  #29  
H8 mondays's Avatar
H8 mondays
Thread Starter
Instructor
All Eyes On Me
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 208
Likes: 78
From: Sparks NV
Default

I installed the poly bushings and had a 4 wheel alignment done to the car and it drives like brand new no more wandering in the lane and feeling like I was always chasing the car is gone. Only time will tell how long they last but as a weekend car they will a long time. I can't beleave this was resurrected from June and everyone is still arguing about it. This seams almost as bad as what oil should I use. Ha

Have a great day all and thanks for the help.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2019 | 03:08 PM
  #30  
zigvs's Avatar
zigvs
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
Default

They were ordered maybe 10 years ago.The car sat in the garage.I couldn't find where I bought then from then I found a sticker on my spring.VBP.I'm going to give it another shot with energy suspension
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2019 | 03:13 PM
  #31  
zigvs's Avatar
zigvs
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
Default

I Just had the car aligned and I had 18 miles on the bushings,Now the car sat for 10 years so maybe that had something to do with it.I just now pulled the trailing arm and scooped the crumbs out,The larger pieces broke in my fingers.Got them from VBP with an entire suspension kit along with a composite spring.(TRW).I was taking a shake down run and when I hit the gas the rear kicked out of my lane.Scared the **** out of me.Knew something bad was happening.Going with energy suspension.Praying
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2019 | 09:47 PM
  #32  
Pzark's Avatar
Pzark
Instructor
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 215
Likes: 86
Default

I just finished replacing the bushings on my 79. The new bushings were Energy Suspension and were quite soft, felt like rubber but were poly. I have heard that earlier poly bushings were very firm so maybe this is why some guys have success using poly whilst some suffer bushings failing. They certainly need to be flexible for use in the trailing arms, hard bushings would certainly be destroyed.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2019 | 07:53 AM
  #33  
leadfoot4's Avatar
leadfoot4
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
Community Builder
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
Default

Originally Posted by zigvs
I Just had the car aligned and I had 18 miles on the bushings,Now the car sat for 10 years so maybe that had something to do with it.I just now pulled the trailing arm and scooped the crumbs out,The larger pieces broke in my fingers.Got them from VBP with an entire suspension kit along with a composite spring.(TRW).I was taking a shake down run and when I hit the gas the rear kicked out of my lane.Scared the **** out of me.Knew something bad was happening.Going with energy suspension.Praying
Were your bushings black, in color? If so, it's quite possible that they were indeed the ones that VB&P sold.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2019 | 11:06 AM
  #34  
jim2527's Avatar
jim2527
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,347
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Default

I have feeling there was bad batch of poly about 10 years ago. At work the rubber wheels on our storage carts are disintegrating. Garage chemicals for lawn care and pool maintenance are notorious for causing issues.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2019 | 05:19 PM
  #35  
zigvs's Avatar
zigvs
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 493
Likes: 2
From: Dunellen New Jersey
Default

yes they were black
Reply
Old May 5, 2020 | 10:29 AM
  #36  
monstr's Avatar
monstr
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Can use some help

Originally Posted by zigvs
yes they were black
I have the VPB bushings In the car I just bought that didn’t have much mileage on it at all

They are shot in the back too with chunks falling out, fronts look ok but think I will replace them too

they actually look like they are not solid and have slits in them spaced around the circumference Which is why they probably crumble apart

Maybe they did this to allow for movement, if so what a crappy design

can the energy suspension bushings Directly replace the ones that came with the VBP kit or are new bolts And cups required?



Reply
Old May 5, 2020 | 11:19 AM
  #37  
monstr's Avatar
monstr
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
Default Front spring bushing

Front spring bushings In VPB kit are going in chunks also And I don’t see replacements for those online are they available and any recommendations From members?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Poly trailing arm bushings ?

Old May 5, 2020 | 12:46 PM
  #38  
monstr's Avatar
monstr
Drifting
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
Default

Originally Posted by monstr
Front spring bushings In VPB kit are going in chunks also And I don’t see replacements for those online are they available and any recommendations From members?
here are pics of the front leaf bushings which are in better shape than the rear but still crumbling it looks like they are the same as the rear ones does anyone know for sure if VBP used the same for front and rear?






Reply
Old May 5, 2020 | 08:43 PM
  #39  
Mod75's Avatar
Mod75
Race Director
15 Year Member
Veteran: Army
Community Builder
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,663
Likes: 695
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Default

Poly.



Reply
Old May 5, 2020 | 09:02 PM
  #40  
jb78L-82's Avatar
jb78L-82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
Likes: 970
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Default

Wow! I have VBP poly cushings on my VBP 360 composite spring that I personally installed in 1986 and the bushings look brand new today.......jeezz. VBP must have changed poly vendors sometime after 1986 LOL.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:18 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE