Poly trailing arm bushings ?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,927
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
VB&P is no longer in business. I used Energy Suspension poly bushings most everywhere, including the spring bushings. With a cut spring and a stock swaybar mount, the rubber bushings wouldn't have fit anyway.
I think there was a bad batch of poly bushings going around about 10 years ago. There may still be some bad ones out there, but not from Energy Suspension, AFAIK.
Red or black:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Energy-Suspen...2104R/10002/-1
https://www.jegs.com/i/Energy-Suspen...2104G/10002/-1
I think there was a bad batch of poly bushings going around about 10 years ago. There may still be some bad ones out there, but not from Energy Suspension, AFAIK.
Red or black:
https://www.jegs.com/i/Energy-Suspen...2104R/10002/-1
https://www.jegs.com/i/Energy-Suspen...2104G/10002/-1
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,927
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
I think the rear ones are 100% compatible with stock, since they don't replace the pocket in the trailing arm.
Measure the holes. If they are the same, you may be able to get away with two Energy Suspension kits.
Measure the holes. If they are the same, you may be able to get away with two Energy Suspension kits.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
is this the way they came out of the rear arm? Mine have another set of metal plates between the bushing and the frame and spring
if you have the front spring is it the same?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
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2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Ryan
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
Yes that's what vbp sent over years ago. The washers on outsides, poly bushing, and the monospring and t arm has a cup/washer that is attached. Looks like what your pic shows at the spring, I'm not sure what you have going on with the t-arm side or maybe they were different through the years? Mine's a 79. I didn't have a front monoleaf so i can't help you there.
Ryan
Ryan
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Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
I didn't use the poly grease in my install, only on bushings that have a rotation component (A-arms, sway bar, etc). It couldn't hurt, though.
Did you check the fit to see if they work on the front spring, too?
Did you check the fit to see if they work on the front spring, too?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
no havent got it on the lift At my son in laws place (a fathers dream) yet and Ordered strut rod bushings too since one side looked iffy
I guess the lube should be used on the strut rod bushings?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
My strut rod bushings came with and used grease, and i used some on spring bolt but looks worthless as its pretty open...no squeaks and usa energy stuff feels like quality..
if worried put a little silicone brake grease on it no problem ..
if worried put a little silicone brake grease on it no problem ..
Last edited by interpon; May 11, 2020 at 10:00 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,513
Likes: 501
From: Bussey, IA
Ok does anybody have any pics or instructions on installing the Pro-Thane (Energy Suspension) bushings on the t/a? The instructions I got leave a lot to be desired. I know you have to use the cups, but the outside washers don't fit over the bushing sleeve, and appears there is no way of flaring them so they stay on. Need some help here......
Last edited by Giddy-up Go; May 11, 2020 at 04:10 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 250
From: Ocean County NJ
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,927
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
Thanks for the update! I'm glad that worked out.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 8
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.
Have a great day all and thanks for the help.
Last edited by Oldtimer79; Nov 3, 2020 at 07:37 AM. Reason: missed a couple of words
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
Prothane bushings
Ok does anybody have any pics or instructions on installing the Pro-Thane (Energy Suspension) bushings on the t/a? The instructions I got leave a lot to be desired. I know you have to use the cups, but the outside washers don't fit over the bushing sleeve, and appears there is no way of flaring them so they stay on. Need some help here......
I have seen sleeves listed at different suppliers in original mild steel, in stainless steel and even in aluminum - Any thoughts on that? Aluminum is definitely easier to flare but how about durability?
I'd be happy to share photos once I am done with one side.
Chris
Racer
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 312
Likes: 64
From: Henry county ohio
ES t/a bushings are a piece of cake. Lube them up good, ( cause everything is better with lubrication) shove the bushings in, shove in the sleeve, put the washers in place, put in the bolt and shims.
Its not rocket science.
A number of people have had issues with poly bushings, but the ES product seems to hold up well.
Ymmv
Jeff
I'm surprised their hasn't been an uproar with some factions that this thread has been resurected.
LoL
Its not rocket science.
A number of people have had issues with poly bushings, but the ES product seems to hold up well.
Ymmv
Jeff
I'm surprised their hasn't been an uproar with some factions that this thread has been resurected.
LoLLast edited by jeffwebley; Nov 3, 2020 at 06:17 PM. Reason: Clarification and spelling
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,927
Likes: 4,497
From: Virginia
I haven't seen any evidence of Energy Suspension bushings failing, certainly not the red ones. I think most of the previous failures have been from a combination of poor materials, age, and inappropriate use (trailing arm and strut rods).
That said, I chose not to put poly bushings of any kind in my trailing arms. That is the ONLY pair of rubber bushings left in my car. If I feel the need to upgrade this in the future, I'll install Johnny-Joints (heim-joints).
Is that enough uproar?
That said, I chose not to put poly bushings of any kind in my trailing arms. That is the ONLY pair of rubber bushings left in my car. If I feel the need to upgrade this in the future, I'll install Johnny-Joints (heim-joints).
Is that enough uproar?
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 27
Likes: 2
I now had a closer look at the new ES bushings compared with the original set up. It appear that the ES bushings are 6thou wider than the originals. As one of my TA's has no shims on one side it will mean a 3 thou offset compared with the old set up.
So I am going to make 2 new sleeves and washers to get the same width.
Further the hole for the bolt is too small so I have to get a 7/16" drill to get it through.
(Sorry, I am metric and I measured 1.5 mm difference which means 0.75 mm to each side. The hole is 11.0 mm and 7/16" is 11.11 mm)
Chris
So I am going to make 2 new sleeves and washers to get the same width.
Further the hole for the bolt is too small so I have to get a 7/16" drill to get it through.
(Sorry, I am metric and I measured 1.5 mm difference which means 0.75 mm to each side. The hole is 11.0 mm and 7/16" is 11.11 mm)
Chris
Last edited by cl3884; Nov 8, 2020 at 04:40 AM.