poly or rubber - from the installation perspective
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
poly or rubber - from the installation perspective
Oh no, not another "poly or rubber" question!!! :jester
I read in some books that the installation of poly control arm bushings may be more involved than the installation their rubber cousins. I just wanted to hear your experiences on that. I was thinking of going with poly, but if that requires too many trimmings, adjustments, checks for clearances, and if that is really critical, then I may change my mind, and have someone press rubber bushings for me...
Thanks in advance!
-Pedro
I read in some books that the installation of poly control arm bushings may be more involved than the installation their rubber cousins. I just wanted to hear your experiences on that. I was thinking of going with poly, but if that requires too many trimmings, adjustments, checks for clearances, and if that is really critical, then I may change my mind, and have someone press rubber bushings for me...
Thanks in advance!
-Pedro
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA. USA
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
I just got done installing rubber bushings. I was going to install poly, but everyone, and I mean everyone I talked to, said not to. You feel every little bump in the road, and they will squeek. I had no problems instaling my rubber bushings. I put them in the freezer, and they went in no problem.
[Modified by vette69, 8:03 PM 12/16/2002]
[Modified by vette69, 8:03 PM 12/16/2002]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (vette69)
Brad,
Thanks for your input. And thanks for the tip of putting the bushings in the freezer--had never heard about that!
-Pedro
Thanks for your input. And thanks for the tip of putting the bushings in the freezer--had never heard about that!
-Pedro
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 232
Likes: 0
From: Snohomish, WA. USA
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
The cold makes them contract. I didn't use a press either. A 35mm or 1 3/8" socket will fit right over the rubber part of the bushing and you can "pound them in (just support the control arm correctly so you you change the geometry any. I actually found an end cap for some pipe that was just the right size that I used.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Franklin Ohio
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
Pedro, I did the poly bushings in mine and granted they were a little tough to get in the A arms but to me it was worth the extra effort. The kit I bought had small packets of lube and it made it somewhat easier. To me it was worth the extra work on the press. The bushings look great, don't deform when tightened, ride better than rubber and will last much longer. Just me 0.2
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (1978shark)
Doug,
Thanks for your response. What about the infamous squeaking? Any problems with that?
Thanks!
-Pedro
Thanks for your response. What about the infamous squeaking? Any problems with that?
Thanks!
-Pedro
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (1978shark)
I put mine in with an arbor press, not a hyd. press. They went in very easy. Never had them squeak(even at 20 degrees) and the ride is firm but not bad at all. The ride harshness comes from stiffer springs. I have poly engine mounts also. If you want a performance car go with poly. if you want a cruiser stick with the rubber. The freezer method will also work with poly bushings.
[Modified by Gordonm, 9:28 PM 12/16/2002]
[Modified by Gordonm, 9:28 PM 12/16/2002]
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Gordonm)
Gordon,
Thanks for your reply! What about the fitting and trimming sleeves that I read about in the books? Did you have to do do that? Was it difficult?
Thanks,
-Pedro
Thanks for your reply! What about the fitting and trimming sleeves that I read about in the books? Did you have to do do that? Was it difficult?
Thanks,
-Pedro
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
I did not have to fit or trim anything. I pushed the whole rubber bushing out and put in the whole poly bushing shell and all with no problems. Mine I think were Energy suspension bushings. Maybe some other brands are different but mine went in with little effort. Just cleaned up the control arm while everything was out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,056
Likes: 40
From: Life is Messy, Bring a mop
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
Neat experiences.
Just did poly and used a pipe cap and my bench vice!! No problems to report! :cheers: Taking it to be aligned tomorrow.
Just did poly and used a pipe cap and my bench vice!! No problems to report! :cheers: Taking it to be aligned tomorrow.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Gordonm)
Thanks, Gordon! It's good to hear that the installation is straightforward. Here's a quote from "Corvette Weekend Projects" that got me thinking (and Lindsay Porter says the same thing in "Corvette Resto Guide"):
I guess they are talking about a different kind of bushing, then... :confused:
Does anyone know what's the brand of the bushings that come in Zip's kits (which seems to be the cheapest)?
Thanks,
-Pedro
[...]The installation of polyurethane bushings is much more time-consuming [...] After the bushing is installed, the steel inner sleeve of each bushing has to be ground or filed down, checked, filed again, rechecked, and so on until the clearance is right. The hours of filing and fitting each buyer has to go through could have been eliminated by making the sleeve shorter and including a small shim set. Let's hope the manufacturers do that in the future.
Does anyone know what's the brand of the bushings that come in Zip's kits (which seems to be the cheapest)?
Thanks,
-Pedro
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (72rdstr)
Todd: thanks for your response. Let us know how you like it after you drive the car for some time!
-Pedro
-Pedro
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 3,990
Likes: 0
From: No longer a member
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
Pedro,
I've got poly bushings, easy to install, no squeeks. The lubricant is probably marine grease, that's what Guldstrand told me to use. BTW, I installed a 7 leaf steel spring in the rear as well, then Brutus and I drove from Florida to Kentucky and it was as comfortable as you can get in a C3.....it's no Lexus but it's not that rough either.
I believe all the poly bushings ae from Energy Suspension, and for those that do not know they only sell direct to retailers.
I've got poly bushings, easy to install, no squeeks. The lubricant is probably marine grease, that's what Guldstrand told me to use. BTW, I installed a 7 leaf steel spring in the rear as well, then Brutus and I drove from Florida to Kentucky and it was as comfortable as you can get in a C3.....it's no Lexus but it's not that rough either.
I believe all the poly bushings ae from Energy Suspension, and for those that do not know they only sell direct to retailers.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (C3 Shark Tank)
Thanks, Scott!
As I said above, I was leaning towards poly, but was afraid of the "much more time consuming installation". If the installation is easy, that's the way I'll go.
Thanks again!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 10:14 PM 12/16/2002]
As I said above, I was leaning towards poly, but was afraid of the "much more time consuming installation". If the installation is easy, that's the way I'll go.
Thanks again!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 10:14 PM 12/16/2002]
Racer
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 347
Likes: 1
From: Walpole MA
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
Pedro,
Can't answer concerning Brand in the Zip kit, but thats what I installed in my 74 coupe last winter. What as difference in handling, ride seems to be about the same but considering original rubber was shot, I really can't compare with new rubber. As to squeaks, I used the lube that came with the kit and after 2100 miles of driving this past summer did not notice any squeaking. I had a local shop press in the poly bushings.
Good Luck
Can't answer concerning Brand in the Zip kit, but thats what I installed in my 74 coupe last winter. What as difference in handling, ride seems to be about the same but considering original rubber was shot, I really can't compare with new rubber. As to squeaks, I used the lube that came with the kit and after 2100 miles of driving this past summer did not notice any squeaking. I had a local shop press in the poly bushings.
Good Luck
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (74Coupe)
Thanks Dick!
Zip poly kit it is. The price is hard to beat, and I believe they are on sale now... Sweet! :D
:cheers:
-Pedro
Zip poly kit it is. The price is hard to beat, and I believe they are on sale now... Sweet! :D
:cheers:
-Pedro
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
Alright, just ordered the super kit from Zip. $180, and a 5% "forum member" discount to boot. Can't beat that! :cheers:
-Pedro
-Pedro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: poly or rubber - from the installation perspective (Pedro'74)
I have had experience with both. It is your choice based on the pros and cons.... but there is ONE thing to watch out for if you decide on poly. By design, rubber bushing when tighened, become one stationary unit that requires the rubber between the inner and outer shells to twist as the suspension moves. Polys are designed to (must) ROTATE to allow suspension movement. This means that the bolts CAN and DO loosen as you drive. You must check them often. This is very important! People have actually lost the bushing(s). I have them on my car and I like them. The poly bushings are not too harsh for a corvette but you may not want them on a luxury car.