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Changed out the front-end link bushings on my 71 C3 and it wasn’t 4 months later, with light driving, that they came apart. The car doesn’t have any front end or steering issues.
I used rubber bushings-old school.
I recently replaced the shocks, they were shot.
The car is in overall very good condition, and I plan to keep it around and regularly drive it now that I’m retired.
Thoughts?
The photo is of the new bushings I put in yesterday. Bushings drivers side. Bushings passenger side.
Alan
Looking at C3 sway bar photos on the net, it appears that the ends of the rods curve downward slightly on others.
Yours appear to curve upwards? Maybe not.
When you removed the sway bar for cleaning or painting did you accidently swap it end for end?
Depends which brand of bushings you got. There are lots of junky ones out there, even from the big name vendors. Looks to me like the sway bar is installed correctly. I've had good luck with chassis rubber from NAPA if that helps.
I'm not sure about your71, but on my 69 the do curve up slightly. Looking at the AIM in the drawing they appear to curve up. I certainly may be wrong with the installation on my 69 but it hasn't been a problem for three years. Perhaps the problem with the bushings was that they were just another fine aftermarket product that we are sold.
That is a great looking shop!
The brand was Detroit Axle, purchased as end link kits with rubber bushings.
However, I was talking to the owner at Van Steel (Corvette suspension shop) he related he uses polyethene bushings for longevity. Also, bad shocks and overtightening of the end links can contribute to bushing failure.
I recently changed out my shocks, which were completely shot and will check the end links for overtightening. With rubber bushings we want to stop tightening as soon as the bushing starts to bulge.
What kind of Vette do you have?
Hope that's helpful, have a great day.
Alan
The brand was Detroit Axle, purchased as end link kits with rubber bushings.
However, I was talking to the owner at Van Steel (Corvette suspension shop) he related he uses polyethene bushings for longevity. Also, bad shocks and overtightening of the end links can contribute to bushing failure.
I recently changed out my shocks, which were completely shot and will check the end links for overtightening. With rubber bushings we want to stop tightening as soon as the bushing starts to bulge.
What kind of Vette do you have?
Hope that's helpful, have a great day.
Alan
Thanik you. Appreciate the explanation.!
I have a 78, 4spd, and just installed poly on the front sway bar. Looking to change the ends and was concerned about the brand.
I put energy usa suspension rear sway links poly…perfect still including rear strut.
front i wanted poly but no usa so went paragon rubber..still like new
Yes sir, my 71 is a numbers matching car and my goal is to go with all OEM parts when available-hence the rubber bushings. To do it again I will go poly.
Bushings
