Front suspension poly bushing install - questions
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Front suspension poly bushing install - questions
I have read posts that claim that the poly bushings can be 'sqeaky'.
Is it the front suspension bushings that are being discussed - or others like the
sway bar bushings/end links?
I noticed that the poly suspension bushings are not exactly like the rubber, in
that they are not fused to the inner sleeve (and maybe not the outer, either).
So, the inner sleeve rotates inside the poly cushion. The rubber ones actually
flex the rubber under rotation.
Should I be putting the recommended marine grease (whale snot) in these
bushings to keep them quiet ?
It seems that the poly bushings can be torqued without full weight on the
front end, since they rotate freely - anyway. Comments on this ?
Lastly, I have seen comments that the poly bushings can work the retainer
bolts loose over time. Do you use a thread locking compound to help prevent
this ? Same torque spec for poly ?
Thanks for all tips, hints, and suggestions. :seeya
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (Fevre)
I used GM grease (white stuff in a white tube) and the supplied grease. I used lots of it so it won't squeek at all.
The bushings are just pressed into the hsells and the center pin goes in there, no fusing no nothing. In fact, if you don't remove the outer shells from the stock stuff you can clean those up (if rusted or something) and install the poly in them.
Torque specs are the same, I would torque them w/ weight on the car.
It's true that the locking bolts can come loose, I used lockwashers and a big flat washer under there and l secured the bolt w/ red loctite.
The bushings are just pressed into the hsells and the center pin goes in there, no fusing no nothing. In fact, if you don't remove the outer shells from the stock stuff you can clean those up (if rusted or something) and install the poly in them.
Torque specs are the same, I would torque them w/ weight on the car.
It's true that the locking bolts can come loose, I used lockwashers and a big flat washer under there and l secured the bolt w/ red loctite.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (Twin_Turbo)
I used GM grease (white stuff in a white tube) and the supplied grease. I used lots of it so it won't squeek at all.
The bushings are just pressed into the hsells and the center pin goes in there, no fusing no nothing. In fact, if you don't remove the outer shells from the stock stuff you can clean those up (if rusted or something) and install the poly in them.
Torque specs are the same, I would torque them w/ weight on the car.
It's true that the locking bolts can come loose, I used lockwashers and a big flat washer under there and l secured the bolt w/ red loctite.
The bushings are just pressed into the hsells and the center pin goes in there, no fusing no nothing. In fact, if you don't remove the outer shells from the stock stuff you can clean those up (if rusted or something) and install the poly in them.
Torque specs are the same, I would torque them w/ weight on the car.
It's true that the locking bolts can come loose, I used lockwashers and a big flat washer under there and l secured the bolt w/ red loctite.
I used Locktite to secure the bolts.Did this this winter and i can tell you that the car handles very,very :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:
Racer
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Garner NC
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (BB wowbagger)
I just got done with this, the new poly bushings from vette brakes came with new shells and I used the new ones. They also came with some white type of greese that looked like lithium but I'm not sure what it was. I used the greese they supplied. I had Wayne Womble take my old bushing out for me so I can't comment on that. I used red lock tite on the bolts and didn't torque them until I had the full weight of the car on the front end and bounced it up and down a few times. I replaced everything with new stuff, springs, shocks all the bolts. I haven't heard a peep out of the front end so far, I'm happy with the poly bushing at this point.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,927
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (CHEESERAL)
:iagree: I used the grease supplied. Been 2 years and still no squeaks. torqued with weight on the front end---otherwise your front end might stick up higher. I didn't use lock-tite on the bolts. I'll have to check them soon. :yesnod:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (1970 Stingray)
Problem w/ the bots going loose is that since the poly isn't fused, once the bolt falls out the poly bushing will be pressed out too, I wouldn't want to experience what happens when you loose a bushing at high speed. Could get ugly :)
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 11:41 AM 7/9/2003]
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 11:41 AM 7/9/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (Twin_Turbo)
Could a hole be drilled through the bolt to put a cotter pin in just like what is used for steering connections? Seems that would be the fail safe way to do it.
[Modified by Fevre, 10:34 AM 7/9/2003]
[Modified by Fevre, 10:34 AM 7/9/2003]
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: Lisbon Me
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (Twin_Turbo)
Yeah they can Squeek, I used the grease I got with the bushings mixed with lithium grease and I applied a lot, Oh Well.I did'nt tighten the end bolts on the control arm until they were in the Car seemed to Me I could bend the C/A easy if I had.The Torque settings seemed important too so they move correctly.Hope thats what you meant.Ive gone thru My front end twice just to tighten everthing up.The first time a few things were loose Yesterday when I inspected it everything was nice and tight.Use loc tight (blu)where you can.You do not want stuff coming loose on ya under there When your getting down on it.If you need anymore help let Me know this is all fresh in My head since I just did mine 2 months ago.Dale :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: Front suspension poly bushing install - questions (SLO RDE)
Thanks for all the posts. I will need to get some good grease (didn't get any with bushings).
BTW - had my old ones pressed out yesterday, and I picked up the disassembled pieces this morning. I'm a little PO-ed. They F-ed up one or two
of the openings when the took them out. I'll be posting pics in a separate thread later. $49 to press all 8 bushings out.
:mad :smash: :mad
[Modified by NHvette, 12:10 PM 7/9/2003]
BTW - had my old ones pressed out yesterday, and I picked up the disassembled pieces this morning. I'm a little PO-ed. They F-ed up one or two
of the openings when the took them out. I'll be posting pics in a separate thread later. $49 to press all 8 bushings out.
:mad :smash: :mad
[Modified by NHvette, 12:10 PM 7/9/2003]
