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going to do a rebuild underneath when I get shocks..86, Z51, want complete kit AND advice welcome on install and other parts,grease needed. Also, getting new(used) A arms from a member and want to do the ball joints, bushing,ect. Advice on brand and, well, any advice. do they need to be taken to a machine shop or can I do with a pickle fork? never got into them on a vette so knowedge is extremely limited in this area. thanks guys.
You won't 'need' to take anything to a machine shop. You can use a ball joint removal tool (ball joint press) to get the ball joints out of the A-arms (you will of course also have to drill out the 'rivets' that retain the top ball joint first). to remove the bushings you can drill out holes in the old bushing and then press them out of the A-arms (be sure to properly support the arms so they don't bend). There are lots of good suspension rebuilt write ups on this form, which should provide you with a pretty good idea of how to rebuild the suspension.
Have you considered using the Global West del-Aluminum bushing for the A-arms? they should have less deflection than poly and they don't cost all that much, plus they are greaseable so you won't get squeaking over time.
If possible I feel using rod ends at least on the trailing arms in the rear suspension is ideal as they move in more than one access of motion, which can cause poly bushings to bind. Banski makes nice products for our cars.
If possible I would also suggest you tap threads into the sway bar anchors brackets and install a grease fitting and dill a matching hole in the poly sway bar anchor bushing, that way you can grease them periodically so they don't squeak.
Hope this helps...
Also one other important point is to use only grease that is meant for poly bushing as several fourm member have said regular grease can break down poly and ruin the bushings.
I've been really happy with the energy suspension bushings. Installed 2 years ago and no complaints. Comes with the grease, make sure you use it all. Lots of good write ups on the subject. For me the hardest part was removing the old bushings. A couple were a pain. If I were to do it again I would buy a press to make life easier.
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
So many write-ups on this subject.
Lower ball joints require a press. Make sure you really need those replaced.
The rest is elementary. 4" vice and some yankee-ingenuity.
Keep in mind the susp joints pivot on the bolt, so tight is not always right.
I've been really happy with the energy suspension bushings. Installed 2 years ago and no complaints. Comes with the grease, make sure you use it all. Lots of good write ups on the subject. For me the hardest part was removing the old bushings. A couple were a pain. If I were to do it again I would buy a press to make life easier.
isthis the kit u used ? was it 100% complete or did u need to order other bushings elsewhere to replace them all?
I cant say since I only had to do the rear end. But from what I understand it is complete and you will end up with extra bushings due to variations with different year/models. They supply all in one set. I think there were some posts where people werent sure about which bushing went where though.
To throw my opinion into the ring, I have been doing lots of reading on the subject, scans of the various forums to see who has success with what, etc etc.
I have come to the conclusion that I will use graphite impregnated poly bushings in the front (If I use poly bushings). In fact, I am going to use poly-graphite bushings everywhere I replace bushings at.
Why poly-graphite (which are strictly black) over a (maybe) better looking red one? The graphite provides lubrication properties that the red ones do not have. There are several reputable companies that sell p-g bushings.
If it was me, I would spend some time with Mr. Google, doing searches on C4 polygraphite bushings, delrin, urethane etc and read about other folks experience.
I'm not a huge fan of polyester bushing but if you're really going to do this you should probably go Energy Suspension. Tell them you want the yellow ones.
The stiffness of these bushings vary widely.
The Vette Brakes bushings just disintegrated.
This happened after about 1 year.
There's a pretty wide variation between companies. I measured these with a durometer. Energy made the yellow ones for me after the others failed.
09-16-2016, 10:27 PM
best poly suspension buy?brand? complete kit?
