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C4 suspension repairs

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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 10:21 AM
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Default C4 suspension repairs

I recently replaced my shocks on my 89 coupe. I couldn't believe the ride quality, so now I am looking at replacing the bushings. My car has 72,000 miles on it, so it would be appropriate. I did some archive research and discovered some information about doing the replacement but I have just one question for anyone. How many bushings are there?
I was planning on doing the rear suspension first but I looked at a catalog and lost track of how many bushings there are to replace. Any idea?

I am in the process of going through my car and doing some maintenance on it to help it. I worked on the engine and it runs great
now. Now it is the suspension. Any help would be appreciated.
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 12:02 PM
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Energy Suspension, and Pro-thane (I think), are a couple of firms that make complete suspension bushing kits for C4s.

There must be 8 or so bushings. I have a rear suspension kit in the garage, I will count them later today.

Expect such a job to suck up the best part of a weekend...
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 07:18 PM
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This job is also on my 'to do' list and I am as confused about how many parts as you JetJock.

Also I have heard that Polyurethane bushes make the ride harder - my ride is way too hard now, I've had my shocks revalved as soft as possible.

I haven't noticed any rubber bushes in any of the catalogues, where could I get them ?

S'nut

PS - the 'Kittens' - say Hi !!!!
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 09:03 PM
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I'm not trying to hijack your thread, but is there an easy way to cure a "squeaking" suspension? I can flood the ends of the bushings with oil, but would prefer a more professional approach. ...or should I be looking at parts catalogs and counting bushings? BTW, I have a stock '96 LT1 with 113k miles
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 09:35 PM
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the ride in any vette sucks ***! and as for the squeaking suspension, you should have used white lithium grease. good luck
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 10:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Stingraynut
This job is also on my 'to do' list and I am as confused about how many parts as you JetJock.

Also I have heard that Polyurethane bushes make the ride harder - my ride is way too hard now, I've had my shocks revalved as soft as possible.

I haven't noticed any rubber bushes in any of the catalogues, where could I get them ?

S'nut

PS - the 'Kittens' - say Hi !!!!
Just get stock GM - Superior Chevy
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 10:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Spoon83
the ride in any vette sucks ***! and as for the squeaking suspension, you should have used white lithium grease. good luck
My ride is pretty darned good, thank you for asking. It's not a C5,
they ride like a Cadillac. A C4 rides like a Corvette which is darned
good thing since I don't want it to ride like a Mustang. It is solid and
I like that since it rides like a jet.
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 11:44 PM
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Gary at VB&P is a good place to pick up suspension parts also. I've bought a bunch from them and going to buy a bunch more.
Johnny
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 11:49 PM
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Not many. The kit comes with tie rod covers and steering rack bushings... I didn't bother with those.

You'd be putting in Control Arm bushings, top & bottom, sway bar bushings, and swaybar endlink bushings. 36 pieces i think, just for those in front.
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Old Apr 19, 2005 | 11:53 PM
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Use suspension.com to find all the part numbers you need, but don't buy from them.

There's a bunch of different sway bar sizes.
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Old Apr 20, 2005 | 12:10 AM
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I recently rebuilt the entire rear suspension on my 85. from the shocks to the tie rod assembly.

Replacing the bushings aren't hard. But the job will take the better part of a weekend, because those bolts will not come apart easily, that's about the only part to be careful with.

btw- my '85 has 74,000 miles on it.
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