Poly Bushings
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 913
Likes: 17
From: Chatsworth, Ga.
Bushings
I did mine about 6 years ago. I put on a complete set of the black ones. I have a few squeaks in cool weather and speed bumps, but I can live with that. Just a world of differences in handling and ride.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 405
Likes: 1
From: Twinsburg OH
I ordered several extra tubes when I ordered the bushing set because I figured they would not send as much as I wanted to use. I don't like squeak so I am soaking them in the stuff before installing. After I got the kit I noticed the local... I think it was autozone, one of them chain part stores anyway has the same stuff for sale on the wall with a few of energys bushings.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
Likes: 2
From: Mandeville, LA / Clemson, SC
I just did mine...and they don't squeak much in the front but they do in the back. What exactly do you grease? Everything (coat the entire bushing inside and out?) or just the pin and the inside of the bushing. I did't put any on the face of the bushings and I think that is why i'm having squeaks.
I am going to re-grease the rear when I do my D44 swap this weekend!
Good luck with your swap, The Evil Genius, it was pretty straight forward and any negative affects (besides squeaking I had none) are well worth the handling.
I am going to re-grease the rear when I do my D44 swap this weekend!
Good luck with your swap, The Evil Genius, it was pretty straight forward and any negative affects (besides squeaking I had none) are well worth the handling.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Some people will always have squeaks because the bushings are not manufactured correctly and they're installing them anyways.
The bushing should not bind at the sides or shoulders, and should only rotate relative to the inner sleeve. Anything else and it's bound to squeak.
Grease them on the inner and outer diameter, and on the sides.
The bushing should not bind at the sides or shoulders, and should only rotate relative to the inner sleeve. Anything else and it's bound to squeak.
Grease them on the inner and outer diameter, and on the sides.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,484
Likes: 2
From: Dayton, OH HAWG: "this is Off Topic...it can get a bit north of care bears and strawberry shortcake in here"
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Thanks everyone for the info! Good advice, CC. It seems like most people don't feel the ride harshness to be that bad, so that's a good thing.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 520
Likes: 2
From: Mandeville, LA / Clemson, SC
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
I got the first two lower control arm bushings out with a ball joint c clamp press but it was incredibly difficult. Then I bought an $80 press from Harbor Freight and I am loving it.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 26,598
Likes: 0
From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
I used a gear puller with a washer stuck on the tip to push out the bushings... it was a pain in the ***, but it got the job done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,141
Likes: 7
From: Metairie Louisiana
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
I have that c-clamp, it is a huge PITA to get bushings and the lower ball joint out with that thing. This is the press I bought, it was $79.99 on their website and $139.00 in store. Shipping was $10 and took about a week. I also have a huge 3/4" drive socket set from HFT that was handy for pressing with.
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
I have that c-clamp, it is a huge PITA to get bushings and the lower ball joint out with that thing. This is the press I bought, it was $79.99 on their website and $139.00 in store. Shipping was $10 and took about a week. I also have a huge 3/4" drive socket set from HFT that was handy for pressing with.
THAT was only $90 shipped?!
Harbor freight here I come!!
CentralCoaster, does yours really weight 144lbs like quoted on their site??
Last edited by Thrak; Feb 28, 2007 at 05:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: Port Orange FL
I have that c-clamp, it is a huge PITA to get bushings and the lower ball joint out with that thing. This is the press I bought, it was $79.99 on their website and $139.00 in store. Shipping was $10 and took about a week. I also have a huge 3/4" drive socket set from HFT that was handy for pressing with.
Roy
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,080
Likes: 3
From: Clearwater FL
St. Jude Donor '06
I replaced my good condition original bushings with poly in the whole rear and the sway bar in the front and replaced the FE1 shocks with Z-51HO at the same time. The ride is definately more responsive and stiffer. Not in a bad way for me, but if the roads here were total crap, it would be a bit much. I think the shocks made more of a difference than the bushings. No to very little squeeking here.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 59,243
Likes: 0
From: Driving a hybrid in Hipsterville
That said, sales tax is 7.25% here so it was pretty much a wash ordering over the internet. I also didn't have to make a special trip to HFT in my wife's car because that thing wouldn't fit on the back of my daily driver motorcycle.
Anyway, if I was going to spend more I'd get a more compact model like the one Central Coaster is showing. Mine is going to spend most of its time taking up space in my garage.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
It's also nice to have that big muthereffing press show up on your doorstep instead of having to buy it at the store.
I recall the shipping price was amazingly cheap for how much that thing weighed.
I recall the shipping price was amazingly cheap for how much that thing weighed.