poly front control arm bushing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
poly front control arm bushing
hey guys,
i was talking to few friends and one of them said somthing about poly bushing will lower the front of are cars, becuase stock rubber bushings binds???? is that true
i was talking to few friends and one of them said somthing about poly bushing will lower the front of are cars, becuase stock rubber bushings binds???? is that true
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
My stock front bushings were binding but that was because the rubber fused to the inner sleeves. I lowered my front end and got vitually no drop until I put the polys in, which allowed the suspension to move, and softened up the ride.
I'd say poly is more likely to bind during installation due to poor manufacturing, some of us have had to do some clearancing to make it work properly. I think there's a reason people say poly stiffened up their suspension and caused squeaks, its because it's binding on the sides of the bushings.
I'd say poly is more likely to bind during installation due to poor manufacturing, some of us have had to do some clearancing to make it work properly. I think there's a reason people say poly stiffened up their suspension and caused squeaks, its because it's binding on the sides of the bushings.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
thanks guys, i started to take my front end apart last night, i took everything off, but for some reason the spring does not want to come out. one thing i noticed was my lower control arms binding, i had to force the lower control arm to stay down while pulling on the springs. the control arm would not stay down as soon as i take force off it , it pulls rigt back up, could this be a sign of bad bushings? and could this be why my front end sits so dam high. i did take alot of weight off the car but talking to more people they say that weight doesnt effect the spring rate as musch unless i have a very soft spring...thanks
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Weight of the car doesn't effect spring rate. The front spring rate is fairly constant on these. Weight would only effect the rate on a progressive spring.
It sounds like your lower control arm bushings are binding. When this happens the rubber tears during suspension movement. It stiffens up your ride uncontrollably, stresses the suspension arms, and makes it generally ride like crap, or at least, not as God intended. I would get a full kit and replace them a little at a time. If those are that bad, the others can't be far behind.
When I removed my steering knuckles, I was able to stand on top of the upper ball joint and the control arm would not rotate more than a 1/2" or so. I had all my weight on it (I don't weigh much) but that gives you an idea how bad siezed bushings can be.
It sounds like your lower control arm bushings are binding. When this happens the rubber tears during suspension movement. It stiffens up your ride uncontrollably, stresses the suspension arms, and makes it generally ride like crap, or at least, not as God intended. I would get a full kit and replace them a little at a time. If those are that bad, the others can't be far behind.
When I removed my steering knuckles, I was able to stand on top of the upper ball joint and the control arm would not rotate more than a 1/2" or so. I had all my weight on it (I don't weigh much) but that gives you an idea how bad siezed bushings can be.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 686
Likes: 62
From: San Jose Ca
Scott
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
thats what my friend that was helping me work on the front said. poly is the way to go, i just orderd a set .
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
The sad part is the polys will bind if the bushing is wider than the inner sleeve. This can be the unintended result of poor manufacturing. Make sure they rotate freely. Because polyurethane is not very flexible. If it binds badly, you could break a control arm, or your teeth.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 4
From: Canton MI
The sad part is the polys will bind if the bushing is wider than the inner sleeve. This can be the unintended result of poor manufacturing. Make sure they rotate freely. Because polyurethane is not very flexible. If it binds badly, you could break a control arm, or your teeth.
not sure on the rotate freely part?? do you mean the control arm movment ???
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
