suspension ?
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Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
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suspension ?
Now that I got my engine running good. 
I want to redo my suspension, I already ordered ball joints and tie-rods, but I want to do the bushings too.
Has anybody tried these from Summit and if so, do they come with instructions as to where each bushing goes and so forth?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-18122G/
I want to redo my suspension, I already ordered ball joints and tie-rods, but I want to do the bushings too.
Has anybody tried these from Summit and if so, do they come with instructions as to where each bushing goes and so forth?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-18122G/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
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St. Jude Donor '12
You will need to also get the correct kits for the front and rear swaybar and end links.
You will need more of the grease as well.
Prepare to spend a month on it because when you take apart the suspension you will clean everything so its nice and shiney
Yes the bushing kits come with some instructions.
I took my upper and lower front A-arms to a machine shop to have:
lower ball joints pressed out and new ones pressed in
upper ball joints removed and the old bushings removed and the new bushings installed
I didn't have a good press so it was easier to have them do the work.
You will need more of the grease as well.
Prepare to spend a month on it because when you take apart the suspension you will clean everything so its nice and shiney
Yes the bushing kits come with some instructions.
I took my upper and lower front A-arms to a machine shop to have:
lower ball joints pressed out and new ones pressed in
upper ball joints removed and the old bushings removed and the new bushings installed
I didn't have a good press so it was easier to have them do the work.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: Oxford CT
I did the job last winter and that combined with new bilsteins made a world of difference. I bought another tub of lube from these guys when I figured that the kit didn't have nearly enough. I also bought a cheap $100 press of off "the bay" and it has paid for itself and then some.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
I installed the complete Energy suspension kit about five years ago. I did it all myself (had access to a press) the installation was pretty straight forward. I was able to complete the entire removal and reinstallation in a weekend. However, I did a couple of other projects at the same time, I lowered the car and installed a Dana 44 (new U joints etc). I figured since it was up on jackstands my as well get my money's worth out of putting the car up on them.
I did not by any additional grease and my installation has been squeek free. (still have the polys on the front...replaced the dogbones/trailing arms with spherical rodend trailing arms) I was happy with how taut the handling was with the polys (car was low mileage back then...has almost 80K on the odometer now)
What I mean to put out in this post is polybushings will make the rear of the car stiff...... I thought the car needed to be that stiff iot handle well until I upgraded to spherical rod ends in the rear...now the car ride quality is much better and the handling has actually improved. If you have the money look into a rod end rear (just installing rod end trailing arms would be a marked improvement...the trailing arms in a couple of directions during normal suspension travel and the stiffness of the polys create a bit of a bind)
If you install the grease where the instructions tell you to you should have a couple of packets left over and you will have a squeek free ride for years to come.
Good luck
Mike
I did not by any additional grease and my installation has been squeek free. (still have the polys on the front...replaced the dogbones/trailing arms with spherical rodend trailing arms) I was happy with how taut the handling was with the polys (car was low mileage back then...has almost 80K on the odometer now)
What I mean to put out in this post is polybushings will make the rear of the car stiff...... I thought the car needed to be that stiff iot handle well until I upgraded to spherical rod ends in the rear...now the car ride quality is much better and the handling has actually improved. If you have the money look into a rod end rear (just installing rod end trailing arms would be a marked improvement...the trailing arms in a couple of directions during normal suspension travel and the stiffness of the polys create a bit of a bind)
If you install the grease where the instructions tell you to you should have a couple of packets left over and you will have a squeek free ride for years to come.
Good luck
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Sep 2, 2010 at 02:59 PM.
Team Owner
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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I've done bushings on C4s three times.
You can buy a press in Harbor Freight, cheap and will get the job done.
Yes, you'll need more grease. I used Marine grease on mine. It was recommended by other member here. Marine grease can be found at any auto parts.
This is the press I bought in harbor freight and I got nothing but great things to say about it.
You can buy a press in Harbor Freight, cheap and will get the job done.
Yes, you'll need more grease. I used Marine grease on mine. It was recommended by other member here. Marine grease can be found at any auto parts.
This is the press I bought in harbor freight and I got nothing but great things to say about it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,976
Likes: 0
From: Patchogue NY
I just posted a queston on the Tech thread about bushing replacement.
Yeah, Harbor freight tools work, and are reall reasonable. However, is it necessary to take off the sway bar to replace the bushings??
Joe B.
Yeah, Harbor freight tools work, and are reall reasonable. However, is it necessary to take off the sway bar to replace the bushings??
Joe B.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
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