Cost often defeats desire...not pretty..
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Cost often defeats desire...not pretty..
I did some research on C4 control arm bushings. It's no wonder they get replaced with poly. Nobody sells replacement rubber bushings. New lower control arms i found online for 550 bucks a pop and uppers are 300. That's a lot of money just to replace your worn out bushings for stock ones. So i guess on down the road i'm going to be trying to make some poly work without driving me crazy squeaking.
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/catalog/frameset.cfm
Heel & Toe
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area Ca
I've been doing alot of research lately and from what I've seen the best deal on control arms is from corvetterecycling.com. Supposedly all new oem parts. I just ordered a new outer window scraper from them and it was OEM and good quality.
http://www.corvetterecycling.com/198...trolarmkit.htm
http://www.corvetterecycling.com/198...trolarmkit.htm
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
Yup...
its appropiate with April 15th just ahead to formally introduce you to the "Corvette Tax".
You CAN get those control arms for 1/2 what you've found. Shop your local parts stores and do some googling...they are out there and you can find many jointed/adjustable uppers for less than 300...those make life sooooo easy for the alignment guy. When his job is easier...your cost is lower. Caster and Camber in vette front ends can be a very challenging task. Too often its trial & error. Finding a happy medium or "good 'nuff" is the end result. The adjustable uppers solve that problem.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...tte&vi=1041220
its appropiate with April 15th just ahead to formally introduce you to the "Corvette Tax".
You CAN get those control arms for 1/2 what you've found. Shop your local parts stores and do some googling...they are out there and you can find many jointed/adjustable uppers for less than 300...those make life sooooo easy for the alignment guy. When his job is easier...your cost is lower. Caster and Camber in vette front ends can be a very challenging task. Too often its trial & error. Finding a happy medium or "good 'nuff" is the end result. The adjustable uppers solve that problem.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...tte&vi=1041220
Last edited by leesvet; Apr 11, 2013 at 12:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Yup...
its appropiate with April 15th just ahead to formally introduce you to the "Corvette Tax".
You CAN get those control arms for 1/2 what you've found. Shop your local parts stores and do some googling...they are out there and you can find many jointed/adjustable uppers for less than 300...those make life sooooo easy for the alignment guy. When his job is easier...your cost is lower. Caster and Camber in vette front ends can be a very challenging task. Too often its trial & error. Finding a happy medium or "good 'nuff" is the end result. The adjustable uppers solve that problem.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...tte&vi=1041220
its appropiate with April 15th just ahead to formally introduce you to the "Corvette Tax".
You CAN get those control arms for 1/2 what you've found. Shop your local parts stores and do some googling...they are out there and you can find many jointed/adjustable uppers for less than 300...those make life sooooo easy for the alignment guy. When his job is easier...your cost is lower. Caster and Camber in vette front ends can be a very challenging task. Too often its trial & error. Finding a happy medium or "good 'nuff" is the end result. The adjustable uppers solve that problem.
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/se...tte&vi=1041220
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
They have lowers as well...
IIRC, the stock type arm is rubber and the performance/adjustable is some form of poly. I would bet that you can order whichever since they (O'really) orders direct from a wholesaler/mfg
IIRC, the stock type arm is rubber and the performance/adjustable is some form of poly. I would bet that you can order whichever since they (O'really) orders direct from a wholesaler/mfg
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,228
Likes: 10
From: That one city...you know that one. Idaho
From my experience with Corvette Recycling they are a bad company to work with, for one every time i call them for anything for my c4 they always tell me the do not sell/stock ANYTHING for the c4 and older....IF they where better to work, more honest, and ever had what I need I might buy things from them as they are about 100 miles away from me
Last edited by aDigitalPhantom; Apr 12, 2013 at 12:02 PM. Reason: more info
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
They must have recently d/c the products. It was just a few weeks ago that I looked at stock arms, upper and lower with ball joints....now its only uppers that were the 'performance' option...
I guess there is not a lot of call for C4 suspension parts from a general auto parts retailer....
I guess there is not a lot of call for C4 suspension parts from a general auto parts retailer....
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
From my experience with Corvette Recycling they are a bad company to work with, for one every time i call them for anything for my c4 they always tell me the do not sell/stock ANYTHING for the c4 and older....IF they where better to work, more honest, and ever had what I need I might buy things from them as they are about 100 miles away from me
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
Corvette central has original upper and lower control arms. Still not cheap. $1200.00 to replace them all because Chevy didn't bother to design them so the bushings could be replaced.
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....fibF~~~~A20~A1
http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....fibF~~~~A20~A1
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,660
Likes: 22
96GS...
how are those bushings holding up?
has there been any accellerated wear against the arm mount or pivot point?
I am certain that like most other things, grease is the key. Thats not a problem in my case...I am a believer that grease is cheap...
I also kind of see the benefit and understand that with these metal bushings...any lost "give" or deflection is not transmitted to the tires...where they will be forced to tweak a but more since the hub/spindle can no longer absorb any odd side loading.
What was the cost os the metal bushings? if its reasonable I might just go that route with adjustable uppers and rebuild the lowers.. They DO make metal for the lowers or not? Uppers only?
Interesting...TIA
how are those bushings holding up?
has there been any accellerated wear against the arm mount or pivot point?
I am certain that like most other things, grease is the key. Thats not a problem in my case...I am a believer that grease is cheap...
I also kind of see the benefit and understand that with these metal bushings...any lost "give" or deflection is not transmitted to the tires...where they will be forced to tweak a but more since the hub/spindle can no longer absorb any odd side loading.
What was the cost os the metal bushings? if its reasonable I might just go that route with adjustable uppers and rebuild the lowers.. They DO make metal for the lowers or not? Uppers only?
Interesting...TIA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Interesting. I've always had great experiences with them. Bought the NOS upper and lower control arms from them that I then installed the Global West bushing in. In addition, I've bought assorted other C4 parts...intermediate shaft for steering, NOS brake rotors, carpeting, etc. Always great prices, delivered as promised, and in the shape that's advertised.
Same here - always good results from them.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
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From: Slidell Louisiana
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 878
Likes: 2
I went and did a forum search as well as some other sites and the feed back i read was a hasher ride with noise transmitted to the cabin. Harsh being a seat of the pants feel that differs from one owner to the next. Most that have have them admit they ride harsher and transmit noise but don't mind/care that they do.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,179
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From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
I am amazed how many have the "harsh ride" syndrone.
We have tires, shocks and springs that directly contribute to "harshness".
LoneStar, the bushings are just that, bushings. The purpose is to allow the suspension move/pivot.
Rubber is chosen by the engineers to reduce road noise and give a longer life to the pivot.
Rubber gives, and causes the suspension to load and unload in sometimes unpredictable manner.
Thus making some suspension performance mods worthless.
Since OEM bushings are no longer produced, what are the options when the rubber disintegrates?
Installed correctly, poly will give long life and remain reasonably quite.
Anyways, whats with every one worrying about noise?
Muffler elims, Corsa's, Magnaflow's and MegaWatt amps drown out all those noises anyways
We have tires, shocks and springs that directly contribute to "harshness".
LoneStar, the bushings are just that, bushings. The purpose is to allow the suspension move/pivot.
Rubber is chosen by the engineers to reduce road noise and give a longer life to the pivot.
Rubber gives, and causes the suspension to load and unload in sometimes unpredictable manner.
Thus making some suspension performance mods worthless.
Since OEM bushings are no longer produced, what are the options when the rubber disintegrates?
Installed correctly, poly will give long life and remain reasonably quite.
Anyways, whats with every one worrying about noise?
Muffler elims, Corsa's, Magnaflow's and MegaWatt amps drown out all those noises anyways
Last edited by JrRifleCoach; Apr 12, 2013 at 11:47 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,009
From: Texas
96GS...
how are those bushings holding up?
has there been any accellerated wear against the arm mount or pivot point?
I am certain that like most other things, grease is the key. Thats not a problem in my case...I am a believer that grease is cheap...
I also kind of see the benefit and understand that with these metal bushings...any lost "give" or deflection is not transmitted to the tires...where they will be forced to tweak a but more since the hub/spindle can no longer absorb any odd side loading.
What was the cost os the metal bushings? if its reasonable I might just go that route with adjustable uppers and rebuild the lowers.. They DO make metal for the lowers or not? Uppers only?
Interesting...TIA
how are those bushings holding up?
has there been any accellerated wear against the arm mount or pivot point?
I am certain that like most other things, grease is the key. Thats not a problem in my case...I am a believer that grease is cheap...
I also kind of see the benefit and understand that with these metal bushings...any lost "give" or deflection is not transmitted to the tires...where they will be forced to tweak a but more since the hub/spindle can no longer absorb any odd side loading.
What was the cost os the metal bushings? if its reasonable I might just go that route with adjustable uppers and rebuild the lowers.. They DO make metal for the lowers or not? Uppers only?
Interesting...TIA
They have zerk fittings....a shot a grease once a year was all I ever did....and an inner delrin sleeve that allows them to pivot freely. There is no metal on metal wear. I had in the neighborhood of 20k+ miles on them, with close to 5k being road course miles running primarily Hoosier R6s. The last year with the car I used Nitto NT01s...got tired of replacing front hubs after every track day.
As the pics show
, they make the aluminum bushing with the delrin inserts for the upper and lower front a-arms. Cost way back when was ~$350 for the set. Probably $500 now, but who knows. Might be like Plasma TVs....$15k years ago, $900 now 