aklim

I am looking at the Master Kit from Energy Suspension. Seems like they have a bunch of "NO" when it comes to what is in the kit.

I see enough dry rot in some of my suspension to want to buy the whole kit and fix it all. Any advice on what else to get besides the kit? TIA

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/en...model/corvette

mcm95403

I got the Energy bushings for my front bar and my rear strut rods - the ones from the diff to the knuckles. Both sets didn't fit well at all. The rear set had to be trimmed with a knife to get them started into the knuckles, and even then had to use a floor jack to force them into place.

I've e-mailed back and forth with them on the poor quality and fitment and they are supposedly working on getting a car in to check, but it's been well over 6 months and still nothing.

I'd get the Prothane kit instead.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1580273341-post33.html

aklim

Does Prothane come as complete as ES or do I have to go fet more pieces?

cumbercr

I ordered the master set from Prothane. I've finished the front suspension with no fitment issues. You'll also have to order the front and rear sway bar bushings. Everything else was in the master kit.

www.prothanesuspensionparts.com

aklim

Wonder why they got 2 reviews and both suck.

mtwoolford

Extra lube; lots and lots of extra lube

mtwoolford

If not included in the kit, get bushings for the batwing.

PLRX

The alignment shop I've been going for the last 7 years recommends these bushings. The owner is an extreme gear head builder. The bushings I got from VBP shrunk on two different cars. I installed new bushings on Betty Boop, they already have 8,900 miles, and there is no "squeeky" noises yet.

Ensure you apply a light coat of the grease they provide on the bushing and all contact metal parts.

65Z01

I'd used the ES polygraphite bushings in the past with good results; sorry to hear that fitment suck so much.

I've ear-marked the Prothane site; thanks for the reference...

aklim

http://www.prothanesuspensionparts.c...asp?prod=72013

When you click on "Reviews" you get:

Comments: Some of the bushings don't fit. A waste of my hard earn money. Won't buy from you again

Comments: The only thing I missed was the installation instructions

cumbercr

I don't put much stock in one unknown review comment.

They do have some instructions on their site. At least the important ones are there. This isn't a complicated install. The hardest part is finding someone to press the front upper control arm bushings.

racewright

I have a 93 and I bought and installed the energy master kit about 6mths ago. It does not come with the sway bars bushings (I have VBP sway bars so I did not need them anyway). Although some of them were a little tough to install, everything fit perfect. I did not have to do any trimming anywhere. I used lots of the grease supplied and have not had any squeeks in the 6mths they have been in there. I'm not familiar with installing any other brands and I'm not saying one's better than the other, I'm just giving my honest opinion on the energy bushings.
Ron

aklim

Either way, sway bars are different so you'd have to measure and order what is needed, right?

racewright

Not really. The sway bars are different sizes the bushings usually are not. Most after market sway bars require you to use your exsiting "links" (the small steel bar that attaches your control/trailing arms to the sway bar). In the front the lower bushing goes right into your control arm, and on the rear the lower bushing goes into the link itself. I don't know why Energy does not include these as they would work with stock or "most" aftermarket sway bars. I'm not familiar with every brand of sway bar, so there could be some variations. Either way you'll have to either order sway bars (a huge improvement) or the bushings for your stockers. Hope this helps some.

Ron

aklim

So besides that kit, what else should I buy? They have different sway bars and I have stock FX3 or my 91 Coupe. Thanks

cumbercr

The master kit covers everything but the sway bars. You'll need to measure the diameter of your front and rear bars. I used the crescent wrench method. The sway bar kits come with end link bushings and the bar to chassis bushings. I would recommend ordering some extra lube.

aklim

Front Sway Bar Bushings Included:No
Front Sway Bar Bushings Greasable:No
Rear Sway Bar Bushings Included:No
Rear Sway Bar Bushings Greasable:No
Front Sway Bar End Links Included:No
Rear Sway Bar End Links Included:No
Steering Rack Bushings Included:Yes
Body Mounts Included:No
Radius Arm Bushings Included:No
Front Strut Rod Bushings Included:No
Rear Strut Rod Bushings Included:Yes
C-Bushings Included:No
Axle Pivot Bushings Included:No
Front Track Arm Bushings Included:No
Rear Track Arm Bushings Included:No
Front Coil Spring Isolators Included:No
Rear Coil Spring Isolators Included:No
Front Leaf Spring Bushings Included:No
Rear Leaf Spring Bushings Included:No
Front Leaf Spring Shackle Bushing Included:No
Rear Leaf Spring Shackle Bushings Included:No
Transmission Shift Stabilizers Included:No
Transmission Mount Included:No
Transmission Crossmember to Frame Bushing Included:No
Rear Trailing Arm Bushings Included:No
Torque Arm Mounts Included:No
Strut Tower Bushings Included:No
Rear Panhard Bar Bushings Included:No
Rear Leaf Spring Pads Included:No
Rear Spring Cushions Included:Yes
Front Shock Bushings Included:No
Rear Shock Bushings Included:No
Rear Subframe Bushings Included:No
Differential Pinion Bushings Included:Yes
Rear Differential Carrier Bushings Included:No
Ball Joint Dust Boots Included:Yes
Tie Rod End Dust Boots Included:Yes
Steering Coupler Bushings Included:No
Rear Overload Spring Snubbers Included:No
Rear Watts Link Bushings Included:No
Front Axle Bump Stops Included:No
Transmission Torque Arm Bushings Included:No
Motor Mounts Included:No
Bar End Grommets Included:No
Lower Control Arm Bump Stops Included:No
Front Bump Stops Included:No
Rear Bump Stops Included:No
Power Steering Ram Bushings Included:No
Differential Carrier Mustache Bar Bushing Included:No

Many items not included which throws me off

cumbercr

That's a generic list for pretty much any car. With the exception of the sway bar bushings, the C4 doesn't use the bushings they say are not provided. Trust me, the master kit plus sway bars covers everything.

aklim

What is the crescent wrench method of determining sway bar size?

cumbercr

Just put a crescent wrench on the bar and tighten until the jaws make contact with the bar. Then measure the distance between the jaws.