Poly Bushings
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Melville NY
Poly Bushings
General consensus on whole car poly bushings? Worth it?
Already have Koni Yellows. Very surprised that the vette doesn't feel more connected... The car does not necessarily inspire confidence while cornering and its not just my car, Ive driven several c4s that all have a somewhat disconnected feel.
Im coming from a 420whp wrx where I swapped entire suspension and all bushings - and a Miata with a swapped suspension.
Already have Koni Yellows. Very surprised that the vette doesn't feel more connected... The car does not necessarily inspire confidence while cornering and its not just my car, Ive driven several c4s that all have a somewhat disconnected feel.
Im coming from a 420whp wrx where I swapped entire suspension and all bushings - and a Miata with a swapped suspension.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
I just redid all of my front and it was worth it. Poly bushings in the control arms and sway bar mounts. Koni yellows, new ball joints and tie rod ends. Went with heim joints for the sway bar end links and z07 takeoff springs. Turned my suspension from a waterbed into a sports car. When I do the rear suspension, it would either be with factory rubber or heim joints. Also depends on what car and suspension yours has from the factory. My bushings were warn up front and pushing out and on top of that I have a 96 with a base suspension, softest sprung corvette ever.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
I had the rear suspension re-bushed with poly, yes they squeak like crazy BUT only when driving around town, on the highway the squeals are barely noticeable.
So really poly is the choice since rubber is not avail, BUT when it matters ie: on those long drives i take i don't notice it so it's not that bad.
If i had to drive long distances around town for more than an hour, i think the for sale sign would go on the window pretty quick!! lol
So really poly is the choice since rubber is not avail, BUT when it matters ie: on those long drives i take i don't notice it so it's not that bad.
If i had to drive long distances around town for more than an hour, i think the for sale sign would go on the window pretty quick!! lol
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
Not all polyurethane bushings are the same. I just replaced most of mine and did a little investigation. I used my durometer and checked on the stiffness.
Energy suspension Yellow 94
Vette Brakes 90
Energy Suspension Red 88
Richard Newton
Energy suspension Yellow 94
Vette Brakes 90
Energy Suspension Red 88
Richard Newton
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Melville NY
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 82
Likes: 1
From: Melville NY
95 with a base suspension - swapped the bilsteins for koni yellows.
I just redid all of my front and it was worth it. Poly bushings in the control arms and sway bar mounts. Koni yellows, new ball joints and tie rod ends. Went with heim joints for the sway bar end links and z07 takeoff springs. Turned my suspension from a waterbed into a sports car. When I do the rear suspension, it would either be with factory rubber or heim joints. Also depends on what car and suspension yours has from the factory. My bushings were warn up front and pushing out and on top of that I have a 96 with a base suspension, softest sprung corvette ever.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,469
Likes: 275
From: Naples FL
No real difference in squeaks. The stiffer ones just seem to hold up better. The big problem is the holes become ovalized have a couple of years.
I really like heim joints best. The other alternative is to use Delrin or aluminum bushings. The problem is they have to be custom machined .
Richard Newton
I really like heim joints best. The other alternative is to use Delrin or aluminum bushings. The problem is they have to be custom machined .
Richard Newton
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 685
Likes: 1
From: Austin TX
I was fine with poly on the front a-arm bushing because they just go up and down. You can probably get away with them on the rear camber bar and toe rod as well. I did not want them on the rear trailing arms for binding reasons. Lube them up correctly before install and it should help with the squeaks. If it still makes noise, try cutting the mufflers off.
I would check the wear in your bushing before a total rebuild. Front and rear end links wear quick and are easy to fix. Installing some stiffer springs from an earlier car would do wonders, I picked mine up for 250bux and doubled my spring rate.
I would check the wear in your bushing before a total rebuild. Front and rear end links wear quick and are easy to fix. Installing some stiffer springs from an earlier car would do wonders, I picked mine up for 250bux and doubled my spring rate.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
I have a 96 C4 and have a problem with a kind of knock/rattle when I go over rough road or bumps coming form passenger rear side. I have researched and ran across a post that said it was likely the end link. Is there a way to tell if this is the problem? How difficult is replacing the bushings? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
I must be the only guy here whose poly bushings don't squeak. I used ES bushings and the lube they came with. Three seasons now, and they are totally quiet. I added grease nipples to the dog-bone ends, but have not needed to use them yet.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 20,172
Likes: 672
From: Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
St. Jude '03 thru '24
10 years now.
I shoot some silicone spray on everything in the fall then powerwash in the spring.
And what if it does have a little squeek?
Lay down on the go pedal and crank up the tunes.
It's a Corvette for chriiiiisssake!
Want quite and smooth? Buy a Buick
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,257
Likes: 98
From: Ashland PA
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
I replaced all my bushings in the rear with prothane over the winter and so far no squeaks, made a big difference, better ride and handling, the stock rubber bushings were rock hard and starting to fall apart, I also replaced all U-Joints at the same time.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,996
Likes: 304
From: MOORESVILLE NC
Polyurethane bushings are the way to go. Suspension will be firmer and you will never have to do this job ever again. Lube the bushings well with silicone gel and or spray during installation.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
I put the ES reds in the rear of my 84. I have several thousand miles on them and no squeaks so far. Mine fit in snugly but not overly tight - slid in by hand with the lube supplied, so it does not seem like there would be a binding issue with the trailing arms.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Sway Bar End Link Replacement
I have the rattle/knocking sound and pretty sure its those end links. Do you have to take the sway bar off completely to replace the end links or can disconnect and leave in place? Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
Replace the S/B bushings while you are at it. (You'll have to drop the spare tire carrier.)
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Yes, good advise and will do this. Do you have to remove the sway bar completely or can leave attached? I pulled the spare cover off to expose the sway bar and see two attachment points on the frame, but not sure if the whole deal has to be removed to replace the links/bushings.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,659
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
Poly bushings are yesterdays technology.
People are eliminating bushings altogether with heim joints, delrin, and even bearings (pricey).
Hard to believe, but the ride quality of my 93 improved by eliminating all the rear bushings in favor of heim joints thru banski rear end kit.
No squeaks either
People are eliminating bushings altogether with heim joints, delrin, and even bearings (pricey).
Hard to believe, but the ride quality of my 93 improved by eliminating all the rear bushings in favor of heim joints thru banski rear end kit.
No squeaks either