Looking to get a replacement set of suspension bushings for my 91 Base Coupe. I hear that people like the SuperPro bushings for certain components. Others have had good experience using standard poly bushings all around.

I want to use mostly standard poly bushings where I can, and use the SuperPro (which apparently have less bind) where I need them. This is for a street car that I have tracked once.

My question is, exactly which bushings do need this "less movement-restrictive material" installed? I want to use standard poly bushings where I can get away with it for cost & availability reasons mostly.

 

In the rear, all the links move in multiple planes, so you'd probably be better without binding there. Up front and on the swaybars all around, poly should be fine.

 

The bushings that rotate in multiple axis are the 8 bushings in the dogbone. For most of the others you can use Delrin, I personally think that the standard type polyurethane has no business on a performance car, or at least not on a race car... I like the Superpro bushings, still have them on the lower control arms for now, but have replaced them everywhere else with high quality heim joints or delrin.

 

I used the Super Pro bushings in the Rear Control Arms and Poly everywhere else. Super Pro USA lacks communication skills is a pain to deal with if I was to order more I would try to order them directly from Australia. You would probably get them faster and you might even get the right parts.

 

The bushings that should not be hard poly (or even worse, Delrin) are all eight trailing arm (i.e. dog bone) bushings plus the four bushings in the lateral camber struts (or "strut rods"). All the front suspension bushings and all the sway bar bushings can be hard urethane if you want.

 

Sorry to bring this one back from July, but as I was out driving today (and it's in the 20's here) the '96 was a LOT more squeaky than usual. I'm thinking that along with the shocks that I need, I should also replace my bushings. Here's the thing: I do NOT track my car. In fact, I'd like my car to be on the comfortable side with the firmness that one would expect from a Corvette. I don't see anyone offering rubber bushings. Are they still available? I do see a lot of discussion about Super Pro. Would this be considered a good alternative to stock bushings? Urethane is not an option because I'd like the great handling of the car without my teeth being rattled.

Thanks for any advice!

 

That's correct from what I researched. No rubber bushings available. Options from more soft to more firm are Superpro, polyurethane, delrin.

With yours being squeaky maybe they just need a good greasing. I know when replacing youre supposed to grease the crap out of them to minimize squeaks. Not sure if this is something you can do after the fact.

 

You're probably right, but since I'm basically going through the whole car, I may just spring for them. Thanks!

 

Nope.
This is definitely the best solution currently available for the least harsh ride. I think they also have the benefit of being a little easier to install than hard poly, and they have a better chance of not squeaking.

 

For what it's worth... The super pro are not rubber like. In fact, the feel almost platicky. I just installed them on my dog bones.

 

The best thing to do with the bushings, especially the Superpro bushes because they are 1 piece, whereas other brands are usually 2 piece, is to put grease fittings in.
Once the bush is in (and the Superpro stuff is harder to get in being 1 piece) drill a hole through arm and bushing (the correct size for the tap you need).
Tap thread in A arm for grease fitting.
Clean and blow out with compressed air.
Fit grease fitting and press in steel bush.
You only need to insert a small bit of grease - no more squeaks.
The Superpro steel insert fits much nicer into the chassis too.

 

great post. thank you.

for clarity, are u saying install the blue “rubberish” bush, drill a hole through the aluminum AND through the bush, tap the aluminum portion, clean with shop air, insert the steel sleeve, then pump in the grease (probably silicon grease)?

is the grease is intended to provide lube between the inner bore ofvthe bush, and the outer bore of the steel insert?

 

I would think you would need a channel to distribute the grease properly. But just my thoughts.

 

Agreed. I personally wouldn't install a zerk fitting on a bushing like this.

 

I will show you a picture of the old bushing - you can see the striations in the centre of the poly. These are there to capture the grease, the blue Superpro's have a similar thing.
The reason they are there, is because that is the rotation point.
When installing you need to lube up the outside of the poly too, otherwise you will have a terrible time trying to get the bush into the arm. In the Superpro instructions the guy says "no one likes a dry bush"



The old bush is in pretty good condition, considering its been driven on the road, and tracked for a few years. The tolerances of the Superpro are much tighter, its a single piece unit and you cannot push the steel pin in with your thumb like you can with a 2 piece unit.
the manufacturer states that the lube on the inner point is important for 2 reasons, it's there to provide lubrication of course, but you also need to maintain the lube because you have poly against steel, if the lube disappears then you have dry steel against poly - bad news and squeaky.
The other important reason is to keep moisture out of that space, if it gets in, it will cause corrosion on the steel pin - bad news and squeaky. Thats why I have grease nipples.
I understand that on the forum 5 people will give you 5 different opinions, but this is just my experience using 2 sets of poly bushings.