polyurethane bushings for dummies (me)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: beaverton oregon
polyurethane bushings for dummies (me)
I am somewhat of a handling freak... am thinking about installing polyurethane bushings...
1. Is it worthwhile to do if the current rubber is still okay? (62,000 mi)
2. Can you do selected areas (sway bars, lower control arms) and enjoy benefit without doing the whole car?
3. Am I insane to even consider doing this myself?
Yours in Tanker Quality
1. Is it worthwhile to do if the current rubber is still okay? (62,000 mi)
2. Can you do selected areas (sway bars, lower control arms) and enjoy benefit without doing the whole car?
3. Am I insane to even consider doing this myself?
Yours in Tanker Quality
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 0
From: USA USA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
If you are mechanically inclined AND own tools you can do it!!!!
I have Energy Susp. and the CAMBER BRACE and together they ROCK!!
My 89 vert (IMO)can probably out handle the 98 in a tight turn. Granted i have base susp. in the 98. But you turn the wheel in the 89 and hang ON!! You be around that corner in no time! I am not knocking my 98( I LOVE it!)But the vert is no slouch any more!!
GET THE BUSHINGS,NO REGRETS HERE!!! I did the whole car except for sway bars front and rear.
DO IT!!!!
Matt
I have Energy Susp. and the CAMBER BRACE and together they ROCK!!
My 89 vert (IMO)can probably out handle the 98 in a tight turn. Granted i have base susp. in the 98. But you turn the wheel in the 89 and hang ON!! You be around that corner in no time! I am not knocking my 98( I LOVE it!)But the vert is no slouch any more!!
GET THE BUSHINGS,NO REGRETS HERE!!! I did the whole car except for sway bars front and rear.
DO IT!!!!
Matt
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,750
Likes: 1
From: San Jose CA
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
I did the polyurethane and have no regrets. I would do the whole car. I did half one week and the other half the second and it was pretty obvious. It made a huge handling improvement, to the point I would put it up against the 98 and feel confident it would be right there with it, if not better :yesnod:
I did it all myself. I used a three prong wheel puller to pull/push the old bushings out and install the new ones. Some guys burn them out, but that was just too messy for me. The bigger bushings can be drilled and pulled out. Search the archives there are a bunch of us that posted, how we did it or asked questions.
[Modified by Grzldvt, 9:21 PM 6/9/2003]
I did it all myself. I used a three prong wheel puller to pull/push the old bushings out and install the new ones. Some guys burn them out, but that was just too messy for me. The bigger bushings can be drilled and pulled out. Search the archives there are a bunch of us that posted, how we did it or asked questions.
[Modified by Grzldvt, 9:21 PM 6/9/2003]
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: edmonton ab
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
IMO yes go ahead and do the polyurethene bushing : trailing arms(controls arms) cross brace etc.
No complaints about change out and makes a large improvment: i used shop press to remove: just takes i little time :iagree:
No complaints about change out and makes a large improvment: i used shop press to remove: just takes i little time :iagree:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 2
From: Castro Valley Calif.
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
Jeff, I did them on my 70K Vert and I was shocked at the difference!
If you're a "handling freak", these are a must! Good luck!
If you're a "handling freak", these are a must! Good luck!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
Personally, I wouldn't do it if they don't already need replacement. I bought some, but ended up returning them. Now, I do all my own work on this car, engine, clutch, lowering etc, but replacing all the bushings is a MAJOR undertaking.
I guess if you're already jumping into it, make sure you have a breaker bar, a sledge, and SOAK all the bolts several times in the days leading up to when you start work. The steel bolts that go into the aluminum knuckles are a PITA. You might want to consider using anti-sieze on install, but DON"T use locktite on aluminum parts. :nono:
I guess if you're already jumping into it, make sure you have a breaker bar, a sledge, and SOAK all the bolts several times in the days leading up to when you start work. The steel bolts that go into the aluminum knuckles are a PITA. You might want to consider using anti-sieze on install, but DON"T use locktite on aluminum parts. :nono:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (TankerVette)
thanks for the opinions... am going to do it...
If ya get that kit and run into any probs like missing sleeves or anything, Greg Corey is ES customer service rep. Great guy and service. He'll do right by you.
Get a camber brace also!
Tank on and watch out for those icebergs :lol:
[Modified by 89 Paul in Cal, 6:31 PM 6/10/2003]
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Manhattan
Re: polyurethane bushings for dummies (89 Paul in Cal)
I also installed the ES master kit. I got the black ones and was pleasently surprised they are graphite impregnated. It took me a while, but I wasn't rushing it because my shocks were being re-valved at Bilstein.
I didn't run into many problems and mostly used a 2 prong 6" puller and an electric drill. It took me a while to figure out the rear diff carrier has an outer sleeve that needs to be removed.
I installed the washer on the front upper control arm backwards and had to cut the poly bushing out. I called ES customer support and they sent a new one out right away, at no charge. :thumbs:
BTW, I'm very happy with the stiffer shocks, poly bushings and lowered suspension. The ride is greatly improved.
I didn't run into many problems and mostly used a 2 prong 6" puller and an electric drill. It took me a while to figure out the rear diff carrier has an outer sleeve that needs to be removed.
I installed the washer on the front upper control arm backwards and had to cut the poly bushing out. I called ES customer support and they sent a new one out right away, at no charge. :thumbs:
BTW, I'm very happy with the stiffer shocks, poly bushings and lowered suspension. The ride is greatly improved.
