Suspension Question
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Suspension Question
My 87's stock shocks are shot and i am planning to replace them with Bilsteins. My question is should i go ahead and replace the stock rubber bushing with polly while i am in there. the bushings holding the controll arms look pretty tore up. thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
If the bushings are 'tore-up'... that should be an obvious answer. I'm a believer of doing as much during a mod as possble. There isn't much sense to pull the front end of the car apart and not replace 'easy to get to items.' When it comes time to do those items later... you have to completely dissassemble everything again.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Poly bushing in the control arms might give you a harsher ride. Unless you use the car for autocross or track days, I would stick with OEM-style control arm bushings. You can go with poly bushing in the sway bars to improve handling. Be sure to do the rear sway bar bushings at the same time as worn-out rear bar bushings and new front ones will change handling characteristics.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 285
Likes: 0
From: Loganville Ga
Absolutely! I did mine and lowered the car at the same time so I couldn't tell exactly which had a greater effect but the ride is only a little bumpier. In fact, my dad that doesn't ride in the car everyday could not notice a difference. By installing the poly, the movement that the stock rubber allows, will be transferred to the components that are designed to (shocks,springs, etc) and while its not much, every little bit goes into making the whole better. Besides, if you plan on doing the job yourself, I think poly would be easier since the stock rubber are all one piece bushings.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Poly bushing in the control arms might give you a harsher ride. Unless you use the car for autocross or track days, I would stick with OEM-style control arm bushings. You can go with poly bushing in the sway bars to improve handling. Be sure to do the rear sway bar bushings at the same time as worn-out rear bar bushings and new front ones will change handling characteristics.
