as i have the master kit on the way.
Help with Poly bushings
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Stanfield NC
Help with Poly bushings
I am doing a complete rear end poly bushing install on my 88. I bought the complete kit from Energy Suspension along with the tub of their special grease and, with one exception, things have gone well. Getting the old parts off and the old bushings out were no worse than expected, but I ran into a problem installing the lower control arm with the new bushings.
My car uses two different size bushings, with a larger bolt on the hub end. The fit between the "ears" of the hub is so extremely tight that the only way the get it into it's prober location was with the BIG hammer.
Results were predictable and the bushijng tore during installation. 
Energy Suspension is cool and will send a replacement bushing for that control arm, but the car is down for a few days.
How do I prevent this from happening again? Any body out there who has done this have any tips or tricks?
My car uses two different size bushings, with a larger bolt on the hub end. The fit between the "ears" of the hub is so extremely tight that the only way the get it into it's prober location was with the BIG hammer.
Results were predictable and the bushijng tore during installation. Energy Suspension is cool and will send a replacement bushing for that control arm, but the car is down for a few days.How do I prevent this from happening again? Any body out there who has done this have any tips or tricks?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Is there any way to press the bushing on using a C-clamp and large socket say?
Can ES provide any hints on installation of the more difficult pieces?
Make sure the metal pieces are totally clean and smooth.
Can ES provide any hints on installation of the more difficult pieces?
Make sure the metal pieces are totally clean and smooth.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Anaheim
Me too. I've got the parts for my '85. I just haven't started on the rear yet. Make sure you use that special "grease" on the poly bushings. I replaced my front anti-sway bar bushings with the poly and thought I greased them enough, but I get a little squeeking when I go over the high speed bumps in the parking lots.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Stanfield NC
Thanks for the thoughts 65Z01. 
All of the parts shined like a new penny before installation. I tried vise grips, large pliers and c-clamps but nothing seemed to compress the bushing enough. Assembly was about 3/32 too large for opening. I am wondering if I used too much of their grease and had a build up between the shoulder of the bushing and the control arm. I squeezed everything in a press, to remove excess, but this is the only logical thought I have come up with. I wll talk to Energy Suspension on Monday and post any ideas they may have on this thread.
All of the parts shined like a new penny before installation. I tried vise grips, large pliers and c-clamps but nothing seemed to compress the bushing enough. Assembly was about 3/32 too large for opening. I am wondering if I used too much of their grease and had a build up between the shoulder of the bushing and the control arm. I squeezed everything in a press, to remove excess, but this is the only logical thought I have come up with. I wll talk to Energy Suspension on Monday and post any ideas they may have on this thread.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 2
From: Southern England
Ive just installed a complete set on my 90 ZR1 and found cutting off one face of the rubber ,then drilling the rubber with a small bit to create as many holes as possible around the sleeve before using a bigger bit to take the holes out more,then i could grip the centre sleeve and twist it out,the rubber then can be forced out.
I gently wire wooled and polished the area before refitting the poly bushes,ifound it easier to put the 2 halves in then fit the centre collar (if the collar meets any resistance i used a G-clamp to wind it home),greasing up the bushes the collar and the bush faces before working the camber bar into its diff coupling.
Hope this helps guys.
I gently wire wooled and polished the area before refitting the poly bushes,ifound it easier to put the 2 halves in then fit the centre collar (if the collar meets any resistance i used a G-clamp to wind it home),greasing up the bushes the collar and the bush faces before working the camber bar into its diff coupling.
Hope this helps guys.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 792
Likes: 1
From: Stanfield NC
I spoke with ES this morning about the problem and getting replacement bushings. THESE ARE GOOD PEOPLE! The only thought their tech guy could come up with was the possabillity of a hydraulic lock or preasure caused by an excess of grease. They will supply 6 bushings ( I only asked for 4) at no cost.
It is really nice to see that there are some companies out there who still understand the definition of Customer Service.
The only thought their tech guy could come up with was the possabillity of a hydraulic lock or preasure caused by an excess of grease. They will supply 6 bushings ( I only asked for 4) at no cost.It is really nice to see that there are some companies out there who still understand the definition of Customer Service.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 12,832
Likes: 210
From: Canton GA
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'10-'11-'12
I ran into the same problem I think. This may sound stupid, but turn the control arm around. It will fit. After beating on it for an hour, I realized the way the new bushings go in, the control arm needs to be turned around. Try it.