Can anyone with some experience educate me on what the best options are for replacement bushing kits? I've seen several kits with varying prices, but I don't know what the difference is.

 

I am with Chris on this question and would also appreciate some good HONEST feedback from those who have first hand experience. With the upped HP level of the A&A kit, the rear rubber is giving me wheel hop under certain temps/traction conditions. Poly (from other vehicles I have) can be annoying and squeeky if not lubed with poly grease every year or so - so I am hoping there are better options??

b/t/w - Chris - I am subscribed to your Youtube channel and enjoy it! Please check out mine -Toys4Life C5. Of course it is mainly Corvette stuff - mods.

Ken

 

 

How long have you had them and or approximately how many miles - ballpark?

 

 

 

Vansteel will rebuild yours for a reasonable price, or rebuild yourself if you're up for it.

 

 

Just my $0.02 worth....

I've been using Polyurethane bushings in various cars that I've owned, since they first started appearing in the late 1970s. My first set was for a Firebird that I had at the time, and they were a "generic" bushing that I purchased from the former Pontiac supply house, "H-O Racing Specialties". They appeared to be a rather "stiff" composition, and while they did truly tighten up the suspension, they squeaked like crazy, after a while. And back in those days, lubrication technology hadn't yet caught up with these bushings, so the noise got annoying, with no cure.

A couple of years later, 'Energy Suspension' came along, with better product formulations, which along with better lubricants, provided a much better experience. HOWEVER, here's where I suggest being cautious. I continued to be a fan of the poly bushings, BUT living in an area where the roads are far from stellar, as tire sidewalls got shorter and shorter, the added stiffness of the poly bushing became a liability. I eventually had a Z/28 Camaro in my personal fleet, into which I installed a set of the poly bushings. The shorter, stiffer sidewalls of it's tires, combined with the non-compliance of the poly bushings, on the crappy roads, made for a bone-jarring ride. That was the first car, of many of those that I had previously installed poly bushings in, that I actually removed the poly parts from, and went back to rubber bushings.

My conclusion is yes, poly bushings do work, and do improve the suspension response, but at a price. If you live where the roads are marginal, I suggest that you think twice before installing them. If the bushings in your car have gotten "squishy", possible new rubber bushings would be a good compromise.

 

Thank you for the real world first hand experience well though out response.

We do need to seriously look at where we drive the car 99% of the time and carefully evaluate the trade offs.

 

I'm looking for what the best kit to buy is. I've read great things about the VBP kit, but VBP has apparently gone out of business recently.

What is the next best complete kit?

 

Chris, I'm following your lead on this one. I expect a YT "how to" video in the next month!

 

I'd love to get new rubber bushings. Alas, as far as I can tell, the only option for that is to get a full set of new control arms, as I have not found anyone claiming to sell rubber bushings individually that can be pressed in. And a set of new control arms is like $2200.

Do you have any better solutions for rubber bushings than I've found?