Poly Bushings PITA?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
Poly Bushings PITA?
Hey guys,
I am in the process of doing poly bushings on my car. Pressing out the old bushings are going well, but the kit stated that I must use the old hardware (energy suspension.) I am assuming they mean the metal caps/washer looking things and the center pins.
How the hell do you get those off? Do they sell just the pins/ends somewhere? Do I burn the rubber to get to the metal part? Wire brush?
I am in the process of doing poly bushings on my car. Pressing out the old bushings are going well, but the kit stated that I must use the old hardware (energy suspension.) I am assuming they mean the metal caps/washer looking things and the center pins.
How the hell do you get those off? Do they sell just the pins/ends somewhere? Do I burn the rubber to get to the metal part? Wire brush?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 432
From: Atlantic Beach FL.
Cut the rubber off of the end. Lube the area by the "dog bone" with Armor-all or something. Put a pry bar through one of the bolt holes and spin it out.
Last edited by Rob 02; Jan 19, 2017 at 02:21 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
..............just kidding!!
He DOES post some really good videos!
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 169
Likes: 9
i put mine in metal pan with 1/2 inch of kerosene and lit them with a torch, when its done burning all the rubber is off the inserts and its just needs a quick scuff with a abrasive pad!
Last edited by kirk tarrant; Jan 19, 2017 at 04:20 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
Thanks for the input guys, I ended up using a ball joint press kit rental (about 30 piece kit) and pressed all the bushings out. Once out, I used a razor to cut a line from end to end on the bushing so I could peel it off starting there. After, I took a torch and heated the inside metal part of the busing until it was smoking quite a bit. As soon as I took the torch off, I peeled the delaminated rubber right off. It left a black film on there, easily taken off with a wire brush on the drill!
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
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 336
Likes: 40
From: Longview WA
I have poly bushings with zerk fittings.... and bump steer.
My car drives like its on rails, however, it is very unforgiving. My coilovers probably don't help the stiffness.
If anyone is in the bay area and wants to see what it feels like I can take you for a spin.
OP - are you putting zerk fittings on yours?
My car drives like its on rails, however, it is very unforgiving. My coilovers probably don't help the stiffness.
If anyone is in the bay area and wants to see what it feels like I can take you for a spin.
OP - are you putting zerk fittings on yours?
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
inspect the front lower control arm bushings yearly. they are the most prone to wear and will not last anywhere near as long as stock. i have seen poly lower control bushings with play you could feel after only 15k miles. the rest of them.....they were fine. it's ONLY the front lower arms that seem to get hammered
the rest should have a long service life
if anyone makes hard rubber like the T1 bushings i would use those there and poly elsewhere
the rest should have a long service life
if anyone makes hard rubber like the T1 bushings i would use those there and poly elsewhere
Last edited by racebum; Jan 23, 2017 at 10:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 142
Likes: 11
I'll give ride impressions once I finish it this weekend. @derz_vette, I debated on Zerks, but the set I have is from energy suspension and all of the mounts are solid, messing with installing them was more trouble than expected and having to cut out/notch them for the grease was a task I did not want to add. If I had 2 piece bushings like some other kits, I definitely would have added the Zerks, better distribution of the grease.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,099
Likes: 1,270
From: Harbor City California
If you put in poly I would go with Zerks and notch the poly before install. Its the proper thing to do, plus you (and the next owner) will thank you for it. Much more work/time but well worth it.
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/
Last edited by American Heritage; Jan 24, 2017 at 02:33 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
