C5 Poly kit, help!
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Farmington UT
C5 Poly kit, help!
I recently purchased a Prothane Poly kit for my '97. I have put poly kits in a '81 G/P, an '81 Vette, and a '81 280zx (coincident that they are all '81 :crazy: )
I thought that they had a great price to benefit ratio. I bought the Prothane kit for my C5 and it looks simple enough. I have taken the control arms out and taken them to the same shop that did the other cars. For all the other cars, they only wanted $20 to remove and press in the new bushings. The shop that I normally go to didn't/wouldn't do it. I have taken it to a local "corvette" shop and they wanted like $40 for each front lower control arm, and $150 for each front upper arm! I haven't even gotten to the rear yet. Has anyone put these in before?
Is there a vendor that will do these for a reasonable price? Would anyone on the forum that has done this before recommend someone? Sheesh, I would hate to have to ship these control arms off to replace these bushings, but sacrifices must be made to accomplish radical things.
Ryan :boxing
I thought that they had a great price to benefit ratio. I bought the Prothane kit for my C5 and it looks simple enough. I have taken the control arms out and taken them to the same shop that did the other cars. For all the other cars, they only wanted $20 to remove and press in the new bushings. The shop that I normally go to didn't/wouldn't do it. I have taken it to a local "corvette" shop and they wanted like $40 for each front lower control arm, and $150 for each front upper arm! I haven't even gotten to the rear yet. Has anyone put these in before?
Is there a vendor that will do these for a reasonable price? Would anyone on the forum that has done this before recommend someone? Sheesh, I would hate to have to ship these control arms off to replace these bushings, but sacrifices must be made to accomplish radical things.
Ryan :boxing
Pro
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 713
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From: Salt Lake City UT
Re: C5 Poly kit, help! (Juddclot)
I remember seeing an article in Corvette fever a while back describing the bushing installs you are talking about. They didn't make it sound that difficult . . . Perhaps I'll try to find that mag.
Maybe I'll see ya sometime as I drive up from Salt Lake to Hill AFB
Maybe I'll see ya sometime as I drive up from Salt Lake to Hill AFB
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 746
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From: salem or
Re: C5 Poly kit, help! (Juddclot)
I've got the same for my '97. The folks at Doug Rippie Motorsports told me the easy way was to use a torch to heat up the rubber bushing, burn it a bit and it will chip out easily.
So far I haven't been brave enough to pull this all apart. So when you get yours competed, please report back or IM me. Thanks sj
So far I haven't been brave enough to pull this all apart. So when you get yours competed, please report back or IM me. Thanks sj
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 25
From: Jasper GA
Re: C5 Poly kit, help! (speedjohnson)
I had poly bushings installed as part of DRM's coilover conversion, and the major problem seemed to be getting the stock steel sleeves out of the rubber bushings. The bushings themselves were pressed out without a problem.
The solution to getting the sleeves out: set fire to the rubber with a propane torch and let it burn off!
The solution to getting the sleeves out: set fire to the rubber with a propane torch and let it burn off!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 19,944
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From: Bonneville Salt Flats
Re: C5 Poly kit, help! (marco383)
Yep, burning it out is the easy way. If like most rubber bushings it doesn't take much. The rubber on some bushings (haven't looked at the C-5) can be drilled on a bit and have it pull out.
All the best. :yesnod:
All the best. :yesnod:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 50,808
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From: Buy USA products! Check the label! Employ Americans
Re: C5 Poly kit, help! (Juddclot)
Pressing them in is no big deal. Getting the old ones old is big work. Make sure they don't bend the arms when pressing them in. They need to make a spacer out of some scrap angle which takes about 60 seconds. Grea mod on the high speed banks :thumbs:
