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Thread: Front end Bushings 57' Installation tips

  1. #11
    Registered Member chevynut's Avatar
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    Nov 2011

    Member #:115
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    Fort Collins, CO
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    Not all polyurethane bushings are created equal, but most are harder than rubber. I went with Polygraphite from P-S-T on my C4 suspension after reading it was less prone to squeaking. Replacement rubber bushings are NOT available for C4 Corvette applications so polyurethane is your only choice unless you're willing to go with even harder materials like Delrin.



    Here's some good reading:

    http://powerflexusa.com/howtochoose.aspx

    http://www.spohn.net/blog/2010/04/26...hane-bushings/

    https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/2120...poly-bushings/

    http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/cha...your-corvette/

    OEM Rubber

    Factory bushings are made of rubber, a natural material harvested from certain kinds of tropical trees. Rubber bushings are soft, around a 60-65 Shore A rating, and they flex and rebound as your chassis and suspension moves, exhibiting very little noise, vibration, or harshness (NVH) in the process.
    However, as mentioned in the intro, those same properties make your Corvette less responsive during serious performance driving or racing. And don’t forget that rubber is biodegradable and will break down over time.
    Polyurethane
    Unlike natural rubber, polyurethane is a man-made plastic. This material is both elastic and strong, and can be formulated to be very soft, extremely hard, or anywhere in between. Polyurethane bushing hardness usually ranges from just slightly harder than rubber (around 70-80 Shore A rating), to firm (around 80-90 Shore A rating), to very firm (around 95 Shore A to the harder Shore D rating). And unlike rubber, it’s immune to age- and contaminant-related breakdown.
    One of polyurethane’s biggest “drawbacks” is its bad reputation from decades ago. Back then, poly bushings were in their infancy: they were too hard and too harsh-riding, and they squeaked incessantly. Thankfully, today’s polyurethane is much more advanced: many street poly bushings are only marginally harder than rubber, but retain poly’s quicker response, higher load-bearing capacity, better tear strength, and stronger abrasion and contaminant resistance. Some companies offer graphite-impregnated, self-lubricated poly bushings too, but in most cases, when regular poly bushings are installed and maintained correctly, they don’t squeak anyway.
    56 Nomad, Ramjet 502, Viper 6-speed T56, C4 Corvette front and rear suspension


    Other vehicles:

    56 Chevy 2-door BelAir sedan
    56 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    57 Chevy 210 4-door sedan
    1962 327/340HP Corvette
    1961 Willys CJ3B Jeep
    2001 Porsche Boxster S
    2003 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duramax
    2019 GMC Sierra Denali Duramax

  2. #12
    Registered Member
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    Oct 2012

    Member #:964
    Location
    Warminster, Pennsylvania
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    Does anyone have the spacer pieces for sale? I want to replace my bushings soon.
    John

    56 210
    66 Chevelle

  3. #13
    Registered Member NickP's Avatar
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    Mar 2012

    Member #:1653
    Location
    De Queen, AR
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    There are several kits available that contain the needed spacers and other items required to disassemble and re-assemble your suspension but they are pretty pricy. Call your local NAPA store and ask if they have the equipment and provide the service or check with AutoZone and other part stores that rent/loan tools. You will need a press.

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