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View Full Version : Front end Bushings 57' Installation tips



The Muss
02-03-2017, 10:44 AM
Got any ? I need to replace all of the front end rubber, or whats left... I have gotten the poly kit from Danchuk, idler arm, springs . I do have access to a press but wondering if I need special tools to install bushings . Any help would be appreciated

WagonWonder
02-03-2017, 01:44 PM
https://www.danchuk.com/images/Downloads/News%20Letters/News_12.1_rebuild_upper_lower_arms.pdf And http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1955/55csm0301.html

Rick_L
02-03-2017, 01:47 PM
Do you have a shop manual? If not get one, or find it on the internet.

There's been many a bushing removed and replaced without a press or the pressing tools. But, if you do it without spacer tools like shown in the shop manual, you may distort the control arms, and when this happens it just makes things that much more difficult.

The tools are not hard to make. You can use angle or tubing. The length is not hard to figure out - they need to be short enough to fit the space and long enough not to have more than a tiny gap when in place.

Sometimes you have to remove bushings that were put in without the right tools. You should straighten any distortion the best you can. I usually use an air chisel to drive out the old outer shells. Then you can finish the straightening once the old bushings are out.

567chevys
02-03-2017, 02:08 PM
Shop manuals are on this site

www.trifivechevys.com/showthread.php/2872-1955-1957-Chevrolet-Assembly-Manuals-PDF (http://www.trifivechevys.com/showthread.php/2872-1955-1957-Chevrolet-Assembly-Manuals-PDF)

WagonWonder
02-03-2017, 02:59 PM
While very informative, the Assembly Manual doesn't give repair guidance specific to a repair but rather a finished assembly.

BamaNomad
02-03-2017, 04:02 PM
I think the Service manual (Shop Manual)6867 will provide instructions if you've never done it, but it is true you need the spacer (or make yourself one) before removing the old ones, or installing new ones... I've seen/heard of many control arms being crushed by not using them...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.X57+Chevy+ service+manual.TRS0&_nkw=57+Chevy+service+manual&_sacat=0

Rick_L
02-03-2017, 05:11 PM
The Danchuk link that wagonwonder posted is a very good article and says pretty much what I said.

Also, the link to oldcarmanualproject.com gets you the shop manual. I had seen that site had been down on another forum, good to see it back up.

I guess each has their preferences, but I like my paper copy of the shop manual, and relative to everything else you spend, it's dirt cheap.

The Muss
02-03-2017, 05:15 PM
Thanks for the input, I do have a shop manual but I like first hand , hands on smarts sometimes... Experience is a great advantage ! Poly or Rubber any thoughts ?

markm
02-04-2017, 09:10 AM
Thanks for the input, I do have a shop manual but I like first hand , hands on smarts sometimes... Experience is a great advantage ! Poly or Rubber any thoughts ?

I have heard pros and cons both ways, I think a lot depends on quality of bushings.

BamaNomad
02-04-2017, 01:57 PM
I prefer what the general designed in for street cars (rubber) as it will give you the best ride. if you are most concerned with 'maximum handling' (with the stock control arms) and don't mind a bit more roughness in ride and the squeaks which everyone says poly will provide... then poly maintains your front suspension components closest to their design position...

chevynut
02-05-2017, 07:59 AM
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.

http://powerflexusa.com/images/PowerFlex_Durometer_ShoreScales.jpg

Here's some good reading:

http://powerflexusa.com/howtochoose.aspx

http://www.spohn.net/blog/2010/04/26/tech-article-everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-polyurethane-bushings/

https://www.eeuroparts.com/blog/2120/how-to-shop-for-poly-bushings/

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/chassis-suspension/1507-everything-you-need-to-know-about-suspension-bushings-for-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.

hep1966
12-14-2017, 04:55 PM
Does anyone have the spacer pieces for sale? I want to replace my bushings soon.

NickP
12-15-2017, 07:01 AM
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.