Rear control arm bushings

Mrapii · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 5:50 am Post subject: Rear control arm bushings

I am going to do some rear suspension upgrades on my 5th Gen Elky. I ordered rear adjustable upper control arms and boxed lower control arms with polyurethane (greasable) bushings. According to the Global West website the urethane bushings are a no-no on a street car because they don't flex enough for good handling-they bind up. I am more interested in street handling than drag strip performance. Do any of you guys have recommendations/experience? I already have Edelbrock IAS shocks, lowering springs, airbags, sway bar, 17X8 wheels with Nitto 275/55 tires and it handles way better than before but I wanted to see if I can improve it even more.
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1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe

Tommy · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 6:26 am Post subject:

I have had poly bushings for a few years now with no problems at all.
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mojowrkn · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 6:42 am Post subject:

I've had the poly bushings both front and rear for several years and love them. They did improve the cars handling and I've had no squeaking problems.
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CHVYPWR · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 7:24 am Post subject:

Run the poly on the street! It's a world of difference!
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1978 El Camino Conquista/SS, F-41 suspension, 350/T5/3:73

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87SS · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 9:33 am Post subject:

acauth1 · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:12 am Post subject: Re: Rear control arm bushings

ElkyPete · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 11:19 am Post subject:

With the Poly bushings you'll have less flex in the rear than you would with factory rubber. If that is a bad thing then Poly bushings are bad I suppose.

They could create a situation when your rear end hops a little more but doing what you are doing )and I'd suggest changing up the pinion angle a little to between 4 and 5 degrees) it should give you a bit better hook up than you have now. I think factory setting on the pinion angle is like 2 or 3. You should also consider adding a rear stabilizer.
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Mrapii · Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2004 1:57 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the help guys. I am going to go ahead and put the poly bushings on. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the 3 point rear suspension from the Buick GNX? I understand that someone makes a reproduction of that suspension and I'm assuming that it could be installed on a 5th Gen. Hot Rods to Hell also makes a 3 point suspension kit and I've seen a couple of magazine articles on installs--it looks kinda ugly but evidently works great.
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1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe

WarPony · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 8:51 am Post subject:

Hey acauth1, aren't poly urethane and poly graphite basically the same thing other than the graphite impregnated thingamastuff?
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78 El Camino SS, NECOA #395.

theelcaminofactory · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 4:34 pm Post subject:

www.kirbanperformance.com for GNX rear suspension, you must have an 8.5" rearend for it to work. Looks impressive, but when you consider the expense of an 8.5" rearend, plus the price of this kit, I think that the money could be better spent on some other setup, possibly using a 9" Ford housing. I contacted Kirban Performance about buying parts of this suspension, they were not at all helpful stating that I had to buy the entire kit. However if you already have an 8.5" rearend then hmmmm......! Cool

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Mrapii · Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2004 5:09 pm Post subject:

Mike I have never driven a GNX but in talking to someone who has he told me the difference in handling and traction compared to a four link is amazing, a Ford 9" would be stronger than my 7.5" 10 bolt but it wouldn't make the car handle or accelerate any better. Also on the web site it appears that the kit doesn't include the rear end housing, only the special cover, which is one trick piece. I don't consider the price of the kit exorbitant and if I could find a 8.5" rear axle at a reasonable price I just might do the conversion.
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1979 El Camino\r\n1955 Chevrolet Del Ray\r\n1962 Corvette\r\n1966 Corvette Coupe

427chev67 · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 4:31 pm Post subject:

Hey, Make sure to keep poly bushings greased and you will have no squeaking problems. The traction and handling are improved but the ride can be a little rougher. Of coarse to take advantage of the rear bushings you should do the front end, body bushings, frt. and rear sway bars, Qk ratio steering box, springs and fat tires. It will handle like a Vette.
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87ElCamino · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 4:46 pm Post subject:

7d8ss · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 6:41 pm Post subject:

Ernie
You must have gotten a much better set of bushings than I did. The Energy Suspension ones that I got had a grease packet that was about the size of a McDonalds ketchup pack. I couldn't "liberally" coat one bushing, none the less eight. I used Amsoils' Marine grease & haven't had a squeek yet. Jon
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87ElCamino · Posted: Sun Mar 07, 2004 7:03 pm Post subject: