Suspension Bushings

[Mike M]

I know the front A arm bushings are not available from the factory, but I need to know what you guys use for replacements
when replacing these bushings. Which type are closest to the factory bushings? I don't want squeaky plastic bushings.I called Pelican this morning but the guy couldn't tell me exactly what the
bushings they sell were made of.
What do you guys suggest? Car is a 69S.
Thanks in advance....

[marcesq]

At one time Weltmiester was talking about making a netrix bushing for the front A arms, but I think they bagged the plan.

That would leave only plastic bushings which require either plastic lube or installation of grease zerks and channeling the bushings. There might be a tech article on this. I am sure there is a thread on the zerk install. Search for "zerk"

I used Welt street plastic with aqua lube. So for so good.

Good luck.

[APKhaos]

The original 'performance' nylon bushings were extremely hard and noisy. This is great for track use where the stiffness helps and a few squeaks literally get lost in the noise.

The newer street hardness polyurethane bushings are far more compliant, and less harsh. They don't squeak. Bear in mind that good performance from any non-rubber bushing depends on lubrication. Chuck Moreland started a great thread on this subject - a seach will find it.

The short story is that a quality installation includes grooving the bush and/or its housing to allow grease to propogate, and adding a zerk fitting to allow fresh grease to be applied. Once a year is enough, unless you are operating in extreme conditions.

FWIW, my car was far smoother and less harsh with street poly bushings all round that it was with tired, chopped out, deformed factory rubber bushings. And no squeaks.....so far.

Go for it!

Ahhh.... I see my learned friend has said as much. Great minds...

[89911]

If done right, the bushing are not that bad. Most of the noise is from the increased stress on the hinged areas from the closer tolerances as opposed to the sloppy old rubber bushings. If you have your original bushings, you will see that they are shot. You can fit zirc fittings in the polyurethane bushings also if you concerned about regreasing.

[Chuck Moreland]

Here's the new hot ticket:



I just released these. They are bronze bearings which have built in relubrication capability and no squeaks.

Plus they are easy to install. Unlike the poly bushings that require custom lathe work to fit properly, these puppies fit right out of the box.

More detail in this thread:
Suspension Bushings - A new chapter, here's the pictures

You can get them from Pelican but they're not in the online ordering system yet. You need to call and specify they are the new bronze bearings from Elephant Racing.

[dickster]

don't smart racing sell oe ones??

[89911]

Nobody sells OE A arm bushings. They way they are made and fiited to the a arms would be impossible to duplicate. (You will see after removing these buggers) my attempt to use English slang to further our communication!

[dickster]

LOL, very good

oi, you cheeky git, you taking the p*ss outa the way i talk geezer?

its ok, i understand the american language (though not the logic behind it!!) - god knows its taking over the english language!!