Finally figured it out

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

Thanks to the guys on on this forum, JohnAZ for sending the article on rear suspension ELEPHANT RACING Tech Topic, Polyurethane Bushings and Friction .
It turns out, after going through all the PO's records, he had Weltmeister poly-graphite bushings installed -inner/outer spring plate- and they are most definitely the source of the noise in the rear end. I like the way the car handles , but the noise has got to go! Is there anyway to make these things shut up , or do I have to bite the bullet and replace them with rubber?

krystar · 11-23-2009, 11:09 AM

wear ear plugs. no more noises

is there a grease fitting installed?

flash968 · 11-23-2009, 11:22 AM

i had delrin bushings in there, which are typically far quieter than polyurethane (graphite laden or not) - however, they made a racket no matter how much i lubed them - i tried them dry, with lithium, moly, and generic grease - no luck

i then changed to the elephant racing poly/bronze bushings - these are designed to stay lubed - they are grooved for the grease and have a grease fitting, and are shimmed to fit - MUCH better - i do still have one small squeak i am trying to track down on the driver's side, but i don't think it's those bushings - i have taken them apart and refitted them twice with no change - it sounds more metallic than those would make anyway, and it's pretty small, and only on the one side

ColoradoSteve · ColoradoSteve's Garage

Ear plugs are fine and I can always crank the stereo up high... noise is still there, though. No grease fittings. I am considering the poly/bronze, not cheap, arrrrgh