Best bushings ? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

DCRANER · 01-06-2005, 06:26 PM

I am in the process of planning a suspension rebuild. I will start with the DJM tubular upper & lower control arms which come with polyurathane bushings, bumpstops, and new ball joints. By adding new stock height coils I will have a 3" front drop. I will also be getting new rear 4" drop Westin Leaf Springs which come with polyurathane bushings. So, I don't need a big complete bushing kit to complete the job.

With all of the above I just need, I think, bushings for sway bar and end links. I am missing something obvious?, and which is the best choice manufacturer. I like the Energy Suspension new greasable sway bar bushings.

By the way, I just changed my stock Tq. Converter with a Hughes 3000 Stall, it is as if I added a NOS shot, what a difference. Can't wait until spring to get back to the track now.

Thanks.

Slonaker · 01-06-2005, 07:23 PM

I like the idea of the greaseable bushings, but I have had my $3.99 a pair urethane bushings in my truck for about two years with no problems. For $8 you can replace all 4. Not too bad.

I was looking for rubber ones, so I went to all the local stores. I started with the place that sells Moog stuff, because that is my preference. They did not have rubber, and neither did anyone else. All of the urethane bushings appeared to be identical, so I went with the cheapest.

Slonaker

MylilBowTie · 01-06-2005, 08:02 PM

Did you replace your pitman arm when you rebuilt your front end Slonaker?

Slonaker · 01-06-2005, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MylilBowTie

Did you replace your pitman arm when you rebuilt your front end Slonaker?

That's the one on the steering box, right? Yes, I did. I used a Moog part. Why?

Slonaker

MylilBowTie · 01-07-2005, 04:38 AM

Just wondering how you did it and kept it in alignment with that part itself. I know it needs aligned after the front parts are installed but I'm talking about just the pitman arm itself. Yes that is the one that connects to the steering box and center link. I have never installed any front suspension parts at all other than coil springs and shocks. I bought all the moog parts that were at the store. Moog, ACdelco, and some other one that I cant think of. I was told moogs plant burnt down or something like that and that acdelco and spicer have been used for moog now. Im not sure how true that is but I got all the best parts I could get.

Slonaker · 01-07-2005, 10:49 AM

If you are asking how to align the part with the steering box, it only fits one way. It is hard to tell with the nut still on, but the splines are shaped in a way that will prevent you from putting it on wrong.

BTW, buy, borrow, or rent a pitman arm puller. My auto parts store told me they did not have one to buy or borrow, and I broke several other types of pullers getting mine off. I went back to the auto parts store, and asked to look through their loaner tools. They did have a pitman arm puller. The guy didn't know what it was so, of course, he was sure they didn't have one.

With the right tool it comes off pretty easy. The nut is tightened to 150 or 175 ft lbs, or something like that, so an impact wrench might help a lot.

BTW, I used swervin's article to do mine, and it was very helpful.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...n/frontend.htm

PM me if you have any questions so that we don't derail this other guys thread any more than we have.

Slonaker

Slonaker

01-06-2005, 06:26 PM	#1
DCRANER Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlantic Highlands, N.J. Posts: 139	Best bushings ? I am in the process of planning a suspension rebuild. I will start with the DJM tubular upper & lower control arms which come with polyurathane bushings, bumpstops, and new ball joints. By adding new stock height coils I will have a 3" front drop. I will also be getting new rear 4" drop Westin Leaf Springs which come with polyurathane bushings. So, I don't need a big complete bushing kit to complete the job. With all of the above I just need, I think, bushings for sway bar and end links. I am missing something obvious?, and which is the best choice manufacturer. I like the Energy Suspension new greasable sway bar bushings. By the way, I just changed my stock Tq. Converter with a Hughes 3000 Stall, it is as if I added a NOS shot, what a difference. Can't wait until spring to get back to the track now. Thanks. __________________ 86 GMC SWB, DK. BLUE, ZZ430,TH400, 4.11'S, HEADMAN CERAMIC HEADERS, WELD BILLETS, BFG 275 / 60 / 15, 325 / 50 / 15 DRAG RADIALS, FIBERGLASS COWL HOOD, B&M SHIFTER. MSD, MARCH PULLEYS / ALT. / PWR. STEER PUMP, BECOOL RAD., BILLET GRILL & GRANT WHEEL.

01-06-2005, 07:23 PM	#2
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	I like the idea of the greaseable bushings, but I have had my $3.99 a pair urethane bushings in my truck for about two years with no problems. For $8 you can replace all 4. Not too bad. I was looking for rubber ones, so I went to all the local stores. I started with the place that sells Moog stuff, because that is my preference. They did not have rubber, and neither did anyone else. All of the urethane bushings appeared to be identical, so I went with the cheapest. Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

01-06-2005, 08:02 PM	#3
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Did you replace your pitman arm when you rebuilt your front end Slonaker? __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

01-07-2005, 04:38 AM	#5
MylilBowTie Right turn Clyde Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 2,911	Just wondering how you did it and kept it in alignment with that part itself. I know it needs aligned after the front parts are installed but I'm talking about just the pitman arm itself. Yes that is the one that connects to the steering box and center link. I have never installed any front suspension parts at all other than coil springs and shocks. I bought all the moog parts that were at the store. Moog, ACdelco, and some other one that I cant think of. I was told moogs plant burnt down or something like that and that acdelco and spicer have been used for moog now. Im not sure how true that is but I got all the best parts I could get. __________________ 1974 C25 LWB: 454 4bbl Carb / TH400 / 3.73 1992 Camaro RS 305 TBI

01-07-2005, 10:49 AM	#6
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	If you are asking how to align the part with the steering box, it only fits one way. It is hard to tell with the nut still on, but the splines are shaped in a way that will prevent you from putting it on wrong. BTW, buy, borrow, or rent a pitman arm puller. My auto parts store told me they did not have one to buy or borrow, and I broke several other types of pullers getting mine off. I went back to the auto parts store, and asked to look through their loaner tools. They did have a pitman arm puller. The guy didn't know what it was so, of course, he was sure they didn't have one. With the right tool it comes off pretty easy. The nut is tightened to 150 or 175 ft lbs, or something like that, so an impact wrench might help a lot. BTW, I used swervin's article to do mine, and it was very helpful. http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/chas...n/frontend.htm PM me if you have any questions so that we don't derail this other guys thread any more than we have. Slonaker Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

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