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Old 02-14-2013, 05:59 PM   #1
rs74
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Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I am going to replace the leaf spring and shackle bushings in my C10. I thought I read somewhere that the black had some sort of built in lubricant. Is this true? Or is it just a preference if someone want red or black. This is the last thing I am waiting on so I can get my order in to Summit. Okay here is the link that says the black bushings have graphite impregnated in to them.
http://www.sfxperformance.com/parts/...Suspension.asp
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Old 02-14-2013, 06:01 PM   #2
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

black is graphite impregnated, that helps keep them slick and not sqeeky. the red may be a harder durometer. not too sure about the second part though
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Old 02-14-2013, 06:04 PM   #3
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

yes some black ones do have graphite in them, but graphite or not, they will squeak unless you use a good syn. grease on them, i went red to pick up the color scheme more than squeakiness stopping ability
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Old 02-14-2013, 06:08 PM   #4
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I had planned on ordering them in black. I think they come with the grease if I am not mistaken.
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Old 02-14-2013, 06:57 PM   #5
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

the color is the only difference
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Old 02-14-2013, 07:02 PM   #6
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

PST offers the graphite impregnated ones.

Energy suspension are just black.

I prefer PST, and of the 5 sets I got for myself. None have squeaked when installed right.
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Old 02-14-2013, 07:04 PM   #7
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

Leaf springs should always keep rubber bushings when driven on the street
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Old 02-14-2013, 09:28 PM   #8
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I've been disappointed whenever I put poly anywhere other than the sway bar bushings. Even if They have jesus juice injected in them, they will eventually start to squeak. The energy suspension grease sticks really hard to everything it comes in contact with, but eventaully it wears away, then you notice faint squeaks that eventually get louder and louder and drive you bonkers.
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Old 02-14-2013, 09:38 PM   #9
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I spent 15 on extra energy suspension lube then found out the same thing about the stickyness. So, I THEN found that a lot of guys are saying they had great luck with just using standard anti seize. Going to try that
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Old 02-14-2013, 10:06 PM   #10
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

If you drill and add zerks there are no issues with squeaks but when you add them to the rear suspension they kill articulation which is bad.
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Old 02-14-2013, 11:13 PM   #11
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

i have the black i believe the only difference is color, and they do come with lube
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Old 02-14-2013, 11:15 PM   #12
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ziegelsteinfaust View Post
PST offers the graphite impregnated ones.

Energy suspension are just black.

I prefer PST, and of the 5 sets I got for myself. None have squeaked when installed right.
I really think that PST just re-boxes Energy Suspension bushings and calls it good. I did some research and apparently a lot of people get them and they have the same part numbers as the energy suspension black bushings. PST just has trademarks on polygraphite.
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Old 02-14-2013, 11:24 PM   #13
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

energy suspensions lube it like fozen peanut butter.
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Old 02-15-2013, 10:29 AM   #14
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

Let me change this up a bit. Where can I buy the rubber bushings. I wanted MOOG originally but they don't offer them right now for some reason although I have a part number for them. I have looked a couple of different places and either all they have is the poly or the rubber bushings dont have the size specs on them. And since they offer two different shackle sizes I need to know what the store is selling.
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Old 02-15-2013, 11:29 AM   #15
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

Quote:
Originally Posted by rs74 View Post
Let me change this up a bit. Where can I buy the rubber bushings. I wanted MOOG originally but they don't offer them right now for some reason although I have a part number for them. I have looked a couple of different places and either all they have is the poly or the rubber bushings dont have the size specs on them. And since they offer two different shackle sizes I need to know what the store is selling.
I bet Dorman sells the whole shackle for about the same as new bushings. They sell complete lower control arms for our trucks so I bet they do shackles too.
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Old 02-15-2013, 12:23 PM   #16
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

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Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO View Post
I really think that PST just re-boxes Energy Suspension bushings and calls it good. I did some research and apparently a lot of people get them and they have the same part numbers as the energy suspension black bushings. PST just has trademarks on polygraphite.
You read it on the web so it has to be true? Have you ever held a set of PST bushing in your hand? If so, then you would know that your research was incorrect.

Having owned a full set of PST polygraphite bushings, I can tell you that they truly are graphite impregnated. Its easy to see the difference between polygraphite and polyurethane.

I can also say that after owning a couple of sets of polyurethane bushings that were installed with antisieze, I would never own a set again.

BTW- Retrofitting grease zerks are a great way to have a really nasty greasy bushing and nothing more. There is no cavity for the grease in the bushing, so the only way to get it remotely close to where it needs to be is pump grease in until it ozoozes out everywhere.
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Old 02-15-2013, 01:09 PM   #17
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

After a bit of cat and mouse with the shackle bushing and leaf spring bushings they are on the way. I was trying to get all Moog parts since I am replacing all the steering and suspension parts up front with them. I got most of it through Summit and what they did not have or could not get I had to get the rest through Napa, O'reilly's, and JC Whitney. The only Moog part that I couldn't get was the shackle bushing and I got a Napa part for it.

The leaf spring bushings and also the lower control arm shaft kit I could only find at JC Whitney. They had the Moog parts on hand. I had to visit Moog-suspension-parts.com to get a few of the numbers. Needless to say all this on the way and hopefully nothing gets backordered.
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Old 02-15-2013, 01:18 PM   #18
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

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Originally Posted by N2TRUX View Post
You read it on the web so it has to be true? Have you ever held a set of PST bushing in your hand? If so, then you would know that your research was incorrect.

Having owned a full set of PST polygraphite bushings, I can tell you that they truly are graphite impregnated. Its easy to see the difference between polygraphite and polyurethane.

I can also say that after owning a couple of sets of polyurethane bushings that were installed with antisieze, I would never own a set again.

BTW- Retrofitting grease zerks are a great way to have a really nasty greasy bushing and nothing more. There is no cavity for the grease in the bushing, so the only way to get it remotely close to where it needs to be is pump grease in until it ozoozes out everywhere.
My energy suspension bushings have grease grooves inside them. So far they work great. The ones in my rear lowering shackle squeaked and were dry a a bone. A zerk fixed that nicely. Just have to make sure you drill all the way to the I side diameter of the bushing
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Old 02-15-2013, 01:21 PM   #19
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I was going to PST graphites for my crew cab. Went with the rubber kit from them. Don't have to save the shell's.
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Old 02-15-2013, 01:27 PM   #20
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

Now all I have to do is find some bushings for the cab and radiator support. Will be looking for rubber for them as well. I know I originally asked about Energy Suspension parts but this is the direction I ended up taking.
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Old 02-15-2013, 02:32 PM   #21
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Re: Any difference in red or black energy suspension bushings

I put them ALL OVER MY 85, Control arms, shocks, body, leaf springs, sway bar... I loved them. I used the RED, however this time, I will go with the graphite impregnated ones, although I never had SQUEEK problem with the others. Drove almost like a sports car
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