Suspension bushings wear out. Those unsightly, cracked control-arm bushings are not only ugly but can degrade the performance of your suspension. In worst-case scenarios, they can even be dangerous, changing the angle to the suspension, which causes poor or total loss of control. For those looking to replace these bushings and increase the performance handling of their Corvettes, polyurethane bushings are a great answer. According to Energy Suspension, using polyurethane instead of rubber components on Corvettes can improve performance, and provide greater durability and a custom appearance.
Energy Suspension offers bushings for Corvettes from '53 to new. Changing to polyurethane quickens the response time of the suspension. Rather than having to compress the rubber bushing before the component moves, polyurethane bushings compress less, but provide insulation from road noise and engine vibration. In addition, they are impervious to heat, road salts, and other things that destroy rubber bushings and don't take a "set," retaining their original shape over their lifetime.
Installation of polyurethane bushings requires most of the same tools used to install replacement rubber bushings. The bushing kits are preferred, and include detailed step-by-step instructions. According to Energy Suspension, installation takes from 11/42 to 4 hours, depending on the product.
Corvette owners have complained about the squeak emitted by polyurethane bushings when dry. According to Energy Suspension, it's important to lubricate the bushings with Formula 5 Prelube, which comes with each kit. In addition, Energy Suspension has impregnated selected polyurethane components with graphite to add lubrication. Both red and black polyurethane components are engineered differently than OEM rubber components, with a free-floating and non-binding design. This allows for the additional durometer (firmness) of the components, which adds to the performance ability of the bushing. For custom applications, high "firmness" bushings are available. While most restoration fanatics prefer not to call attention to the polyurethane but achieve the benefits, Energy Suspension bushings are offered in red for custom applications and black for those who desire the original appearance.
More Than BushingsPolyurethane bushings can be built for any suspension but go far beyond just control-arm and sway-bar bushings. Anything made of rubber in your car can be replaced with high-performance, quick-reacting polyurethane, including motor mounts and rear trailing-arm bushings. Best of all, unlike race-car solid-mount steel-bushing systems, polyurethane provides isolation from vibration.
Bushing mounts offered by Energy Suspension:Body mountsBumpstopsC-bushings, radius, and track arm bushingsControl-arm bushingsLeaf-spring bushingsMaster bushing setsMotor mountsMotor-mount insertsRear trailing-arm bushingsShock bushingsShock and stabilizer bootsStrut-rod bushingsSway-bar and end-link bushingsTie-rod and ball-joint bootsTransmission mounts
Specialized Corvette-specific parts:'63-'96 Rear end-link bushing only, PN 3.8101'84-'96 Rack-and-pinion bushing set, PN 3.10101'63-'82 Power-steering ram bushing set, PN 3.10102'84-'96 Differential carrier bushing set, PN 3.1103'80-'82 Differential carrier bushing set, PN 3.1104'63-'82 Differential pinion-mount grommet set, PN 3.1101
The product is not sold directly to consumers. Call Energy Suspension Customer Service for a dealer near you.