Do you have a sticky/squeaky suspension???

[jeffandre]

If your suspension sticks/squeaks/binds, follow this advice: I replaced my urethane control arm bushings with del-a-lum's from GW, even though I had to custom machine them to fit my arms, it was well worth it. With the sway bar removed, the front suspension moves so well it is amazing. The GW bushings mods took about 10 hours.

I connected the sway bar, with its urethane bar to frame bushings and all that smoothness was gone. With no money for a new bar with real bushings (Speedway Engineering), I decided to install grease fittings on the bushing brackets, and carve grease channels into the insides of the bushings where they contact the bar.

On reassembly, I used a lot of poly bushings lube on the bushing parts that contact the bushing brackets and frame, and a lot of grease on the inside of the bushing. Once bolted up, the sway bar moved smoothly with no squeaks and the suspension travels fantastic. What a difference!!!

Totally worth doing! The sway bar work took about 3 hours, using a drill, tap for the Zerk fitting, and a small razor knife setup to carve the channels into the inside of the bushings. I used a very small disc on my drill that barely fit into the bushing and drilled a radial channelf or the lube to move from the grease point into the bushing, then used the razor knife to carve 8 separate lateral channels, stopping each channel about 0.25 inches from the edge of the bushing.

[carguy502]

I am running th poly bushings and was contemplating the del-a-lim conversions. does it add to ride harshness when compared to poly bushings?

[MrQuick]

Hey Jeff,

good tips. I like to run zerks on most of my poly stuff. I bought an Energy suspension grease tube and gun at a goodguys show many moons back. Reminds me im need a new refill.

You going on the 10th & 11th?

The dels do change the feel of the ride but its worth it. I call it a harshness but that really depends on what you are comparing it too. I guess you can say you feel changes in the road conditions quick.
Most of the people I've installed for do mention a harsness compared to stock or poly but then others don't. After a while you don't even notice it.

[79T/Aman]

harshness is not the right term to use, with a free moving suspension pivot points you will get more suspension travel because the binding is gone and does not add resistance to the spring and shock as does rubber bushings but they are designed to work that way poly bushings just bind and adds resistance Ihave many customers that have reported smoother ride after installing control arms with solid free moving bushings, but you will get better road feel.

[jeffandre]

You going on the 10th & 11th?

No, throwing a 50th b-day party for my wife on the 10th and sleeping in and relaxing on the 11th before starting my 4 day shifts (that week is tough, 4 12 hour shifts, and everybody wanting to do all their work and testing on day shifts during the week).

You still at the same number?

[jeffandre]

I am running th poly bushings and was contemplating the del-a-lim conversions. does it add to ride harshness when compared to poly bushings?

I ran solid bushings with my stock control arms for years and loved them, and I expect the GW's to be the same. I felt the subtle nuances fo the road much better, but once you get used to it, it is tough to consider going back. Plus the suspension can react faster to road imperfections since the binding is minimized.