rear suspension bushings

[2yellow69]

I really want to replace the leaf springs on my 69 camaro but just don't have the moola. So I'm thinking of just doing the bushings. Who has used what brand and what do you recommend. Should I use rubber, polyeurethane, or Global West's Del-a-lum?

Thanks,
Matt

[79T/Aman]

how old are the leaf springs if they are the original ones the cost of bushings and labor will cost you about as much as getting new ones, and use rubber in the front eye and you can use more of a solid type in the rear shackel

[Ranaexcavating]

how old are the leaf springs if they are the original ones the cost of bushings and labor will cost you about as much as getting new ones, and use rubber in the front eye and you can use more of a solid type in the rear shackel

Why do you suggest rubber in the front eye instead of the Poly's? I just replaced all of them with the Poly's.

[2yellow69]

They have about 75k miles on them. I forgot to say they were multi-leaf. I am also curious why you recommend rubber in the front. I'll be doing the labor so there's no cost there.

Thanks,
Matt

[Ranaexcavating]

They have about 75k miles on them. I forgot to say they were multi-leaf. I am also curious why you recommend rubber in the front. I'll be doing the labor so there's no cost there.

Thanks,
Matt
Matt

I used Energy Suspension bushings and the suspension is rock solid ... side to side. I also used the heavy duty shackle kit that they have. I would suggest that you do that as well. They are made of a much heavier steel. Do you know if the springs or spring mount (front) have ever been removed? If not I would suggest getting a new set of J-nuts for the 6 bolts that hold the front spring mounts. Many times the nuts that are spot welded to the j-clip are rusted to the bolt and break when you try to remove them. It happened to me and I wound up grinding the head of the bolts off in order to remove the mounts and get to the clips. You should also replace the leaf spring isolators. Good luck!

[79T/Aman]

the reason you want rubber in the front spring eye is to allow for the rear suspension to articulate as the suspension moves through its travel range, and it binds this is the reason why your car feels tight "rock solid" but unfortunatly not in a good way and this is also the reason why Global West came out with their cat5 system now you may never push your car far enough to find out the ill effects but I feel that it's not worth the risk.

[Ranaexcavating]

the reason you want rubber in the front spring eye is to allow for the rear suspension to articulate as the suspension moves through its travel range, and it binds this is the reason why your car feels tight "rock solid" but unfortunately not in a good way and this is also the reason why Global West came out with their cat5 system now you may never push your car far enough to find out the ill effects but I feel that it's not worth the risk.

I understand exactly what you are referring to. In my case I installed the bushings to make sure I had no lateral movement avoiding any wheelwell interference with my tire and wheel combination without a mini tub.

Thanks for the clarification.

Joe

[79T/Aman]

no problem, I'm glad to see understanding on how it works