Del-A-Lum bushings

[67 caprice]

Del-A-Lum bushings. Are they worth it?
I need to change my upper control arm Bushings. I was looking for some opinions on these. They only come with the tubular upper control arms and are a bit costly.
The Caprice is mostly street driving with a occasional trip to the track. Looking for more high speed stability.

[68Formula]

Usually tubular control arms are dialed in with more caster, which will significantly improve that high speed stability. Add to that del-a-lum (GW brand name) or Delrin style bushings and you have a nice handling package without killing the ride.

[hotrodf1]

For a alternate to the Del-Alums you might check out the bushing section over at Afco racings site. They make some "lightweight" bushings, which are like Del-A-lums I think, and also some regular bushings that are I think steel, with grease zerks. They list the sizes and such but don't have much of a list as far as what applications they fit. You might have to do a little measuring and make your own conclusions.

I believe the bushings serve two purposes mainly: 1) they offer much less "stiction" than other bushings, letting the springs and shocks more accurately control the wheel/suspension movement (they go great with reduced effort ball joints, which Afco also has!)and 2) they are more rigid which allows the suspension geometry to remain consistent no matter the loading on the wheel (around corners the rubber / poly bushings will flex some, which changes your susp. geo.). I guess another benefit is that they take engine heat better than rubber and I would think would last must longer for you.

[bochnak]

I was considering the steel bushings from AFCO as well. It turns out they are not recommended for street cars. I heard if you hold them up to a light, you can see light through the inner and outer that rotate against each other. In other words the tolerances are looser than that of Del-a-lum’s.

Already mentioned, find out how much positive caster you are running now and try to add more if under +5.5°. Hopefully the stock arms will be able to achieve that much.

[megaladon6]

what about for lower control arms on a street car? there's no longer any flex on impact with a pothole or rock. that energy has to go somewhere. could it screw up the LCA or the frame? i'm looking to get the del-a-lum's for my monte (i was just about to post my own thread!) but am unsure if this is the best option for the street or if i should just use poly or something else.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I've used both poly-graphite and Del-A-Lums. I'll tell my condensed stories and let you decide on your own.

69 Camaro with poly's and stock 327# springs. Stock upper and lower a-arms. Rode rough even with stock shocks. Had almost no compression when you pushed down on the fender.

84 Cutlass with 702# IROC springs and DAL bushings in stock upper and lower control arms. Rode good. Lets the springs and shocks do what they are designed to do...move and absorb bumps.

I bought the GW bushings for the Camaro then sold car. Bought the GW upper arms when I decided on the C5/F-body spindle and brake swap.

Doug

[NOT A TA]

I installed the Del A Lums in stock upper and lower arms in my Firebird. Tubular arms weren't available yet. The car also has Hotchkis springs, swaybars, and Bilsteins. Car has been used for drags,HPDE/open track days,high speed at ECTA as well as street. I'm very happy with them. I think you could probably get the Del-A-Lums without buying arms.

[bochnak]

I really wanted to buy Del-A-ums for my chevelle. The problem is they do not offer an oval bushing for the rear hole in the LCA. I went with stock rubber for the lowers in hopes of buying the new lowers from SC&C one day. I went with SPC uppers which have zero deflection bushings.

[Marcus SC&C]

Delalums are darn good bushings. Keep the well greased and they`ll last just about forever too. That said they won`t really do anything to help high speed stability. That`s more of an alignment issue.
Just FYI even the Afco "lightweight" nylon bushed bushings aren`t well suited to the street. The bushings are a loose fit in the housings and they have no nylon thrust washers so they ride steel on steel with the frame. Not a big deal on a circle track car that`ll get put into a wall and replaced sooner or later but a bigger deal on a street car you intend to keep nice. Mark SC&C

[jackfrost]

i've had del-a-lum's in my 442, and i love 'em. i think road feel is better, but not any harsher. potholes and such are absorbed by springs/shocks, not your bushings.

[6'9"Witha69]

Del-a-lum uppers and lowers and love them. I have more free bump and rebound versus the Poly plus a more stable feel in the corners.

[megaladon6]

thanks for your advice. i think i'll try 'em. right now i just need a set of bushings for my 87 monte's LCA's (i will be getting the AFX kit with uppers from SC&C later this year). what's a good place to go to? hey marcus, how come you guys don't carry them?

[86Cutlass383SR]

The ONLY place to get "Del-A-Lum" bushings is here: www.globalwest.net (http://www.globalwest.net) You can call Doug Norrdin @ Phone: Toll Free 1-877-470-2975

I didn't see the bushings themselves listed but I do know they sell them....I bought some from them for my stock upper and lower arms. When I started gathering parts for my C5 brake swap, I never thought twice and got the GW upper arms. Can't wait to get my 17" wheels so I can get it all installed.

Other companies make an alum or steel type bushing simular to the DAL's...are they any better than DAL's? Dunno, but I'm not givin up my DAL's to find out either!!!

Doug (not the same Doug as listed above)

[67 caprice]

Ok I'm Sold. Does anyone know where I can get a good deal. $624.55 Pr Seems pricey.
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


http://www.globalwest.net/1965-70%20Impala%20Front%20upper%20control%20arms%20cta-50a.htm

[6'9"Witha69]

Jegs sells the GW stuff cheaper but don't appear to have the CTA-50A online. Maybe call jegs.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I was under the understanding you was wanting just the bushings for your stock arms. If so, when I bought mine several years ago they were about $90 - $100 for both top bushings and about the same for the bottom bushings.

BTW, they press in just like stock bushings.

Doug

[67 caprice]

I was under the understanding you was wanting just the bushings for your stock arms. If so, when I bought mine several years ago they were about $90 - $100 for both top bushings and about the same for the bottom bushings.

BTW, they press in just like stock bushings.

Doug
I was told by G.W. they don't sell the bushings or Control arm shafts for my Car. Only the complete kit. Nothing separate.

[hotrodf1]

I was told by G.W. they don't sell the bushings or Control arm shafts for my Car. Only the complete kit. Nothing separate.

How convienent! :rolleyes:

[hotrodf1]

Delalums are darn good bushings. Keep the well greased and they`ll last just about forever too. That said they won`t really do anything to help high speed stability. That`s more of an alignment issue.
Just FYI even the Afco "lightweight" nylon bushed bushings aren`t well suited to the street. The bushings are a loose fit in the housings and they have no nylon thrust washers so they ride steel on steel with the frame. Not a big deal on a circle track car that`ll get put into a wall and replaced sooner or later but a bigger deal on a street car you intend to keep nice. Mark SC&C

Thanks for the info there! I didn't know that. What kind of bushing are in the SPC adjustable arms (for camaro)? They are made for street cars right?

if only my wife would have bought me those for Valentine's Day. :6gears:

[Marcus SC&C]

The adj. uppers use either greasable metallic or high durometer rubber (your choice). My preference is actually for the greasable "race style" bushings. That term is really misleading. They ARE great race bushings because they move very freely and have zero deflection but SPC holds them to much tighter tolerances than most of the industry and they have excellent street manners and hold up really well. We have one set with over 70,000 real street miles (rain or shine,snow etc.) on them and no measurable wear at all. The ride is nice too,since they don`t bind the suspension it moves very smoothly and soaks up the bumps better. Our new SPC tubular lower arms come std. with greasable delrin bushings standard. Mark SC&C

[Tony_SS]

Marcus, do you have anymore info/pics on the new lower tubular arms? Price for a g-body?

Whats the difference between Delrin and Del-A-Lum?

Also is SPC ever going to do a tubular upper?

[6'9"Witha69]

Marcus, do you have anymore info/pics on the new lower tubular arms? Price for a g-body?

Whats the difference between Delrin and Del-A-Lum?

Also is SPC ever going to do a tubular upper?The 'Del' in Del-A-Lum is for Delrin. The bushing consists of Delrin and Aluminum. Two seperate materials are used so they do not gall each other causing premature wear.

[HectorM52]

Marcus, do you have anymore info/pics on the new lower tubular arms? Price for a g-body?

Whats the difference between Delrin and Del-A-Lum?

Also is SPC ever going to do a tubular upper?
Here are some pics of the G-Body arms...

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/01/IMG_2162sized-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2747sized-1.jpg


https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/02/IMG_2748sized-1.jpg

[jackfrost]

oooh... i want some. :drool:

how much are they?

[86Cutlass383SR]

Those are nice...they'd match my GW upper pretty nicely. I'd be interested if they weren't too pricey.

Doug

[megaladon6]

same here, but i can't find a thing on them.

[BonzoHansen]

On my Z I have stock LCAs with GW delalum bushings & howe tall LBJs, and SPC uppers with greasable steel bushings from S&C (and hotchkiss tvs setup). Ride is tremendous, zero adverse NVH impact. Love it. I can't imagine a more price effective/bang for the buck setup for a street car.

[HectorM52]

oooh... i want some. :drool:

how much are they?
$550 plus the bumpstops are additional.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I agree with you Bonzo...I think I'll keep my stock LCA' which already have GW bushings in them.

Doug

[Tony_SS]

I agree with you Bonzo...I think I'll keep my stock LCA' which already have GW bushings in them.

Doug

I think I might go the same route... Those are nice, but I just can't justify the cost.

[HectorM52]

Marcus told me that they actually are beneficial to handling as well. That was the final selling point for me...

[hotrodf1]

The adj. uppers use either greasable metallic or high durometer rubber (your choice). My preference is actually for the greasable "race style" bushings. That term is really misleading. They ARE great race bushings because they move very freely and have zero deflection but SPC holds them to much tighter tolerances than most of the industry and they have excellent street manners and hold up really well. We have one set with over 70,000 real street miles (rain or shine,snow etc.) on them and no measurable wear at all. The ride is nice too,since they don`t bind the suspension it moves very smoothly and soaks up the bumps better. Our new SPC tubular lower arms come std. with greasable delrin bushings standard. Mark SC&C

Thanks for the info! I need to save up my pennies and sell some stuff.

[86Cutlass383SR]

Other than being stiffer, I don't understand how these lower arm could be any better than stock arms with GW bushings in them. Maybe box your stock lower arms and how much better would the tubular ones be? Asking for my own curiousity... :dunno:

Doug

[megaladon6]

x2 my cars suspension is bone stock and pretty worn out. so do i buy the d-a-l's for my stock arms and maybe wind up getting the tubular arms later (and spending more) or just get the tube arms and be done with it. this is on top (actually below) the AFX spindles i will be getting. money is definately an issue but i hate doing things twice.

i asked this earlier but worded it badly, if i hit a pothole (or whatever) and the force wants to push the LCA back (even at an angle there is still a horizontal vector), the stock/poly bushings have that little bit of flex to absorb it. what happens with the D-A-L's since there is no play? now the force is going into the plastic sleeve or the mounting brackets.

[68Formula]

x2 my cars suspension is bone stock and pretty worn out. so do i buy the d-a-l's for my stock arms and maybe wind up getting the tubular arms later (and spending more) or just get the tube arms and be done with it. this is on top (actually below) the AFX spindles i will be getting. money is definately an issue but i hate doing things twice.

i asked this earlier but worded it badly, if i hit a pothole (or whatever) and the force wants to push the LCA back (even at an angle there is still a horizontal vector), the stock/poly bushings have that little bit of flex to absorb it. what happens with the D-A-L's since there is no play? now the force is going into the plastic sleeve or the mounting brackets.

The a-arm will translate that to a rotational motion, requiring the shock absorber to dissipate the energy.

[Tony_SS]

Other than being stiffer, I don't understand how these lower arm could be any better than stock arms with GW bushings in them. Maybe box your stock lower arms and how much better would the tubular ones be? Asking for my own curiousity... :dunno:

Doug

To use Marcus' terms, the arms just 'connect the dots'. To my knowledge, the arms themselves don't improve handling.

[86Cutlass383SR]

I didn't think the lower ones would, however, I did pop for the GW tubular uppers. I had the GW bushings in both stock upper and lower arms but had to go to the GW uppers for the f/b-body spindle swap.

Doug

[Tony_SS]

Doug, I can see where you needed the GW upper... but for me, running LS1 brakes on a stock spindle, I dont have a need for any aftermarket arms.

Are poly bushings really that bad?

[terryr]

I read once that the bushing used in Del-a-lum is a standard industrial part. If you could find it and have some housings machined you could save a bunch.

[David Pozzi]

Delrin is available, but you'd have to machine the housing, sleeve and Delrin insert to fit. - Basically make the whole assy from scratch.

Thompson Nyliners are a std industrial part and were used before GW came out with the Del-A-Lum bushings.
David

[John Wright]

I will say this about the Delalums.....once you try them, I doubt you will ever go back to anything else. I had greased up polygraphite bushing in the control arms for years and thought they were great, no sqeaks....but when you take the front springs out and the upper control arm just hangs there and you have to physically muscle it through it's range of motion, and the same was true of the lower arm....

....then try it with a greased up Delalum fitted control arm...man the difference is night and day. I went with the SCandC upper adjustable tubulars with the greaseable race bushings and added the Delalums to the factory lowers....unbelievable how smooth the action is, you can literally move the arms with one finger....

[86Cutlass383SR]

John, I agree 110%! I, too, had the very same experience. Very true, you'll never go back to graphite! GW bushings are just too smooth and effortless.

Doug

[Tony_SS]

Question is, on a set of arms that have the poly bushings already in, can I swap them out for DALs?

[86Cutlass383SR]

As long as the bushing housing (holes) were not damaged, I say so. The DAL's replace the stock bushings.

Doug

[John Wright]

Question is, on a set of arms that have the poly bushings already in, can I swap them out for DALs?

Yup, that's what I did...mine were still in good shape, I just heard the rave over the Delalums and swapped them out and I am glad that I did. It will probably be easier now that you have had bushings pressed in and out a couple times. While I had my lowers off the car painting them up, I pressed the old poly out and had the new Delalums in about 10 minutes per side. I used a 20T hydraulic press, but you can do it other ways....

....just make sure you support the flanges of the control arm so that you don't bend them....here is a pic that might help you see what I'm talking about:

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2008/03/ControlArm1-1.jpg