Question for those w/Hotchkis rear leafs

[dhardison]

Did your Hotchkis rear leafs come with POLY FRONT bushings? I'm getting around to installing mine and they sent REAR poly bushings, but the fronts are already installed and are good 'old fashioned rubber.

Thanks,
Dan

[Rick Dorion]

Fronts were rubber. I've read and heard that poly front isn't the best approach although I don't have experience with that combination. However, I put the Global West delalum bushings in front/rear. I'm very pleased with having them in the control arms, too.

[dhardison]

Thanks Rick. Do the delalums make the ride extremely harsh (vs. poly)?

Dan

[Rick Dorion]

Actually, the opposite. There's no deflection but also no stiction. When I put the front control arm bushings in, the ride became supple, even with the GW front springs. I don't have experience with the rear setup (need the snow to go away!).

[dhardison]

Hehehe, I had to look up "stiction", never heard that word before. ;-) Learned something new today. Thanks for the info.

Dan (waiting for the snow to go away here as well)

[yody]

rubber bushings come if the front of those bushing, they make the ride quality better and don't bind. If using rubber bushings in the front you will most likely need or want a rear swaybar on a second gen, on a first it is a test and tune thing. A del a lum in that spot will create more of a harsh ride, smoother but harder. IT will create bind which can be tuned into your suspension. Do a search there have been a few threads about it

[Lowend]

Yody put it pretty well. Using a solid style front spring eye bushing will create bind in the rear suspension, but that bind can be used to help tune the overall suspension combo.
I personally think that a non-binding rear suspension (ie rubber front spring eye bushing or spherical bearing) with a rear swaybar is a better more predictable car

[dhardison]

Thanks for all the replies/info guys, I really appreciate it. For the time being I'm going to stick with the rubber front, poly rear bushings and see how a rear sway works out with that combo.

Dan

[MikeDVC]

I agree with Yody. I left the rubber fronts in on my 2nd gen Camaro, and for sure needs a rear sway bar.