Best bushings?

[Amphilophus]

I am looking for the best bushings for my 1968 firebird. I want better than stock handling. but I am not going to be auto crossing so I dont need a all out handling package. any help would be great. I searched but just found a bunch of debates over what bushing are good and bad and no real difinate answer. also any suggestions on springs? I was planning on going with global west leafs and front coil springs. and one more question. would it be bad to use the del-a-lum bushings in the rear leaf springs and not the front A arms? thanks.

[vanzuuk1]

I have sort of the same question, of course what is best for one application may not work for another, but what are the pros and cons of each type of bushing?

[TitoJones]

Best bushing?
Global West Del-a-lum bushings.
Others have made exact copies of this bushing, but I go to the originator, even if I have to wait a few weeks to get it (GW is not always the most prompt, but they are getting better)
Poly bushings flat out suck in my honest opinion. I had a full PST poly front end kit on my 68 camaro, and it was a squeaky bitch after only 4K miles, and I had the drivers front bushing back out of the upper control arm after only 8500 miles.
Rubber deflects too much, and binds like poly does, so it too is not great for a PT application.
When people hear about the Del-a-lums they automatically think 'harsh ride'. It goes without saying that the ride will be a bit stiffer than with a bunch of factory rubber parts, but the GW bushings finally make the suspension move without binding, allowing the spring and shock combo to fully do its job.
Spring and shock combos are critical for ride handling, so don't skimp here either.
Hope than answers part of your question- Del-a-lum first, and if you have to do something other than a solid bushing, I'd choose rubber over poly, because I really have a strong dislike for it.
Tyler

[Q ship]

I completely agree with Tyler. I do have kind of a unique point of view about the GW front a-arm bushings though, I do not believe that they cause an increase in ride harshness. I used them in my '71 Camaro build in 1995. When I put them on, i was not sure which front springs to use, and I needed the car together quickly, so I used the stock springs. Monday morning, my carpool buddy (also a gearhead) and I were amazed to find that the ride was the same. We were both expecting it to be harsh, but it was not. Made me a complete believer in the Del-a-Lums, and I still have those arms today, getting ready to use them on a different car.

In the rear with leaf springs, I would not use the GW bushings in the front eye. I had both the shackle kit and the front eye bushing in a set of locally sourced leafs. As I remember the springs were listed for a WS6 T/A. The ride in back was too stiff for good balance. I also had problems with the front eye bushings moving around in the spring(rotating). Doing it again, I would probably use rubber in the front.

One other note, after driving that Camaro for 40k miles, everything else I've driven (using rubber bushings) feels kind of loose and sloppy while cornering. The Del-a-lums, in the proper application, really work. Just don't use them in a factory four link, or in my opinion for front leaf spring eyes.

[chicane67]

Ok....... I'll third all answers/opinions thus far.

[79T/Aman]

finally seeing some great answers to this poly hype and Brian you are correct in stating to use rubber in the front spring eye.

[Amphilophus]

so what you are saying is delalum or regular rubber?

[TitoJones]

I do have kind of a unique point of view about the GW front a-arm bushings though, I do not believe that they cause an increase in ride harshness.

I was trying to (unsuccessfully) get that point across. I too don't think they affect the ride quality in a negative manner.

Tyler

[Rick Dorion]

I have GW del-a-lum's everywhere. They actually made my car ride better even though I also have GW front springs and Hotchkis rears.

I have the rear GW bushings front/rear.

Tom - can you comment on the front eye rubber vs. GW bushing approach?

[69HuggrrrPT]

Tom - can you comment on the front eye rubber vs. GW bushing approach?

I'd like some input as well. I just put the GW in my Hotchkis leafs based on some recommendations. No road test yet, but I hope the right decision was made.

[dennis68]

The front spring bushing is canted toward the center of the chassis to help laterally locate the axle. running a solid bushing can induce kinematic bind to the system. Solid bushings should not be used anywhere that any movement other simple rotation is required.

[Rick Dorion]

Yes, I understand the perspective. I think Tom has been running the bushings front/rear. Since GW developed the package, I'm curious on the GW recommendation to use at both ends. The only restriction they make is to not run solid in front and rubber in rear. I guess they could also have developed a rear-only kit. I have another set of stiffer leafs I want to setup and want to probe at this a bit. I could put del-a-lums in the rear only on them.

[dennis68]

Since GW developed the package, I'm curious on the GW recommendation to use at both ends.

GW also recommends running using their bushings on the C4L arrangement so I don't put much faith in their recommendations.

[h_leadfoot]

If I would just change one a-arm to Del-a-lum , wich one should I change in first? The upper or lower?

[chicane67]

If I would just change one a-arm to Del-a-lum , wich one should I change in first? The upper or lower?

The lower, as it is the "loaded" arm.

The use of GW's bushings in both the front and rear of a leaf spring has been a topic of discussion for many years...... and ya know what...... on a street driven chassis, you wont even know the difference.

And for that matter, on a chassis that has been 'mini tubbed' the associated KM bind disappears, so that become a mute point for those who have added some chubby's out back. But for the non-tubbed cats, unless you are really looking for some recused lap times, you will never feel and/or notice a difference in how the chassis drives.

I have had the GW bushings in my 67 for 15+ years and have had ZERO problems with them and I love how the chassis drives.

[h_leadfoot]

OK! Thank´s! Then I´ll better change in both upper and lower a-arms...