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 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.



http://www.globalwest.net/1965-70%20...%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!

[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.

[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