[tgifford5]

I have a 69 in which I am doing frame off resto. I am going to have the a-arms powder coated so I will need new bushings. Are the Global West bushings and shafts worth the extra $ over just replacing with poly bushings?

[slaphead65]

Hi i used poly bushes on my upper A arms and to be honest they were rubbish , they were energy suspension ones , there far to soft deform to easy and are not up to the job. I turned some new bushes up at work out of harder nylon bar and they dont deform and my suspension doesnt rattle every time i go over a bump .If you have the money buy the better bushes .
Pete.

[Vintage 68]

Originally Posted by tgifford5

... Are the Global West bushings and shafts worth the extra $ over just replacing with poly bushings?

If you want a better performing geometry
As stated above, most of the 'kit' type poly suspension stuff is junk.
The durometer of the material is all wrong for most vehicles and the deformation of the bushings allows the suspension to rotate around the bushing vs. maintaining the geometry needed for excellent handling.

Might as well use 'Jello' as most of the kit bushings

[tgifford5]

I had polys in there. I had done a suspension upgrade a couple of yrs ago. They were better than the originals. But now I am doing a body off resto. So I am going to powder coat my a-arms and subframe. so wanted to hear from those that had maybe used both. John or Peter, have either of you used the rear leaf spring bushings?

[JayBird]

I have delrin bushings in my uppers and lowers. I wouldnt go any other way. As far as leaf springs, you can use delrin in both sides, but if you use it in front eye of leaf spring it will be a harsher ride than poly or rubber. Just keep that in mind.

[Teetoe_Jones]

Originally Posted by Vintage 68

If you want a better performing geometry
As stated above, most of the 'kit' type poly suspension stuff is junk.
The durometer of the material is all wrong for most vehicles and the deformation of the bushings allows the suspension to rotate around the bushing vs. maintaining the geometry needed for excellent handling.

Might as well use 'Jello' as most of the kit bushings

Bushings will NOT improve the horrid geometry these cars have. These bushings will act like a bearing and allow the suspension to move freely and without binding/deflection. I've put them on every car I've ever owned and I love the feel and performance of them.
That said, you still need to fix the geometry by adding a tall spindle, or tall ball joint or relocating the upper control arm. Nothing else will fix it (even tubular control arms) and you will feel a huge difference by doing so.

Tyler

[Vintage 68]

Originally Posted by Teetoe_Jones

... you still need to fix the geometry by adding a tall spindle, or tall ball joint or relocating the upper control arm. Nothing else will fix it (even tubular control arms) and you will feel a huge difference by doing so.

Tyler

you are of course correct for 'changing' the suspension geometry

The wording of my answer doesn't convey the thought I was trying to get across
By "better performing geometry" ... I meant - a constant and not continually changing geometry during travel - as effected by the movement of the bushing through the load cycle of the suspension during a cornering and/or braking event.
The 'poly' system will have excess movement, when compared to a solid bushed set-up, and will allow lots of geometry change.
I guess I should have said to think of it as a constant geometry vs. a better geometry.

Do as suggested, in using the taller spindles or other common mods like the Gulstrand, to get an improved overall geometry for the vehicle

Sorry for miswording the answer ...

[slaphead65]

Originally Posted by tgifford5

I had polys in there. I had done a suspension upgrade a couple of yrs ago. They were better than the originals. But now I am doing a body off resto. So I am going to powder coat my a-arms and subframe. so wanted to hear from those that had maybe used both. John or Peter, have either of you used the rear leaf spring bushings?

I fitted poly bushes all round and the rear spring bushes are firmer than the old rubber ones i took out , i also removed the rubber from between the spring and the axle as well to tighten the back end up . I do get some road noise coming through but i can live with it . Upper a arm poly bushes are a waste of money , being thin there not hard enough they need to be solid, its not so bad with the spring bushes as they are bigger .

[tgifford5]

I am going to go with the del-a-lum upper and lower bushings. Tyler do I also go with their offset shaft or the standard? And for balljoints do you have a part# (MOOG)?

[Steiner]

Rock Auto may have your best price on ball joints. Moogs are $21 upper and $25 lower. AC Delcos are a couple bucks more.

[tgifford5]

Originally Posted by Steiner

Rock Auto may have your best price on ball joints. Moogs are $21 upper and $25 lower. AC Delcos are a couple bucks more.

Are they the tall ball joints? Part numbers?

[Steiner]

Originally Posted by tgifford5

Are they the tall ball joints? Part numbers?

No, standard height. Moog does not make one that bolts right in. Talls you have to get from Howe or somewhere like that and I think they run around $80 or so. The G mod is free and the results are similar. I don't have either one but am pleased with how my car handles after doing a complete poly rebuild along with new coils/leafs/shocks/sway and 17" tires.