Polyurethane Bushings

[Grant]

Hey Guys!

Earlier I installed urethane caster bar bushings. This got me less slop in the steering, always a good thing. If your caster bar pads are shot, replace them...not very hard.

So onto my question:
Who here is driving their cars with a majority of their rear suspension coupled with urethane bushings? Watts linkage, swaybar, shock mounts etc.
Do you notice excessive road vibrations? Squeaking?

Thanks,
-grant

[Mezevenf]

Yes, yes I do. The squeaking isnt excessive but its there sometimes. The road where I live are pretty rough and I'm on Koni Yellows, so it really is a very rough ride, but thats expected . I wonder what lower profile tyres would be like...

[fraz]

I was thinking about getting some of the caster bushings. Did you notice any more noise or better steering response?

I have the deDion center in poly and it really stiffened the action quite a bit. I think I liked the give of the rubber a little better. I was not thinking of doing any other rears except for maybe the Watts bushings. Not to mention I have already decided that if I ever build a "track only" car I will likely make aluminum bushings for most of the car.

[eminence]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant Hey Guys! Earlier I installed urethane caster bar bushings. This got me less slop in the steering, always a good thing. If your caster bar pads are shot, replace them...not very hard. So onto my question: Who here is driving their cars with a majority of their rear suspension coupled with urethane bushings? Watts linkage, swaybar, shock mounts etc. Do you notice excessive road vibrations? Squeaking? Thanks, -grant

[Grant]

Thanx for the info on the shock mount.

Oddly enough, the caster pads didn't actually increase road feel any noticeable amount. The slop i was feeling before in the dead zone completely went away though. That was worth the time installing for sure.

So I suppose I won't do ALL of the rear suspension then.
-grant

[toeside]

Grant,

I'm quite interested in this mod as quite a few enthusiasts applaud the results. In searching for information, I ran across a web page by Larry Dickman that describes a mod to replace the caster rod end assembly with the ball and socket joint from the series 105 - 155.

I'm wondering if you also considered this, or if you may be considering it for the future.

Also, where did you source the parts? Performatek?

Thanks!

[Grant]

I actually bought my parts at Centerline. IAP didn't have them in stock, otherwise that was my first choice. There was no documentation on installation but none was really necessary.

I have considered using the ball joint assembly. I have 2 milanos that needed the caster pads replaced so I thought i would try poly urethane on one car and the ball joint on the other once i had some more money and time.

In practice though, I found the urethane joints to be all I needed. The actual steering feel is barely improved, but like i have said earlier, the main benefit is it got rid of the play i was feeling in the steering. More vibration is noticeable in the cockpit which I don't mind (makes it feel more connected you know?) but I can imagine the ball joint to be excessive. And what if the ball joint starts to squeek or rattle or, even worse, rust over time?

After all this I think im going to use urethane on the other car.
-grant

[toeside]

Thanks for the reply... exactly the kind of information I was looking for...

Called IAP and they have their bushing kit back in stock...

[Greg Gordon]

If any of you are interested I have a decent article on installing poly bushings at http://www.oldebottles.com/italiancarspage6.htm. I suggest poly bushings over heim (rose) joints for a street car, you get 90% of the performance benifit without the drawbacks

[toeside]

Greg,

Kudos on a beautifully detailed page ... it's a downright luxury to know exactly the procedure... many thanks! Good story about your dad "stealing" the Milano back to Nebraska too