ChevelleForum.net

Go Back   Chevrolet Chevelle Forums > Chevrolet Chevelle Garage > Paint and Body

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-21-2013, 06:34 AM
71-SS350 71-SS350 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wellington, Kansas
Posts: 84
Question Body Bushings-Poly or Rubber ?

Looking for advice on replacing the 40+ year old body bushings on my '71 Chevelle. Not headed for a 1,000 point show restoration, just will be a nice, clean driver. Wanting a good, smooth ride feeling for wife and I when we take it out. So, should I go with rubber or poly bushings? Who has the best quality and best price, quality over price first consideration. Thanks.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-21-2013, 06:56 AM
Hank70SS's Avatar
Hank70SS Hank70SS is offline
Moderator
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Brighton, MI
Posts: 4,719
Default

I guess for ride quality you would want to go with rubber. Poly is much harder, doesn't compress as easily. I bought a set from NPD about 9 years ago. It came with all the hardware, bolts and washers. Everything was in numbered bags with a diagram to show which bushing and bolt to use where. I've heard a lot of complaints from others that the kits they bought had no instructions and couldn't figure out what went where. I would talk to the people at NPD to make sure the current kit is the same as the one I bought.
__________________
Hank

70 Chevelle SS396(454), M20, 3.73
My Chevelle
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-21-2013, 08:46 AM
SS Shaun SS Shaun is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: poconos pa
Posts: 1,921
Send a message via AIM to SS Shaun
Default

so far all of the ones i have replaced are solid rubber ones. only have about 25 miles on it but feels good so far
__________________
2005 dodge magnum daily driver
1988 mazda rx7 LS6 swap
1969 SS work in progress
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-21-2013, 09:27 AM
carpoor carpoor is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Floriduh
Posts: 2,404
Default

I would go with rubber, everything poly I have ever had tends to dry rot, and become very brittle. My 72' still has original body bushings, and they look amazing. However, I do have a 49K original mile car.
__________________
1972 SS 454 Chevelle LS5/M21/12 bolt 3.73 posi
1969 Malibu COPO L72/M20/12 bolt 3.31 posi
1968 Malibu LQ9/4L80E/12 bolt 3.73 posi
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-21-2013, 09:40 AM
mestorod70 mestorod70 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: honah lee in a cave by the sea
Posts: 446
Default

I used the urethane bushings from OPG.
I changed them out in 2007...and have no problems.
As for bolts...i used grade 8 from the hardware store.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-21-2013, 11:32 AM
Stormer's Avatar
Stormer Stormer is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 49
Default

Rubber bushings from NPD here too.
One and a half year and only 1.500 miles of use, but so far so good.
I recomend.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-21-2013, 07:48 PM
shadowgray396's Avatar
shadowgray396 shadowgray396 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 6,062
Default

Rubber all the way for body bushing. Poly bushing will let any vibration you have come through the body. I have poly bushings in the front end of my car and rubber in the rear.
__________________
Ray
1970 SS Chevelle Van Nuys Built
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-21-2013, 08:24 PM
71-SS350 71-SS350 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wellington, Kansas
Posts: 84
Default

Thanks for the replies. Looks like the rubber bushings get the nod. Any idea where to go for best quality and cost on a bushings kit? Also, since almost 65 years young with the bad back to prove it am considering having it done at a body shop with the proper tools and guys younger than me to do it, LOL. How long does such a job take and a fair cost for such?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-21-2013, 08:37 PM
shadowgray396's Avatar
shadowgray396 shadowgray396 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Oregon City, Oregon
Posts: 6,062
Default

Most vendors all sell the same bushings. If you are going to replace your body bushing be sure to spray the bolts with something like PB blaster penetrating oil so you dont spin a cage nut in the body. Also it's a good time to replace the old gas line since you have the body lifted. Vendors NPD, Ground up, Yearone, Ausley are some good options. I alway like to buy local, thay way I can look at the parts I'm getttting and if you build a relationship with them, then you won't have a hassle returning something.
__________________
Ray
1970 SS Chevelle Van Nuys Built
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-24-2013, 08:14 AM
71-SS350 71-SS350 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Wellington, Kansas
Posts: 84
Default

Any tips on replacing the body bushings besides using the PB Rust Blaster on the caged nuts? How many body bolt/bushing combinations are there on a '71 2 door coupe? Am I better off lookinf for a body shop or mechanic shop to do the job or is it something I can do in my shop? Have a concrete floor and floor jacks and stands but have never done this before. I did take the Chevelle to a reputed good body shop and to replace the body bushings, (I supply them) and repair the rear trunk floor with a 3 piece set (I supply) I was quoted a cost of $2,785. WOW, talk about sticker shock !! Can that be a fair price? They said minimum of 45 hours for the bolts and trunk floor.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:04 AM.



Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.6
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Audiokarma.org