Suspension Rubber Bushings Longevity
Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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I have recently noticed that I am having to go through and replace a number of items that I replaced about 9 years ago even though I did not put many miles on since then. Usually less than 1K miles per year.
So here is a general question:
Q. How long can you expect suspension type rubber bushings to last. Consider that I live in hot Florida and storage is typically in a hot garage but low miles each year.
Example:
- Drivers side engine mount sagging.
- Recently lower ball joints bad (not bushing related but was replaced about the same time period)
- Composite rear spring rubber bushings compressed to the point they do not look like they were ever installed?- I did the poly for many of the front end bushings and have no issues with any of those yet.
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22715
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Depends on WHO made the bushings, and what type of rubber compound was used. When I did the '74, I used all OE bushings, and haven't seen any issues with any of them so far. The rear spring cushions DO compress quite a bit, tho. Good bushings should survive at least 10 years with no problems, I would think. Will be different in different parts of the country, of course.
Joel Adams
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Send PMEquinunk, PA - USA
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 2570
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Energy Suspension makes a good product, in polyurathane. A slightly more stiff ride, but tremendous in the handling aspect. Lasts longer than rubber, no matter the temperture.
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Thanks for the feedback.
I am using poly on the front bushings. And the rear spring /bushings were from vette brakes in Tampa (I think), so that should be decent quality. I guess in Florida that 10yrs is the magic number for starting to replace rubber again.
1980 L82 (5069 made), Dark Green Metalic (844 made)
Gymkhana Suspension, AM/FM/CB, Sporting a ZZ383.........
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in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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