Author Topic: Bushes - need help (Read 8362 times)

bradmart · « **on:** August 21, 2006, 07:05:30 PM »

Gday all,

Looks like I'm about to join you all finally... its been 6 months but i've been presented with 2 brilliant C3's that i want now... one a 76 coupe, one a 79 coupe.

A few questions about the 76 - I've been told the bushes should all be replaced. A quote from the inspection "steering shaft rubber coupling deteriorated. Rear suspension lower inner radius arm bushes oil affected/ deteriorated. Front shock absorber lower mounting insulators deteriorated".

If theres one thing i don't know about its suspension. What does all this mean? What dollars am i looking at for the overhaul?

Thanks in advance, sorry for the lack of knowledge!

jolinari · « **Reply #1 on:** August 21, 2006, 07:09:03 PM »

Well i am getting mine done this thursday dude and it will take them 2 days to do it....changing the front ones (new shocks and changing the bushes for $760.00) the test showed that the left were 53% and anything under 65% would be considered dangerous
Monroe shocks

jolinari · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2006, 07:16:34 PM »

ohh and if ur in sydney, mine are getting done @ jim's suspension blacktown....they know their stuff very well and specialise into old cars!

jolinari · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2006, 07:24:39 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by bradinho

A quote from the inspection "steering shaft rubber coupling deteriorated.

is it right hand drive or left hand drive? Do u know whther it is a falcon box? (back then they used XF falcon boxes) if it is a falcon you are looking at $120.00 for the coupling for the original part or $35.00 for generic one...but my advise to you go for the original , car will handle much better

bradmart · « **Reply #4 on:** August 21, 2006, 07:33:10 PM »

thanks for the help mate.

Yea its falcon box, cressida rack i think. Also the steering wheel assembly is a bit loose which scares me... but even with all these bits and pieces to be fixed (interior to be gutted as well - awesome threads already on this...) it looks like a bargain. You'll see it soon enough!

jolinari · « **Reply #5 on:** August 21, 2006, 07:35:49 PM »

go for it dude! i could always help you with few contacts, just let me know and all the best with the transaction ;46;46;46

JP · « **Reply #6 on:** August 21, 2006, 08:10:06 PM »

If your handy with machanics, it's a piece of p#iss to do it yourself, Chev parts at Yenora could supply the parts, even to get a price. To do the trailing arms, a jig helps to compress the rubbers while you flare the steel bush, I still have one you could use. I got my bushes when I was in the USA on a trip so I dont know how much here.

$760 not a bad price Jolinari for parts and labour.

69 DIRTY RAT · « **Reply #7 on:** August 21, 2006, 09:39:26 PM »

Have you thought of polyurethane bushings kit? You can get kits from the US...highly recommended!

1963-82 Polyurethane Total Suspension Kit

Improves Ride & Handling

Outlasts Stock Rubber Bushings

Step up to the improved performance provided by a polyurethane suspension kit. The 1963-82 kit includes: front and rear control arm bushings, front end link set, power steering ram bushings, transmission mount, rear spring cushions, rear strut rod bushings, differential front carrier bushings, rear sway bar end link bushings, ball joints and tie rod end boots.

Item# 34874
In Stock

US $229.99 kit

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=34874&dept%5Fid=243

They also have poly body mounts etc!

Chromie · « **Reply #8 on:** August 21, 2006, 10:01:40 PM »

I recommend polyurethane bushes as long as they are installed correctly.
Front and rear shock absorbers I recommend Koni gas adjustable and set them to 3/4 hard setting (do not use urethane bushes with the shock absorbers)
If you have a missalignment between the steering column and the steering box it is caused by the conversion you will have to either reposition the steering column or the steering box.
Make sure that the front and rear wheel alignment it set to Corvette settings not holden settings
Recommend front sway bar is 1 1/8" and rear (if fitted) should be 5/8"
Recommended front coil springs is 460lbs and rear spring is 355 lib (fibreglass type)
Don't forget the park brake system and trailing arm shims as these are usually missing or badly rusted.
The steering column play is either worn pivot pins (upper and lower hubs will have to be sleeved) or the lower steering column tilt hub bolts are loose.

ozpont · « **Reply #9 on:** August 31, 2006, 06:36:59 AM »

Full body Master Kits are available wholesale.. CHEAPER BY ABOUT 50% in the end then going to the USA.. (and that may not sound normal but it simple fact)

All USA premuim ENERGY SUSPENSION Products are availalbe quietly at the web site www.energysusp.com.au, wholesale direct from the ONLY FACTORY DIRECT Australian Distributor..

Buy its where-ever you want but that kit thats mentioned above for US$230 + US$105 shipping is a great deal- subject to knowing whose part they actually really are.

But the Premium Energy Suspension Kit. the BEST USA MADE POLYURETHANE COMPONENTS.. are also already here for A$320+gst for the Master kit your talking about.

KIT CONTENTS:
Rear control arm bushings
Rear spring cushions
Front end link set
Front control arm bushings
Power steering ram bushings
Transmission mount
Differential carrier bushings
Rear strut rod bushings
Rear sway bar and end link bushings
Ball joint & tie rod end boots
CHOOSE FROM RED or Black kits as wanted.

Note: Not all polyurethane is the same in these kits.. Body to Chassis mountings are made of a slight softer chemistry to allow them to take road vibration & reduce the harshness otherwise felt. The other control arm bushes ect.. are made a little harder on purpose.. this is what ALSO makes "Energy Suspension" the world leaders in polyurethane technology.

Just for your information.

Cameron 77C3 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 31, 2006, 10:08:10 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by bradinho
thanks for the help mate.

Yea its falcon box, cressida rack i think. Also the steering wheel assembly is a bit loose which scares me... but even with all these bits and pieces to be fixed (interior to be gutted as well - awesome threads already on this...) it looks like a bargain. You'll see it soon enough!

Hang on one minute....Falcon Box AND Cressida Rack. Please clarify. How can you have both? RACK?????? We are talking about the 76 here yes no?

Chromie · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2006, 02:15:33 PM »

Quote

:
Originally posted by bradinho
thanks for the help mate.

Yea its falcon box, cressida rack i think. Also the steering wheel assembly is a bit loose which scares me... but even with all these bits and pieces to be fixed (interior to be gutted as well - awesome threads already on this...) it looks like a bargain. You'll see it soon enough!

Cam if he is going to ask about steering send him to the conversion issue I commented on;42;41

Chromie · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2006, 02:17:24 PM »

Oh yeah I recon that you can also point him in the direction of steering column repairs & servicing:v;)

bradmart · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2006, 02:32:31 PM »

put me in a steering class for newbies while you are at it. ;52

Either way it was a mix of falcon and cressida parts for the steering conversion. Was listed on the engineers certificate.

Im already on the other thread asking the questions :b4

77CVT · « **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2006, 09:07:09 AM »

Probably a falcon idler arm? Make sure your idler arm and steering box arm are the same height off the ground. My old '77 had the idler arm 2 inches higher!!!! Corrected that and drove a LOT better.

Also, ditto on the Energy Suspension gear!