Body bushing ride comfort?

[TheHomie]

Thanks for all the information. Seems like hands down the poly is the way to go. Im lubing them up now with pb blaster everyday to help with removal. Luckily not much rust in central Texas but I have heard of breaking the bolts and having to "finess" the bolt out that breaks. Hopefully it will be as easy as it looks. Ill find out in a few days

 

[Longroof79]

Yeah, just be patient and juice up the bolts daily for a a few days to a week. Hopefully you'll be able to "finesse" them out without snapping any.
I used a breaker bar to get mine out. I wouldn't recommend an impact gun for removal. To install them, an impact driver will zip them on faster, but don't over tighten...just snug them up and come back and torque them at 52 ft lbs.

You may also consider replacing the bolts with new ones.

Good luck!

 

[TheHomie]

Definitely going to use a breaker bar and new bolts. Do you know where I can get a kit with the bolts or should I just go to Fastenal and buy them individually? I already have the kit on the way so I just need bolts.

 

[TheHomie]

Do I need to take out the steering column before I lift the body or with a 3 to 4 inch lift not bother it?

 

[L92 OLDS]

Do I need to take out the steering column before I lift the body or with a 3 to 4 inch lift not bother it?

No. You don't need to take the column out. Just disconnect the intermediate steering shaft in the engine compartment and make sure it moves freely. Don't forget your E brake cable. It will be a problem unless disconnected. I think G body parts sells a bolt kit but I had enough good ones laying around from cars I had parted out.

 

[pontiacgp]

I have also installed the Energy Suspension body bushings, and it firmed the car up dramatically. No squeaks whatsoever. However, I have experienced some squeaking from the poly control arm bushings when the weather was cold.

Jack, don't forget, your comparing 30 year old rubber body bushings to new Energy bushings when you say they firmed up the car. If these G bodies were meant to last more than 10 years I bet the body bushings would be recommended to be changed after a decade or maybe 15 years.

 

[Longroof79]

Steve,
The old rubber bushings were toast when I took them out. So I suppose anything you put in there would be an improvement. If I had to do it again, I would definitely opt for the poly bushings...and you're right about the bushings not intended to last that long ...because they didn't expect these cars to last as long as they did.

As far as replacement bolts are concerned, I went with the OEM bolts at the time, but you can get a kit through G-bodyParts or Kirban Performance.http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/15/FACTORY+STYLE+BODY+MOUNT+BOLTS+(12)+KIT+#6974.html

 

[pontiacgp]

Steve,
The old rubber bushings were toast when I took them out. So I suppose anything you put in there would be an improvement. If I had to do it again, I would definitely opt for the poly bushings...and you're right about the bushings not intended to last that long ...because they didn't expect these cars to last as long as they did.

As far as replacement bolts are concerned, I went with the OEM bolts at the time, but you can get a kit through G-bodyParts or Kirban Performance.http://www.kirbanperformance.com/product/15/FACTORY+STYLE+BODY+MOUNT+BOLTS+(12)+KIT+#6974.html

don't you mean as they are...

 

[pencero]

Stock bushings are better with the 3-4 inch 'raised suspension' idea the op described. For stock ride height or lowered cars poly bushings with no 'give' are the way to go, imo ...

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

The other problem you are likely to run into are the bushing mounts on the frame may be rusted out as they often go before the bolts do. Passenger side #2 is the most prone frame mount to be rusted because the A/C box drains water including rain water on it. That is besides that mount being in a depressed area of the frame where water pools. If any of your frame mounts are bad you will need to weld in a repair washer.

The stock rubber bushings have a metal insert that rusts out leaving the bushing hollow and often "spreads" rust into the frame mount and taking it out too. Basiclly the stock bushings were designed to give a soft ride with zero regard for longevity. A stock bushing can look completely fine from the outside when it's reinforcing insert is toast and has eaten away the frame mount too.