body bushings- replacement

[monte-n-313]

how hard is it to replace the main body bushings in a 85 monte carlo ss?? i really just wanted to replace the radiator core support, looks like you gotta get the whole kit from energy suspension. whats the best way to do this?

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

Here's a how-to courtesy of the Turbo Buick guys.

http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/bodygau ... hings.html

If the bolts don't break and the cage nuts hold, it's not a big deal to change them. But, a lot of time rust will not be your friend...

 

[youngdeezy]

how hard is it to replace the main body bushings in a 85 monte carlo ss?? i really just wanted to replace the radiator core support, looks like you gotta get the whole kit from energy suspension. whats the best way to do this?

Im in the same boat as you, i just bought the complete energy kit because i couldnt just buy the radiator support bushings. man that sucks i wish they just sold the 1's we need.

 

[Longroof79]

Considering the age of our cars, the body bushings are most likely shot. Ask me how I know. After replacing the complete set of bushings, you'll feel a noticeable difference in the car. It really helps tighten up the car. Between that, rebuilding your front end and installing the GM braces.

 

[monte-n-313]

i heard that them poly bushings create to much stress on the body. wonder if you can get the rubber ones from the dealer?

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Actually the urethane mounts don't put as much stress on the body. They put just as much as the rubber ones. There are different grades of urethane that can either make a mount stiffer or softer. The cheapest kit I could find was on JEGS and they were produced by prothane. I have the kit here and the body mounts are on my list of things to do. The prothane ones definately are up to par as energy suspension and have good quality mounts from what I can see.

 

[86Cutlass383SR]

Myself I'd think a good mount, no matter what material it's made of, would be better than a worn out rubber mount. The old rubber mount will let the body flex and flop in any direction it will go, where as a new mount will hold the body firm to the frame as it should.

Just throwing out another option, TNT Race Shop makes a solid aluminum body mount also.

http://tntraceshop.com/g-body_solid_mounts.html

 

[monte-n-313]

you can get the radiator core support bushing from the dealer still. they dont call them bushings, they call them cushings.

 

[monte-n-313]

does anyone have a diagram for the radiator core support bushing on how the go. i got new ones from the dealer but one of them dont look the same so i was wondering if someone had installed these wrong once apon a time. i need a service manuel for a 85

 

[G-Body_Vet]

I'm reviving this one from the dead.....

Well anyway, does anyone have a proven method of lifting the body from the frame for an extended period of time? My plan is to SAFELY lift the body high enough from the frame so it can be coated, maybe 8" to 12" at most. As much as I'd like to just roll it out from under the car, I don't have the space to store it separately from the car....working with one stall right now. I'm thinking I can pull this off with my ginormous jackstands and some 4x4's. I just don't want to risk crushing the floorboards. For those that don't know, there's no eng, trans or front clip on the car either.

I have tools, jacks, jackstands, etc, so that's no problem. I'm planning to drop the gas tank and rear end at some point too.
I've read through the how-to on the GN site, but like I said this might need to be in the air for at least a week or two. I'm sure I could figure it out but I'd like to hear input if you've done this before. Thx.