Polyurethane Bushings

Energy Suspension has us covered! Just about all the bushings you need are available in either black or red polyurethane. Im planning on doing a conversion here shortly, still have the original rubber bushings. I know this will tighten up the suspension a bit, and is a great upgrade from rubber bushings. Heres the link, its set for a 79 caprice, but obviously the 77-79 are the same. http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Chevrolet+Caprice+1979

I've got red energy suspension in all my control arms. Also got the 5/8 police package lowers up front. They help and do not deteriorate the way natural rubber does. When below freezing, they sound like eggs crates rubbing together. Been in there fours years no hitches.

Anybody use both Engine and transmission mounts in Poly both at same time any issues? Stock engine?

Did you clean up your stock control arms ? How did that go? I was wondering whether to buy new(300 set)

or clean the old anyone try those Dorman Arms?

I revamped a 96' PA Ultra with new bushings etc that came out well but the car was

only 12-13 years old. I wonder about the strength of 35 year old Control arms with heavy surface rust.

GM B-Body Forum wrote:Energy Suspension has us covered! Just about all the bushings you need are available in either black or red polyurethane. Im planning on doing a conversion here shortly, still have the original rubber bushings. I know this will tighten up the suspension a bit, and is a great upgrade from rubber bushings. Heres the link, its set for a 79 caprice, but obviously the 77-79 are the same. http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/products.asp?cat=Chevrolet+Caprice+1979

Poly body bushings make a HUGE difference in body roll.  You'll think you have 6" sway bars front and rear, lol!  You may be surprised to find out that the factory left out a couple too.  Yup, they stuck the bolts in, but left out the bushings!  It supposedly gave a smoother ride.  On my track car I used solid aluminum ones.... talk about rigid!

Myloth wrote:Anybody use both Engine and transmission mounts in Poly both at same time any issues? Stock engine?

Did you clean up your stock control arms ? How did that go? I was wondering whether to buy new(300 set)

or clean the old anyone try those Dorman Arms?

I revamped a 96' PA Ultra with new bushings etc that came out well but the car was

only 12-13 years old. I wonder about the strength of 35 year old Control arms with heavy surface rust.

Suspension parts take the most abuse of anything on the car, so you're correct in questioning the strength of 35yo ones.   If it's in the budget, always go new.  They're cheap at Rock Auto -

I was curious about the Dorman or Mevotech or even the Raybestos control arms as opposed to the Delco everyone

of those brands is hit or miss these days even Raybestos. Not that it's all bad I have had some Dorman

parts that were fine and some Mevotech stuff is really good but other items not so much. Hence my seeking personal

experience on the arms and specific brand

I have a poser what's the difference between the 77-79 control arms and the 80-90

the bushings are listed as completely different by rock auto and energy suspension?

Are the 77-79 an older leftover from the earlier full size?

Hmm, that's a good question.  I thought they were all the same up to 1996.  
For one of the years could you have looked up CAs for the 12" brakes instead of 11"?  They'll have different part numbers.

I should point out that the difference is the Bushings that are listed. Rock Auto lists the same arm for 77-79

and later. However the bushing are different and Energy points to a completely different kit for 77-79 .

Maybe it is different bushing size but the same arm obviously so if you put new arms it doesn't matter?

idk. I'm curious now too. I hope somebody chimes in with more info. Maybe PM the Rock Auto guy?

Maybe it's a glitch in Rock Auto, Advance lists same parts. And energy I think is lumping in the 77-79 with early frames by mistake.

Most of the places I looked list the same upper and lower . I wanted to be sure about the energy kit anybody buy those for 77-79 or

for the replacement arms( I read  where someone swapped them into new dorman arms)

There always seems to be a bit of confusion with CA arm bushings I bought a pair of the wrong lower from Rock for my 96 PA and

they listed as correct part. But it was too big way too BIG.