Poly bushings or not (Page 2/2)
Dennis LaGrua DEC 06, 07:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by Shho13:

Speaking about suspension in the earlier cars, look into that rear sway bar from the Fierostore, from what I hear that makes a considerable improvement in the handling and reduces understeer. https://www.fierostore.com/...0%20%20REAR&d=45&p=1


I use poly bushings in all applications except on the front upper control arm.
As for handling, I believe the Fiero Store rear sway bar is a copy of the old Herb Adams bar. I have that on one of my 87GT Fieros and it made a BIG difference in handling. On my 3800SC 87GT I installed the rear ADDCO bar and the oversteer was terrible. I had to install the front ADDCO bar and the steering is now perfect. I don't believe that the 88 handling can be that much better
Conclusion: the Fiero Store sway bar can be added by itself but the much heavier ADDCO bars must be installed in pairs.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

cebix DEC 07, 04:18 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua:

I use poly bushings in all applications except on the front upper control arm.
As for handling, I believe the Fiero Store rear sway bar is a copy of the old Herb Adams bar. I have that on one of my 87GT Fieros and it made a BIG difference in handling. On my 3800SC 87GT I installed the rear ADDCO bar and the oversteer was terrible. I had to install the front ADDCO bar and the steering is now perfect. I don't believe that the 88 handling can be that much better
Conclusion: the Fiero Store sway bar can be added by itself but the much heavier ADDCO bars must be installed in pairs.





Can I ask why you don't use them on the front upper control arms? Just curious what are the disadvantages there.
oneinch DEC 08, 06:40 PM
I went with poly when I redid my rear suspension. The reason for doing so was that I thought they'd be easier to work with as compared to replacement rubber. Easy to work with they were. I pressed out the old rubber with a Craigslist Harbor Freight 12 ton shop press. That went very well. Funny thing, the guy I bought the press from contacted my asking to buy it back. I was tempted, but I might need it again someday. I declined to sell.

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Stanton
'88 Formula, red on gray

Blacktree DEC 09, 02:32 PM

quote
Originally posted by Dennis LaGrua: I use poly bushings in all applications except on the front upper control arm.


That seems odd...

For the front suspension in an '84-87 Fiero, I would suggest urethane bushings everywhere except the rear bushing on the lower control arm. That one bushing is not in line with the rest of them. So if you put a stiff bushing in there, it will bind as the suspension travels up & down. Leaving rubber in that spot will alleviate the binding. It will also soak up some road noise.

For the '84-87 rear suspension, I would suggest urethane bushings in all points (including the cradle). The early suspension doesn't have trailing arms to control acceleration / deceleration forces on the suspension. And the soft rubber bushings allow the control arms to wobble forward and back during acceleration and braking. Stiff bushings will help with that. But ride quality will suffer. Basically, you have to choose between comfort or handling. (You can get comfort AND handling with an '88 cradle / suspension swap. But that's a big project)
pmbrunelle DEC 09, 06:51 PM

quote
Originally posted by Blacktree:
For the front suspension in an '84-87 Fiero, I would suggest urethane bushings everywhere except the rear bushing on the lower control arm. That one bushing is not in line with the rest of them. So if you put a stiff bushing in there, it will bind as the suspension travels up & down. Leaving rubber in that spot will alleviate the binding. It will also soak up some road noise.



I was conflicted about the front lower control arm issue... then I saw Will's spherical bearing kit:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/099464.html

He may do another batch if there are enough participants to make a round 2 worthwhile.
Blacktree DEC 10, 01:29 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle: I was conflicted about the front lower control arm issue... then I saw Will's spherical bearing kit:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/099464.html


That would address the geometry issue nicely. I wish that was available when I built my front suspension. I used tube-steel control arms, with rod ends.
DimeMachine DEC 12, 02:06 PM
For street use I would use new rubber up front - poly squeeks after a year...

For the rear, if you have more HP, I would use poly to minimize A arm movement and plan on cleaning and lubing them every year or so. Under 200 HP, Rubber in back too.

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84/87 NB, 3800SC, E-85, VS Cam, 2.8 Pulley, 4T65E-HD, HP Tuners, AEM Wideband, Regal GS Gauges, S-10 Brake Booster. 1/4 mile -11.85 at 114mph

ragoldsmith DEC 12, 11:40 PM

quote
Originally posted by pmbrunelle:


I was conflicted about the front lower control arm issue... then I saw Will's spherical bearing kit:
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/099464.html

He may do another batch if there are enough participants to make a round 2 worthwhile.



I am likely going to purchase a kit from Will. We were PM-ing about it, but I haven’t heard from him in a few days. Not sure how many he has right now for the group buy, but I would love to get the kit before I finish up my front suspension this winter.
pmbrunelle DEC 13, 12:20 AM

quote
Originally posted by DimeMachine:
For street use I would use new rubber up front - poly squeeks after a year...



I have had polyurethane on my previous Fiero for 7 years (summer-driven only), and about 30k miles, and it didn't start squeaking [note 1]. I didn't even have zerk fittings or anything like that; it was lubricated only with the grease that I applied during the initial install.

I used the included Prothane grease that came with the Prothane bushings. It was a rather clingy silicone grease.

Note 1: The sway bar to frame bushings did eventually get squeaky (perhaps after 3 years). I unbolted the steel brackets, opened up the bushing, re-applied grease, and then it was quiet again. Greasing those sway bar bushings is a half-hour job or so, so it didn't annoy me.


quote
Originally posted by ragoldsmith:
I am likely going to purchase a kit from Will. We were PM-ing about it, but I haven’t heard from him in a few days. Not sure how many he has right now for the group buy, but I would love to get the kit before I finish up my front suspension this winter.



Sometimes he gets busy; this is a side activity for him, not his primary or even secondary job. Rest assured that he will come through, eventually.