Lower shock bushing

[Daniel_Mc]

The bushing on the lower part of the shock loses its proper geometry when coilovers are installed this is because it was never intended to support that kind of load. My question is; has anyone found a suitable replacement for the bushing for front and rear shocks? Below is a picture of the one on the 89 but I am going to be reinstalling the coilovers on the Dieline car soon and would like to make this change.

Thanks in advance guys!!!

[XfireZ51]

Good point! Have you checked the rears?

[Daniel_Mc]

Yes, they are just as bent out of shape as the fronts. They have not gotten worse over the years of track abuse but it is just something that bothers me.

[XfireZ51]

Dan,

Here's what I am not getting. The load from the coilovers isn't any different than the load generated by the leaf spring. Whether its the coil pushing down on the bushing or the leaf spring pushing the A arm up into the bushing, the bushing shouldn't be seeing any difference.

[Daniel_Mc]

In the stock set up the leaf spring would have the weight of the car resting the spring since the spring is on top of the A arm pushing down the shocks would not have near the load. In the situation of coilovers it is all on the shock.

[XfireZ51]

Dan,

The mass of the vehicle is supported by the tires. With the leaf spring, the force is being applied to the shock from the bottom while with the coil setup,
the spring is resisting falling from the top. However the force being applied to the bushing and shock attaching bolts is exactly the same.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

Dan,

The mass of the vehicle is supported by the tires. With the leaf spring, the force is being applied to the shock from the bottom while with the coil setup,
the spring is resisting falling from the top. However the force being applied to the bushing and shock attaching bolts is exactly the same.

This is my impression as well. It really dont see the difference.

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by Daniel_Mc

In the stock set up the leaf spring would have the weight of the car resting the spring since the spring is on top of the A arm pushing down the shocks would not have near the load. In the situation of coilovers it is all on the shock.

I agree.

It could be verified by taking the bottom shock bolts out on a stock unit, and remove the shock, the car would not move. Then try to take it out on coilovers, might take a big hammer, and have hazardous results. And no jacks, or lifts are allowed.

[lbszr]

Originally Posted by Daniel_Mc

Has anyone found a suitable replacement for the bushing for front and rear shocks?

If you haven't already tried VBP, they might be worth a call. I didn't see see anything on their website though.

[batchman]

Originally Posted by lbszr

I agree.

+2. With conventional spring the shock only sees a load when the wheel moves with respect to the body, and that load is only related to the degree/severity of deflection not the full weight of that corner.

I have never thought a coilover on the rear is a stable idea. Setting up the entire load on one post in single shear and then staking your life on the result does not add up to me. I know lots of people do it and never a failure yada yada but still you have to space the shock out further on the stud (lever) and the aluminum is only so strong and clearly not designed for that loading....

Later,
- Jeff