I had a post about my '70 L34 TH400 396/350 HP riding badly at high speed. Many folks gave great suggestions on what could be causing it. One area that I intend to address is the replacement of shocks, bushings and front springs. The front A-arm bushings appear to be original and toasted. The rear springs were done a year ago. I'd like to go poly so that I don't have to do it again later. Any suggestions on the brand/type/supplier for the poly bushings and also shock types that have worked for any of you out there. I drive the car a lot, but not daily. I don't want to road race the car, but handling and smooth ride are important to me. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your assistance.

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Morris "moepoe" Porter

Aces 2674
'70 L34 Chevelle SS396

I like the PolyGraphite bushings. Urethane will squeak. Energy Supension has them (get the black ones with a "G" as the last digit of the part number), as well as others. They are firmer than rubber but you'll get use to them. They will also out last rubber by many years. They will give you much better handling.

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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

Regarding the bad handling at high speeds: I have heard that this is a problem with Chevelles at stock ride height because too much air gets under the car and starts lifting the front end at higher speed. Lowering the front a couple of inches is supposed to fix this.

I suppose a big hnling front air dam would fix it to, but I've never seen one on a Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif.

I used and recommed PST Polygraphite see http://www.p-s-t.com/

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Gotta have a Chevy !

I also have the polygraphite bushings from PST on my 72 Elky. They make the ride a bit firmer than rubber bushings, but they provide much better handling, and last much longer. My car rides pretty smooth, and I'm running stock height OEM springs, but I have Gabriel gas shocks. If you have the money, I would go with something a bit more expensive, such as Edelbrock IAS shocks or Billstein. Good luck!!!

KYB shocks are a good choice, also. About $30 each.

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Pat Kelley
66 & 67 El Caminos

Strom is right in regards to the "Air under there". Poly Graphite is ok if your racing. However, poly bushings "Will Not" rebound where as rubber will. That is to say rubber has a memory and will return to its original shape, but rubber has a lot of flex. Poly bushings will just wear down and squeek. The industry introduced graphite into the bushings to prevent the squeeking but the wear continues. They are not self lubicating. Poly bushings will "Stiffen" up your ride and that's exactly what it'll do! The control arms need to move freely for a proper ride yet maintain rigidity. I recommend Del-A-Lum bushings and Koni shocks, from Global West Suspension www.globalwest.net Assuming you plan on keeping your Chevelle, these will be the last set of shocks and bushings you'll ever buy for your car. You may want to consider new front springs also.

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Morris,
At this time no one seems to know why, but the LOWER control arm bushings can either be round or oval shaped. Some people have even reported oval on one side and round on the other side of the same car. So check this before you buy lower bushings.

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I am going through that now I have a oval 2 small and 1 big bushing 3 diff bushings on my lower control arms MIKE

DZAUTO - That's a very good point yet often forgotten

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Thanks everyone for the excellent suggestions. I will likely go with poly bushings and new front springs (rear were done a little over 1 year ago). Also will try and add "stock appearing" (if possible) gas shocks (probably bilsteins). As an aside to the story of my "rough riding" chevelle, I discovered tonite while on the way to a cruise nite that i have a bad ujoint. Figured it out as the noise and vibes on the hiway got worse, but went away when I put the TH400 in neutral. Looks like I'll be ujoint shopping first!!

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Morris "moepoe" Porter

Aces 2674
'70 L34 Chevelle SS396

I have poly Energy Suspenshion bushings in the rear control arms, new rubber up front, 1 1/4 sway bar with poly (energys), kyb shocks, big block springs in a small block car. corners and rides great. its a little on the high side because of the sprigs. does not even lean on the coners!!!

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Hot66ss

66 ss
67 malibu
Aces Member 2380
Team Chevelle member #262
GEN X Member #15
Http://members.aol.com/chvellss

After reading all I could and agonizing over the decision about front-end components, I bought all the stuff from PST. There are several reasons, the 20-year warranty is nice, they are close to me in NJ, the sales staff knows the product line and it was one stop shopping.

Anything you can do to help these cars out in the suspension area is a plus. I drove my 71 back from Grandma's house several years ago, 1000 miles on today’s interstate highways with a short trip through the mountains in PA, the car is scary! It has so much body roll and refuses to go where you point it. I don't want this in my 67. I don't agree with the wearing away statements nor does PST.

I like the idea of a stiffer, firmer ride. The fact I dive a 93 vette may have something to do with that, they ride very harsh. The car has the ride control. The settings are harsh, ridiculous and unbelievable!


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Wally
Gold #67
67 malibu