Poly bushings for OEM tubular arms?

[Piston.Hurricane]

Guys,

 

Who makes poly bushings for OEM tubular lateral arms and trailing arms? Specifically '98 Grand Prix GT.

 

I've been checking and it looks anything after 1988 is out of luck.

 

What are you guys using?

 

Thanks,

 

Hurricane

[CSI_MuNkY]

Only way to get poly bushings for your trailing arms or lateral links is to go after market. The stock arms have no provisions for grease fittings, so any poly bushings you get would have to be graphite impregnated.

 

Jamie

[Piston.Hurricane]

Only way to get poly bushings for your trailing arms or lateral links is to go after market. The stock arms have no provisions for grease fittings, so any poly bushings you get would have to be graphite impregnated.

 

Jamie

 

Yes, I know. Please post your info on where to get them? Part numbers? Thanks.

[CSI_MuNkY]

Mine came from Held, www.heldmotorsports.com contact Lee there and he can set you up.

 

Jamie

[Piston.Hurricane]

Now that's what I'm talking about. Thanks, Jamie.

[Piston.Hurricane]

Jamie, thanks for the tip, but getting Lee to return an email is brutal. When I do get a return, the questions he asked me seem to indicate that he may not be knowledgable about his product. He says he has bushings, but needs to know what length I need, what diameter sleeve I need, what length sleeve I need, etc. Jeez, I thought they were all the same for a '98 GP w/tubular arms. Am I wrong?

 

Is there anyone else I can get these from? I wanna get these things installed and I'm losing my patience.

 

Man, I picked the wrong day to quit sniffing glue.

[Andrew]

first, 98 GP's did not come from the factory with tubular trailing arms. those are an upgrade from GM.

 

second, most of us find that the bushings already installed in them are fine.

 

third, for those who are wanting the ultimate in trailing arms, they buy the BMR or Held pieces, not trying to upgrade the cheaper tubular ones from GM.

 

fourth, because there are better options out there, Held probably has not ever had a request for poly bushings for the tubular arms, so he doesnt know what ones fit. hence why he is asking for dimensions.

 

http://www.3800performance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BMR-TA&Category_Code=SB&Product_Count=12

 

http://www.heldmotorsports.com/WBody/Arms.htm

[Piston.Hurricane]

first, 98 GP's did not come from the factory with tubular trailing arms. those are an upgrade from GM.

It appears that I did not word my question clearly. I only referenced the '98 GP so everyone would know where the lateral arms came from (I'm still an infant regarding knowledge of W-body interchangability). The tubular trailing arms I referenced were going to be the GM upgrade units which I would purchase later (I have since discarded this idea). The '98 GP I stripped did not have tubular trailing arms, as you stated.

 

third, for those who are wanting the ultimate in trailing arms, they buy the BMR or Held pieces, not trying to upgrade the cheaper tubular ones from GM.

I agree. BMR, Held, and UMI units appear far superior. This is why I have decided not to do anything regarding the GM tubular trailing arms.

 

fourth, because there are better options out there, Held probably has not ever had a request for poly bushings for the tubular arms, so he doesnt know what ones fit. hence why he is asking for dimensions.

The lateral arms pictured on the Held website appear identical to the units I took from the GP (and exactly like others I have seen on later Monte Carlos and other W-bodys). This would lead anyone to assume that Lee has lateral arm bushings of correct dimensions ready to go and would not need me to supply the measurements of mine.

[Dark Ride]

fourth, because there are better options out there, Held probably has not ever had a request for poly bushings for the tubular arms, so he doesnt know what ones fit. hence why he is asking for dimensions.

The lateral arms pictured on the Held website appear identical to the units I took from the GP (and exactly like others I have seen on later Monte Carlos and other W-bodys). This would lead anyone to assume that Lee has lateral arm bushings of correct dimensions ready to go and would not need me to supply the measurements of mine.

IMHO, that it would be better to just buy the whole set of lateral link/arms from Lee @ Held. My understanding that these arms are still better than the stock 2nd gens. People that steal the lateral arms out of a 2nd gen car usually use the rubber bushings that are still in the arm, they just wanted a cheaper but not quite as good alternative. Lee quoted me $260 for all four lateral links, and that includes greasable poly bushings. So thats the option I'm going to take when I do it, but thats just me.

[Piston.Hurricane]

Lee quoted me $260 for all four lateral links, and that includes greasable poly bushings. So thats the option I'm going to take when I do it, but thats just me.

 

He just quoted me $310 for all four lateral links ($180 for the adjustables and $130 for the fixed). Don't wait too long, sounds like his prices are skyrocketing.

[Piston.Hurricane]

Mine came from Held, www.heldmotorsports.com contact Lee there and he can set you up.

 

Jamie

After telling me he can sell me bushings but must know measurements first, his latest email now states that he does not sell poly bushings for stock arms. I'd like to know how you got him to sell you a set of bushings.

 

I'm done with this guy. His emails are total confusing and contradictory. I can only imagine what it must be like to deal with him in person.

[CSI_MuNkY]

I bought the whole arms ($130 per set x3 sets) And they come with the poly bushings...

 

The stock arms have no provisions for grease fittings, so any poly bushings you get would have to be graphite impregnated.

Lee's bushings are ALL greaseable.

The only way to get graphite impregnated ones is to go through PST (that I am aware of), and they do not have them for our cars.

 

Honestly, you are further ahead to buy all 3 sets of arms from BMR or Held (held are less expensive, just as good quality IMO)

 

Jamie

[Dark Ride]

$130/pair = 4 lateral links total = $260

[CSI_MuNkY]

$130/pair = 4 lateral links total = $260

 

He charges the same price for his tubular trailing arms, thats how I got x3

 

Jamie

[Dark Ride]

$130/pair = 4 lateral links total = $260

 

He charges the same price for his tubular trailing arms, thats how I got x3

 

Jamie

Yeah, I know he does and I know you did the whole works, I've read your thread more than once I was referring to this

Lee quoted me $260 for all four lateral links, and that includes greasable poly bushings. So thats the option I'm going to take when I do it, but thats just me.

 

He just quoted me $310 for all four lateral links ($180 for the adjustables and $130 for the fixed). Don't wait too long, sounds like his prices are skyrocketing.

Doing the math he is actually cutting you a deal since 180 x 2 = $360

I'm done with this guy. His emails are total confusing and contradictory. I can only imagine what it must be like to deal with him in person.

 

I've gotta say I've heard absolutely nothing but praise for Lee @ Held, other than hes crazy busy. Maybe there is some miscommunication

[CSI_MuNkY]

He is crazy busy... I have contacted him a couple times about developing new parts and he just doesn't have time. On top of what you see on his website he does work under contract for other aftermarket companies. Which ones I am unsure, thats all he told me.

 

Jamie

[Piston.Hurricane]

You guys must have a different rear suspension that I have. My four lateral arms consists of 2 of one length and 2 of a different length. $180/pr for the long ones (adjustables) + $130/pr for the short ones (fixed length) = $310 for all four lateral arms.

 

I wasn't aware that some W-bodys had four lateral arms that are all the same length, thus allowing a $260 price tag. Then again, I've only been paying attention to the 1995+ Monte/Lumina cars in the jy.

 

I'm sure there's some confusion here...sounds like we're not comparing apples to apples.

[CSI_MuNkY]

They aren't the same length, mine are just non-adjustable. There is no need for adjustability on the 1st gens

 

When you place an order with Lee (at least when I did) he has you double check the length of YOUR arms to be sure that he is making the correct ones for you. I guess he has run into a variety of different lengths on w-bodies over the years.

 

Jamie

[Dark Ride]

Doesn't your car have the C-channel ones stock?

[Andrew]

After telling me he can sell me bushings but must know measurements first, his latest email now states that he does not sell poly bushings for stock arms.

The tubular trailing arms you have are NOT stock. when you say stock , he thinks you have the stamped "c-channel" arms. there would be no reason to make poly bushings for those. you need to tell him you have the GMPP trailing arms.

[Piston.Hurricane]

After telling me he can sell me bushings but must know measurements first, his latest email now states that he does not sell poly bushings for stock arms.

The tubular trailing arms you have are NOT stock. when you say stock , he thinks you have the stamped "c-channel" arms. there would be no reason to make poly bushings for those. you need to tell him you have the GMPP trailing arms.

 

The post refers to lateral arms, not trailing arms.

[mra32]

if you want bushings, cant you get some from energy suspension or that other company? This is most likely where anyone who makes tubular trailing arms gets them.

[Piston.Hurricane]

if you want bushings, cant you get some from energy suspension or that other company? This is most likely where anyone who makes tubular trailing arms gets them.

 

I've checked all the major companies and no one makes specific replacements. The best most can offer is choosing from a bunch of universal bushings (none of which I can find that will work). Guess I'm stayiing with rubber.

[CSI_MuNkY]

Lee makes his own bushings

 

Jamie

[mra32]

get a lathe and some material...there are 3 critical dimensions on the thing, should take you about 20 minutes to bang out at absolute worst