[caprice181]

The OEM body mount bushings for our cars are pretty much non existent but is it possible bushings from other cars would fit. I was looking at some info on Impala Bob's Inc. website http://www.impalas.com/body-hardware/body-mounts/.

What caught my eye is that the kits being sold for the 1958 - 1970 models are rubber. I'm hoping someone will know if these bushings are close to the ones we need. Sort of like how no one makes a direct replacement for Impala springs but there are some that are close. Experts chime in please.

Does anyone have a set of our bushings so we would have dimensions to compare others too?

 

[Navy Lifer]

Zack at PPM had plans to do a reproduction of the B-body mounts. That was a couple of years ago, but nothing has ever come of it, to my knowledge. Now that the supply is really drying up, it may be the opportunity he was waiting for.

He has the dimensions and some samples--I know because I traded him some parts at the time so he could pursue this.

Try this source, too....

 

[steve1497]

I'm interested in this as well, I think energy suspension made poly body mounts in a kit for the 91 - 96 Caprice's if I'm not mistaken.

However I'm told they're different from the boxy's in some way, shape or form.



If anyone knows where I can get a full set for a 9C1 (all body mounts, as civi Caprice's don't have the front 3 from the factory), I'd greatly appreciate it.

 

[SEO9C1]

I still have a 'pink' one I'm holding onto as if it were some type of treasure. I saved it to get the dimensions to do the exact same cross reference the OP inquired about. Work's been keeping me from routine participation, but if it'll help and others are willing to pursue this, I'll provide measurements. However, to determine the actual "hardness" of the rubber is beyond my home garage capabilities.

 

[steve1497]

If you could provide me with the dimensions for it, I should be able to give them to someone to match up.

Do you know what mount position the pink one was used in? I've heard that different positions have different thicknesses and overall diameter.

 

[caprice181]

If you could provide me with the dimensions for it, I should be able to give them to someone to match up.

Do you know what mount position the pink one was used in? I've heard that different positions have different thicknesses and overall diameter.

Bill, thanks for the link it looks like a good place to start.

Steve1497 & SEO9C1 please keep us posted and could you put up the dimensions so others can search as well. There has got to be an inexpensive alternative to the Scott Mueller body mount bushing out there!

 

[runesman]

I've been searching for a full set, as well. I don't have any (except the ones on my Impala SS), but I'd be willing to join in for a group purchase if someone knows how to go about doing this.

I'm looking into the link Navy Lifer posted, as well as PPM. I'll grovel if that's what it takes.

 

[steve1497]

^ I have confirmed that Energy Suspension makes a set for the 94 - 96 Impala SS


Now, what differences the frame & body of a 94 - 96 Impala SS have from a normal 91 - 96 Caprice or even boxy 80's Caprice I don't know. If someone would be able to tell the differences between them, if there are any, then that'd be great because it would mean we could all use the set intended for the Impala SS

 

[runesman]

Thanks for the reply. I'd recently read about the Energy Suspension option. As I recall, their bushings are polyurethane and have to heavily lubed to prevent squeaking. I went to energysuspensionparts.com (an independent dealer) and here's what I found.

Part # 3.4145 Body Mount Bushings (link: http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3.4145)
Cost: $85.22
This is the standard kit, available in black or red.

Part #3.4136 Body Mount Bushings Set - Firm Durometer (link: http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3.4136)
Cost: $102.86
This kit is recommended for police, taxi, or race models (and though they won't say it, obsessive Impala SS owners). Also available in red or black.

The black bushings are graphite impregnated. The red ones are not. Otherwise, there are no other differences in performance.

They also sell Energy Suspension pre-lube.
Part #9.11104 Formula 5 Prelube 8oz. Tub (link: http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9.11104)
Cost: $10.99
A review recommended using gloves and acid brushes (I had to Google that one) when applying.

The energysuspensionparts.com site has pretty good info for their products. Check out the tabs in the pictures. The only thing I didn't see where sizes (i.e., 3/4, 5/8, or 7/8). Qalo'ss Impala SS Handbook (among others) referenced these sizes for the out-of-production rubber bushings.

Some questions for you experts out there.

I'm under the impression size is a factor for the rubber bushings. Will this be a factor with the polyurethane bushings?

Would the "standard" polyurethane bushings be the equivalent of the "standard" rubber ones? Can the same be said for the "performance" ones?

Scott Mueller (from The Herd) thinks replacing the bushings is an "incredibly inexpensive, unbelievably easy to install, and extremely effective handling modification for the '94-'96 Impala SS". Near as I can tell, Scott Mueller is an icon in the B-body Impala SS community - kind of like Navy Lifer - so his writings are gospel for me.

That said, I'll wait for all y'all's input before I make a decision. Hope to hear from you soon.

Runesman

PS I've PDF'd a substantial amount of material on upgrades, instructions, parts, etc., mostly from (you guessed it) Navy Lifer and Scott Mueller. I'd be happy to share it with anyone out there who'd like to have it.

 

[Milkman]

Would these bushings be the same between the impala and the roadmaster sedan 94-96

 

[fuzzcar]

Back when Scott Mueller wrote that the lower bushings in question were cheap and plentiful.

It seems I got one of the last sets of upper and lower bushings when I ordered mine a year ago or so.

There were different suspension packages and that made the difference of what bushings you got from the factory. If you order an impala bushing kit for a caprice it will work, or vice versa, unless you have a wagon.

 

[runesman]

I don't think so. I couldn't find a listing for them in the Energy Suspension catalog. I did a search for all 3 years on the energysuspensionparts.com sit and came up empty handed.

I didn't look, but they do make universal application products; you might want to check them out. Good luck.

Runesman

 

[coldsteelmike]

The black Energy Suspension bushings are graphite impregnated, and are less prone to squeak/squeal.

The red Energy Suspension bushings are a harder poly material (1), and are NOT graphite impregnated (2). This means that you must manual lube them in order to stave off squeak/squeal. Basically, FOR TRACK CARS ONLY.

-Mike

 

[runesman]

Mike, I'm aware of the particulars between the black and red bushings, as well as the lubing requirements (see my previous post). Are you saying that the red (firm durometer) bushings will result in a much harsher ride? I drive my Impala SS daily, so it sounds like I need to go with the black (standard) bushings.

Thanks.
Runesman

 

[coldsteelmike]

Mike, I'm aware of the particulars between the black and red bushings, as well as the lubing requirements (see my previous post). Are you saying that the red (firm durometer) bushings will result in a much harsher ride? I drive my Impala SS daily, so it sounds like I need to go with the black (standard) bushings.

Thanks.
Runesman

Yep, they will. There have been several folks over the years that have reported back regarding their bushing installs (threads lost due to crashes). The red's are generally referred to as too hard. They also begin squeaking after some time.

The black's are more suitable for an everyday driver application, being softer and having the graphite in them. This means self lubricating, and a softer (than the red's) bushing.

Make no mistake though; both of their offerings are firmer (higher duromter rating) than the OE rubber's. So the 'performance' will be there. The value in this mod, aside from basic maintenance on our aging sleds, is in more tightly matching up the front body with the front frame, for a 'tighter' feel.

-Mike

 

[runesman]

The black's are more suitable for an everyday driver application, being softer and having the graphite in them. This means self lubricating, and a softer (than the red's) bushing.

Mike, would you recommend using the Force 5 pre-lube from Energy Suspension? (Or any other brand/type.)

 

[Milkman]

i heard the body bushings are the same for 91-96 caprice 94-96 impala and 94-96 roadmaster, being that,
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/proddetail.asp?prod=3.4145
these should fit all our vehicles.

also

I thought that the RED parts were harder and more performance oriented?
This is a common misconception. The red parts have the same durometer (hardness) as the Black parts and differ only in their actual appearance (color) and the fact that they're NOT graphite impregnated like the Black parts.

 

[runesman]

i heard the body bushings are the same for 91-96 caprice 94-96 impala and 94-96 roadmaster, being that,
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=3.4145
these should fit all our vehicles.

also


Quote:
I thought that the RED parts were harder and more performance oriented?
This is a common misconception. The red parts have the same durometer (hardness) as the Black parts and differ only in their actual appearance (color) and the fact that they're NOT graphite impregnated like the Black parts. /QUOTE]

Milkman

Regarding the black vs. red bushings, I had forgotten about that; you are correct. I recall reading that in the FAQ on the Energy Suspension website. That said, why would the red bushings be recommended only for police cars, taxis, and racers? I think I'll send them an inquiry about this before I make a purchase. No disrespect, Mike. Just want to get all sides of the discussion.

Also, Milkman, I agree with you that the body bushings should be the same for the Roadmaster; they are B-bodies, too. But the Energy Suspension catalog didn't mention Roadmaster's in their Buick section. And a search for 94-96 Roadmaster parts on the energysuspensionparts.com website didn't turn up any body bushings.

 

[Milkman]

The red are not recomended for police/taxi, you can see that the police/taxi kit is also available in black.

Red is simply available for preference.

I wish they had blue, even though you probrably never see the bushing unless your car is on two wheels, which i haven't done yet.

 

[runesman]

Gentlemen, we're all right. I've been so caught up with looking at the trees that I missed the forest.

Energy Suspension makes 2 types of body bushings for the Impala SS. One is a standard set (part # 3.4145), available in red and black. The other is a performance set (part #3.4136), a firm durometer set also available in red and black.

Within either set, the only difference between the red and black bushings is the black are graphite impregnated. Otherwise, they are identical.

Geez, I feel like such an idiot . Maybe I need to quit drinking.

BTW, Milkman, I bet these bushing will fit on your Roadmaster. I'd give it a shot; you can always return them.

Thanks for the discussion and insight to you both, Mike and Milkman.

Runesman cwm5