urethane x Rubber suspension bushings

[lcvaldetaro]

I'm trying to work on the handling of my 74 ghia.

I use it on the streets. Want to occasionally race it.

I'm very inclined to exchange all bushings to urethane, but i have heard that urethane bushings squeaks... Is that true?

[helowrench]

Go to the Handling section.
Look for Ghia Road Course Setup.
all the info is there

[lcvaldetaro]

I did look at that section, but found no mention of squeaks. I posted here with hopes that fjcamper will see it.

[helowrench]

When I did mine i ran a search here and TOS amd found that the spring plate bushings are the ones people had problems squeaking. So when I did the entire rear I used the stock rubber style in the spring plates and the red urethane in the diagonal arm bushings.
Handles like a different car.

[juki48]

I put urethane in the diagonal arms and the outer spring plate bushings. I bought a tub of Energy Suspension lubricant on amazon and coated everything with it.
http://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension ... B000MW5SJ4
this is the stickiest stuff I have ever worked with! wear gloves, it's like silicone calk. I've only put one season on them but no squeaking. the new bushings made the rear end feel solid and it feels like it reduced body roll. I'm very happy.

[FJCamper]

Hi lcvaldetaro,

Yes, urethane can squeak very loudly, if not well lubricated.

I lubed our Ghias up not to stop squeeks, but to stop any chance of binding. Apparently any good lube works. I used black moly.

FJC

[Piledriver]

The Energy Suspension black (moly-graphite) do not squeak for me after 3 years of use, 80 miles a day.
IIRC the ACVW are actually made by Prothane. Do NOT buy the reds.

I did polish up the spring plate where they rub and used the supplied lube.
It works great on air cleaner seals too.

Running a T3, so can only comment on how they work out back, front end is still needle bearings, but with much better grease than was made back in the day.

[lcvaldetaro]

1-What's wrong with the reds?

2-Where do I find: 2a-Energy Suspension black (moly-graphite), and 2b-made by Prothane.

Thanks!

LCV

[Piledriver]

The red ones are only urethane with no molybdenum disulfide or graphite powder additives (dry lubricants)
The reds are highly prone to wear and squeakage.

I bought them from http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/ but you can order them through Autozone and other retailers once you have the part#s if you are in no hurry.

I had mine in 3 days, YMMV.

This info is all in threads on the suspension and handling forum.

I suggest the complete kit if you have a T1.

[lcvaldetaro]

Thank you sir! Will this kit work on my 74 ghia:

http://www.energysuspensionparts.com/pr ... rod=222003

If it is, do you know if this kit is for both front and back?

I really appreciate the help!

[Piledriver]

That's the right kit, but as Marc noted it's best if possible to use the rubber bits for the shift coupler and put them in a German coupler cage...
...Also Marc has brought up a good point elsewhere, many of us not a fan of the urethane steering couplers, the factory multi-layer conveyor belt material type is more robust, same for the nosecone mount.

IIRC it works out so the nosecone mount, steering and shift couplers are free vs. just buying the front and rear suspension and bump stop bits, so it's ~ a wash.

Make sure to order the black stuff.