stabilizer bar bushings

[hisilver]

The other day I replaced my front stabilizer bar bushings (06 silverado) with Energy Suspension polyurethane ones. The OEM rubber ones were cracked and dry and needed replacing. Took maybe 30 minutes.
What a nice upgrade! Front end feels much 'tighter'. I probably wouldn't go urethane for body mounts and such but the stab. bar is a place that I think benefits from the urethane (some say it transmits vibration more than rubber).
Overall I got that like new feel back.

 

[xxch4osxx]

I will have to look into that for my truck if it made that much of a difference.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

with 72.xxx on the clock i honestly think my truck still feels pretty solid and good. Good tip though, when the time comes im going to have to remember that !

 

[hisilver]

I also have 72XXX miles on mine. I couldn't believe the improvement. I wasn't expecting to feel a difference.

 

[yesthatsteve]

I did it to the xB at 100k. A nice improvement.

 

[gathermewool]

The increase in noise is usually a result of not using enough of the proper lube - there's the potential for the poly bushing to squeal as the bar moved back and forth.

As far as the benefit, it's usually only noticeable during the transition period, as you're just loading that side of the suspension. The spring rate added due to the sway won't change, but the rubber bushing (especially after worn) will need to compress before the relatively stiff sway will begin to torque and bend to raise the spring rate.

 

[mechtech2]

Urethane bushings on the end links can really help make it act like a larger bar.
A nice upgrade, usually. Keep those urethane bushing lubed [on the main bar body].

 

[hisilver]

Yep, they have zerks built in. Pumped some Valvoline cerulean in there. Also the black bushings are impregnated with I forget what (Teflon?) so they shouldn't make a peep and haven't.

 

[mechtech2]

If there was enough graphite impregnated to lube things, it would not hold together at all.
It is mostly a color thing.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
Urethane bushings on the end links can really help make it act like a larger bar.
A nice upgrade, usually. Keep those urethane bushing lubed [on the main bar body].


Absolutely!

Also - you don't feel your suspension parts wear over time..you notice it when you replace shocks and bushings with new and then see what you've been missing lol!