subframe bushing replacement question

[crash]

my 97 awd is clunking when starting or stopping... turns out it's the rear most subframe bushings that are shot

dorman makes them for around $20 each (in Canada)

hard job to change them? should i do it myself or have a shop do them?

how long of a job is it?

thanks
rob

[MountainManJoe]

Wouldn't the procedure be the same as adding lift blocks? You might as well do all of them. If so, you could do it yourself with a few jack stands, but since you live in ON, be prepared for seized bolts, so presoak now! Have a hole saw ready. Probably should grab some new bolts.

[astroturf]

Why Dorman?

What is the price difference from GM Parts Direct or Rock Auto?

Dorman Quality is not GM Quality.

Just Curious, Jim

[doyoulikeithere]

I would love to find a set of poly body mount bushings!

Anyone know where I might find those, available to Canada?

[crash]

Wouldn't the procedure be the same as adding lift blocks? You might as well do all of them. If so, you could do it yourself with a few jack stands, but since you live in ON, be prepared for seized bolts, so presoak now! Have a hole saw ready. Probably should grab some new bolts.

i'll get on the presoaking thing. the kits come with new bolts. haven't found a part # for front bushings

Why Dorman?

What is the price difference from GM Parts Direct or Rock Auto?

Dorman Quality is not GM Quality.

Just Curious, Jim

you do know jim that gm doesn't make most of their replacement parts, right? delco is now just a brand that contracts out to different companies (most likely the lowest bidder) to make their replacement parts.
dorman because, they don't just replicate an OE part, they see what causes the failure and correct the issue. not saying that a part won't 'wear out' per say but, if there is a major design flaw that contributes to premature failure, they improve on the design/quality. i sell auto parts for a living and make not of a lot of these types of things. the only items that i have come across so far that seems to make a difference is distributor caps branded delco. personal experience.

I would love to find a set of poly body mount bushings!

Anyone know where I might find those, available to Canada?

i'd check energy suspension ... oh disregard .. no subframe (aka body) bushings available

[1Gary]

Wouldn't the procedure be the same as adding lift blocks? You might as well do all of them. If so, you could do it yourself with a few jack stands, but since you live in ON, be prepared for seized bolts, so presoak now! Have a hole saw ready. Probably should grab some new bolts.

i'll get on the presoaking thing. the kits come with new bolts. haven't found a part # for front bushings

Why Dorman?

What is the price difference from GM Parts Direct or Rock Auto?

Dorman Quality is not GM Quality.

Just Curious, Jim

you do know jim that gm doesn't make most of their replacement parts, right? delco is now just a brand that contracts out to different companies (most likely the lowest bidder) to make their replacement parts.
dorman because, they don't just replicate an OE part, they see what causes the failure and correct the issue. not saying that a part won't 'wear out' per say but, if there is a major design flaw that contributes to premature failure, they improve on the design/quality. i sell auto parts for a living and make not of a lot of these types of things. the only items that i have come across so far that seems to make a difference is distributor caps branded delco. personal experience.

I would love to find a set of poly body mount bushings!

Anyone know where I might find those, available to Canada?

i'd check energy suspension ... oh disregard .. no subframe (aka body) bushings available

SafariRob with the poly stuff said the squeaking in his a-frames drove him crazy.Not sure if that would be the same for body mounts.Sure would suck if it did and you ended up doing the job twice.If you look how old yours is and how long they lasted,might better off just with a OEM replacement part.That will be my plan while I build up the sub frame for Ole Yellar with a pipe spacer lift.

[astroturf]

Hey Crash,

Thanks for the quick response.

Sounds like you have it under control.

Keep us posted... Rule 6b... Please.

Jim

[doyoulikeithere]

I would love to find a set of poly body mount bushings!
Anyone know where I might find those, available to Canada?

[/quote]

SafariRob with the poly stuff said the squeaking in his a-frames drove him crazy.Not sure if that would be the same for body mounts.Sure would suck if it did and you ended up doing the job twice.If you look how old yours is and how long they lasted,might better off just with a OEM replacement part.That will be my plan while I build up the sub frame for Ole Yellar with a pipe spacer lift.

So Gary, is that a no then?

[1Gary]

To answer your question,for me the new OEM and the fact they lasted,in my case,from 1989 to current is good enough.It is said that with the poly,it doesn't flex as much.And I don't know if they would squeak like SafariRob's did when installed in this a-frames.But my two cents worth is the same as everything else.Your only as good as your weakest link.The sub frames need more bracing to keep them from flexing.So I think if your use the poly stuff,it just transfers to the sub frame flexing.

[MountainManJoe]

To answer your question...

I think his question was, can you buy poly bushings in Canada?. Your reply doesn't answer it at all, Gary.

[Cobra]

i do know 2 canadian distributors of energy suspension but it would probably be cheaper to buy it from summit racing or someone like that and ship it usps

[doyoulikeithere]

To answer your question, Your only as good as your weakest link.

Thanks Gary, I will keep that in mind.

Yes, Energy Susp and Summit were 2 of my first try's, but it seem there is no poly mounts available for the Astro-Safari.
I've heard tell that some of the bushings used in an 87 K5 Blazer are the same, and I see poly bushing kits for that truck but they are very very expensive and I wont need over half of it.
Plus I cant find a part listing for only the bushings I will need for an Astro because those places sell kits for the K5.

I was just hoping someone else had found some so I could find out where and what......

Thanks.

[1Gary]

I too have read about crossover parts,but for the life of me I can't remember the details.Maybe you measure them then talk to suppliers.It might work out they don't build them for the intended use of Astros,but have them for other models not knowing they would work for a Astro.

[Cobra]

the cross over was for the control arms not body mounts

[tribri1]

I've put both leaf spring and body bushings by energy on my '68 jeep. I didn't have any squeaking issues. At the time (Mid 90s) the black ones were graphite impregnated, the red ones were not. I'm not sure if that is still the case. If it is go for the black, it will keep your ride quieter...

You can get body bushings, but you need to do a little work because they don't have a kit put together. If you can take measurements on the stock body bushings you can buy them a la carte. For the good of the many, if anyone decides to go this route, please post you measurements :-)