bearings instead of bushings front control arms

[scubacarib]

i have 76 c10 with rubber bushings can i convert to bearings instead of bushings ?

 

[Blue Ox]

If you want to know the date on the dime you just ran over, sure.

 

[nabeshin]

Look into delrin bushings. I think some race cars use this stuff. It's super stiff engineered plastic, should be able to get custom sizing from some supplier that would fit as bushings. Or you could try to weld and engineer tubular control arms with heim joints, another race car-y thing

 

[Catbox]

I would look into polyurethane bushings.
They made a big difference on my '73 VW.

 

[F-64]

Just like Nabeshin said...look into Delrin. Detroit Speed and Engineering and Mark Stielow use Delrin in their lower control arms.
Here's Mark
https://www.hotrod.com/articles/mark-stielow-built-12-camaros-so-you-dont-have-to/
DSE
https://www.detroitspeed.com/front-...ird-1968-74-nova-dropped-spring-pocket-031201
steel bushings
https://pitstopusa.com/c-135890-sus...arms-control-arm-bushings-steel-bushings.html

There may be a way of using needle bearings as the swing arm on my motorcycle uses them in the pivot.

 

[WFO]

Since bearings don't have any give in them, I'd think they would hammer open the holes in the control arms when hittin pot holes and such.

Just replacing worn out bushings with new ones makes a big difference.

 

[metal tech]

contact Global West, they make numerous Delrin bushing sets for GM and Ford. You may need measure your control arms so they can possibly match on the shelf parts. I installed a set on my 94 Vette up front. No increase in ride harshness as I didn't change either the shocks or spring rate. The lack of flex/give from the factory rubber made the steering and suspension response much sharper.

 

[Donald]

Blue ox is right , you will get a lot more road feel in your steering .

 

[MikeB]

I'm not sure how you'd engineer a modification to accept some type of bearings.??? Neither the control arms or shafts are machined for bearings/races. It would take lots of machining and possibly welding and fabrication. And for what benefit?

I highly recommend name brand poly bushings, like Prothane or Energy Suspension. Much easier to install than rubber bushings, and they will never crack. Be sure to use liberal amounts of the proper grease. Some say the ride is rougher than rubber bushings, but I've never noticed it. I've also used them in cars with no noticeable difference, except for quicker steering response. It's a win/win deal.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ens-3-3161g

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[Arkansas_V8]

i have 76 c10 with rubber bushings can i convert to bearings instead of bushings ?

What was your thought process about going from bushings to bearings?

I can’t picture a scenario in my head where bearings are better than bushings.

 

[F-64]

Arkansas, bearings will prevent any bind allowing the suspension move freely along it's axis. At the same time it will keep the suspension alignment settings from straying outside of that axis. This will help with keeping your contact patch as consistent as possible. I'm not sure if that is why Scuba is looking at bearing though. You could also run heim joints.

 

[scubacarib]

sorry for the loong delay i had some older chevys that used bearings they were the heavy duty 8 lug trucks

 

[Grit dog]

sorry for the loong delay i had some older chevys that used bearings they were the heavy duty 8 lug trucks

Define "older".
And why would this be a consideration?

 

[DoubleDingo]

Since bearings don't have any give in them, I'd think they would hammer open the holes in the control arms when hittin pot holes and such.

Just replacing worn out bushings with new ones makes a big difference.

The old C20 bushings were steel, no deformed holes in the arms.

 

[DoubleDingo]

sorry for the loong delay i had some older chevys that used bearings they were the heavy duty 8 lug trucks

Steel bushings, not bearings