Okay, I'm hoping to get some advice about what would be the best set to order to upgrade my front end.
I've been reading a bit on the internet about different kinds of bushings and their pro's and con's... I will not be doing any drag racing or anything with my Firebird, I'm just looking for a good set of bushings for a cruiser. Off course, any handling upgrade would be nice though.
Several options:
1) My first choice, order THIS entire set. The Polygraphite graphite impregnated polyurethane high performance bushings from PST.
These are supposed to be really good for handling. However, I've read somewhere that bacause of the stiffness, the squeeking noise increases as well, while driving. Also, you shouldn't get any WD-40 or oil or anything on them or they will be damaged. And the lifetime was supposed to be shorter as well. Any experience with that? Are they louder? PST's Polygraphite bushings are graphite-impregnated and are claimed to be less prone to squeak when cold. In the FAQ it reads:
between 30 and 40 MPH, VERY low-frequency road noise is amazingly loud inside the car. Until now I'd never had this problem. Does anyone know what this is? Are the new mounting pads to blame, or perhaps removing the spring mounting plates? Will the sound lessen over time? It's really loud, and very low frequency. I'd appreciate any input.
A: Did you use/replace the rubber isolators on the new rear springs? Mounting them solidly is OK for road racing or drag racing but not good for street cruising. Also what kind of spring and a-arm bushings were used /replaced? forget the urethane for the same reasons. Stick with the GM stuff for the nicest package.
Any thoughts, Tom and Pete?
2) the standard front end redo set from Classics:
Looks pretty complete, is a bit cheaper. Question is whether the handling with PST set is much better or not. And if it squeeks less perhaps?
3) The A-shaft arms, several suggested to replace them. I presume because the bolt is out? When I inspect them, it seems as if it fell out and did not break off. Is there any other reason to replace them, handling or security-wise...?
4) then there is the issue which springs to install. I like the QA1 springs Claus suggested. Are they easy to adjust? I don't want to go too low, and want to kep a little bit of a stock appearance. Adjustable sounds great for that.
5) Swaybars.. A bigger swaybar gets some better handling I presume. I will probably order the set from PST to replace my standard front swaybar.
