Since I'm replacing brakes, I've decided to go ahead and do some suspension work. I was thinking about Rick's poly rebuild kit, which is about all I have in the budget right now. Anyone have opinions on this kit.

Also, I have a lot of play in the steering and the car wanders all over the road at highway speeds. Would this be related to the worn suspension (which is 100% original) or something in the steering?

And, lastly, how do I determine if the steering is "fast ratio" or not. There are two kits offered by Rick's, and I'm not sure which one I need. Thanks!

 

Polyurethane is not recommended for early Camaro's. I got this info from two reputable 1st gen Camaro parts suppliers here in California. Iam planning to rebiuld with standard rubber material for suspension and body mountsjust to keepclose to original as possible. I did'nt know that standard rubber material was designed to help absorb road conditions where aspolyurethane is too stiff and allows too much road shock energy to travel thoughout the frame and could lead to weak spots in the frame and shell whichwill show up as uneven gapsthroughout yourcars body panels, doors, etc., andmixing standard rubber bushings with polyurethane bushings is not recommended.
As far as the excess travel,thatis usually cause by worn bushings.Plus original rubber is less expensive than polyurethane. Hope this helps.

 

To diagnose the wandering on the road, start with the simple things first. You can easily adjust the backlash in the gears of the steering box first. Then check your tie rod ends for looseness. Finally, and a bit more difficult, check the ball joints for play. But, if you are going to replace all the rubbers you might as well bite the bullit and get a front end kit to replace everything. If you are still running on orignal parts you most likely need it. And it's easiest to do it all at once rather than teardown the front end twice!

 

Absolutely, do it once while you're there the first time.
Clyde

 

GM goes with rubber over poly because they have to create a happy medium between ride quality and performance, not because poly is bad for the car. the places that told you that info sound kind of like they don't even seel poly parts and just wanted you to buy their rubber.

in the real world poly will keep the car tighter and your "gaps" will actually stay more precise because the car has less flex than rubber. yes, poly does give a slightly rougher ride than rubber but the advantages are more than worth the slight ride deterioration. this is the first suspension mod I do on all my cars! there is no reason to trybuild a stiff handling suspension on a sloppy rubber base. also rubber makes other parts wear out quicker because of the slop in the suspension

 

Polyurethane was designed for later model light (import) cars, i.e. toyota, hondato improve handling/looks. In 1969 rubber bushings were in"the real world" andwere meant to be replaced especially on unibody cars, before any "slop" or wear developed, thus avoiding too much wear on suspension/steering parts. I will be happy to send you the info I got. They will sell poly if the customer requests it, but they will also inform them of potential structural problems. Why risk it?
Poly is great for light weight 4 bangin' front wheelburnout imports and dynacorn resto mods.
!?!? Did I just go there !?!?

 

Good Point, polyurethane bushings are used by those who want to improve the handling of their car. Rubber was used as the normin the "old" real world, but this isn't 1969 any more. Those who want to make their car handle better by polyurethane are willing to sacrifice some ride comfort. And a lot of those same cars, mine included, are built up to be way stronger structurally than GMbuilt it in the day. Considering body shock waves, I would concern myself more withthe type of tires (lower profile ride rougher), how much air you keep in the tires, stiffness of the springs, and stiffness of the shocks.

 

polyurethane bushings are used by those who want to improve the handling of their car. Rubber was used as the normin the "old" real world, but this isn't 1969 any more. Those who want to make their car handle better by polyurethane are willing to sacrifice some ride comfort. quote from Camaro 69

Another great point! If a 1st gen Camaro was designed for a 6-cyl. 230-c.i. w/140-h.p & 220 lb-ft of torque and someone want's to drop in 600+hp beast i.e. for drag racing or protouring and fails to reinforce the rest of the car, including upgrading body mounts and suspension to polyurethane, problems with the frame, doors andbody panels shouldbe expected. The only Camaro's designed by GM for that kind of power were L78's, L89's and COPO's. As far as competitivehandling, the Z-28.(Wish I had one!)
Got my info from "Camaro Restoration Handbook" suppliers index- Camaro Classics, Stockton CA. Ask for Jim.
Anyway, we all have our preferences and thats a good thing. Keep's the hobby alive.

 

Sounds like a compromise is the best choice then. Use rubber for the sub-frame mounts and radiator support. To minimize deflection in the control arms thus improve handling, use poly for front and rear (leaf spring eyes) suspension.

 

I have heard this before from my suspension teacher Back in 1985. The Camaro was designed as a 6 cylinder. It was not intended for the V-8's. That is why its one of the few cars that sags in the middle. It is not uncommon for the cross member to "sink" causing the the top of the tires to move in towards each other to the point Camber spec can no longer reached. This conditionrequires a quick pull on a frame machine beforeit goes to the alinement machine. This was so common there was upper control arm offset cross shafts available. I never understood why people used the crossshafts considering the car was on the rack less the an hour. Back then it was $60 hour. The shafts themselves where $50 plus installation.

Since owning a first gen I have done a bit of research I can say its BS. The designers just screwed up. They knew there was going to be a V-8 put in these cars from day 1 of the design. The reason the Chevy 350 was designed was to be in the first SS Camaro It was not a after thought. The Camaro was to directly compete with the Mustang. At the time they started with their pony car design the V-8 was available in the Mustang. Big blocks are another story. While some of the first cars made where SS's 350'sthe car was in production for months before the first big block came out. One could arguethe Big Blockwas not an original design.

Sorry didn't mean to Hi jack the thread but the above quote just triggered a thought.