trying to replace orig center link bushings w/ poly, purchased set from cc will not fit. center metal shaft 1/16" shorter, outside dia. bigger. are there tricks or is it parts I selected, does the orig metal sleve remain Thanks for any help. Craig

Hey, Sophie,

Great project... no immediate answer, tho... CentralCoaster is the man to talk to about this, he did this project on his 85 and I know he ran into similar issues you are describing. I just don't remember his solution.

Here's a summary of my PMs with him for posterity...


You have to remove the outer aluminum sleeves. There's no other way, in my experience. Side by side, the bushing OD looks the same size as the sway bar hole. You have to push the bushing in there first then slide the inner sleeve in last.
The instructions say the rears go in with NO outer sleeve. Fronts are supposed to reuse the sleeve.

I have a spare set from Energy suspension for the rear sway bar end links, part #4904 stamped on the bushings, fits 63-92 vettes, let me know if you need em.

Also if you ever do the rear axle housing (batwing) bushings, the sleeves on that have to come out too.

Let me know if you do the rear control arms or the upper fronts, there's a few tricks to doing those right.

I replaced all the bushings on my 85 with poly and the biggest PITA were the sway bar end link bushings. There was a pronounced lip on the bushings for the end links and no matter what I tried I could not get the bushings in. I ended up using a belt sander to bevel this lip and they slipped right in. Then I pressed in the metal shaft. The sway bar bushing from my recollection was not that bad to get in. I used a press and do remember doing the bushing first and then the metal shaft