Aftermarket Suspension Bushings

[elvin315]

FOLLOW-UP

It's hard for me to let some things go. I'm still looking for better bushings for the Catera. I exchanged emails with Bob Chen, an Omega owner in Taiwan. He has used BMW M5 (E34) bushings successfully in his Omega. This bushing is the BMW's upper/rear bushing but it's identical to the Catera's front/horizontal in size. It will work. BMW Part number 31122226528. Now that I knew which bushing would fit I took it a step further and searched the E34 aftermarket looking for better than stock BMW and found the following.

These bushings were recommended on a BMW E34 site. Made by Meyle in Germany, they use harder rubber than stock and not polyurethane.
http://www.meyle.com/html/uploads/te...W_12.04_us.pdf

German Auto Salvage (new parts) Oregon - Meyle HD
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/images/6e_1_b.jpg
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/images/525arm.jpg
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/services4.html

The following Meyle bushings are for the Opel Omega and fit the Catera. Instead of subbing for only the front/horizontal bushing, like the BMW bushing, they replace all the major bushings in the front and rear suspensions. I can't confirm if they are Heavy Duty or not. Maybe our Omega owner cousins know.
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&

Korman Autoworks is a BMW specialist in North Carolina. I don't know whose bushing they sell. Those interested can call. They also sell BMW M5 anti-sway bar bushings but I can't confirm they'll fit the Catera. The bar diameter (26mm) is the same for both cars but I can't find the other dimensions for either car's ASB bushings.
BMW M5 (E34) Heavy-Duty Thrust Rod Bushings: Part # 3112567
E34 M5 Anti-Sway Bar (front - 26mm) Bushing: Part # 3110M52
http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/m5m6susp.htm

As for Polyurethane Bushings, I'm beginning to think they're not the way to go. At least not in the front suspension. For a track car maybe but the more I read the more I believe they would ruin the excellent ride quality our cars have. I plan to replace the front struts and rear shock absorbers with Koni Sport units when the time comes and with polybushings I'm afraid the ride would be unbearable. Another thing. With one horizontal BMW polybushing and one GM rubber vertical bushing I'm afraid the rubber one will wear even faster than normal. Having said that I did find a polybushing for the Catera front suspension. Powerflex: PFF5-601 (#1 in the diagram).
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....y=9&submit1=GO


The rear suspension is a different story. The trailing arms don't deal with cornering or braking the same way the front wishbones do. Polyurethane bushings don't change the ride characteristics as much and with built in eccentrics it's easier to adjust the camber and reduce tire wear. Especially in lowered cars. They're designed to provide a camber adjustment range of an additional +/-1.0 degree above base settings to help meet the wheel alignment specs. Being polybushings they also improve handling by reducing the slop in the rear arms. Whiteline Automotive and Super Pro Camber Adjustment Kits are polyurethane bushings for the Holden Commodore (VT) and fit the Catera' rear trailing arms.

Whiteline's KCA384 kit contains the following hardware parts:
4 x polyurethane bushes, 2 x metal crush tubes, 2 x high tensile bolts, short, 2 x high tensile bolts, long
2 x nuts, 4 x spring washers, 1 x grease bag
https://www.whiteline.com.au/store/d...sp?part=KCA384

TEIN USA/Super Pro "Camber & Toe" Bushing: # SPF0877K.
http://www.fulcrumsuspensions.com.au...tein_kits.html

This is what I found. There may be other bushings and other vendors.

Elvin

[MyOpel]

If you're really serious ($) about suspension talk to Devon Powell. He is well known and very respected by the road racing community.
http://www.powellmotorsport.com/inde...display&pid=12
here is an example of what he might be able to do with our front control arm, shown is a cobalt arm.
http://www.powellmotorsport.com/inde...&g2_itemId=307

[lakesidepark]

I'm watching this thread with great interest. This is the next big job I will be tackling on my Cat.

Elvin don't let it go. I fer one applaud ya.

[elvin315]

Originally Posted by MyOpel

If you're really serious ($) about suspension talk to Devon Powell. He is well known and very respected by the road racing community.
http://www.powellmotorsport.com/inde...display&pid=12
here is an example of what he might be able to do with our front control arm, shown is a cobalt arm.
http://www.powellmotorsport.com/inde...&g2_itemId=307

What.........you trying to kill me.........feeding my addiction? Seriously, thanks for the links. Man what I would do if I had the money. Unfortunately I'm on a fixed income right now so mine are strictly budget mods. But if I had the money................



Elvin

[MyOpel]

When I first posted I didn't look at all the pictures, now that I look at them I realized that BMW actually designed that bushing to compress. On a bumpy road you want the wheel to go up and down vertically without camber change however under hi cornering you want more negative camber. The BMW bushing allows this because on the bumpy road there is not much side load so the camber will not change, but in a fast corner there is lots of side load and the bushing will compress and allow the upper arm to come in closer to the body increasing the negative camber and thus the tire is planted better on the road. Installing this bushing in our front control arms would cause them to change toe under sever forces. Probably not noticeable on the street unless you hit a very large pot hole but under performance driving conditions it would cause bump steer.

I'm a big fan of poly in street applications, provided they are used correctly. Front vertical bushing is NO place to put poly, but the horizontal bushing would be fine. Also remember the poly bushings operate much differently and road fell is not as rough as people say. Under normal driving if you had two identical new cars one with rubber and one with poly I think it would be difficult to tell the difference.

HaHa Elvin you think I’m killing you! I often get together with some of the corvette forum members, one of them has a 600hp road race corvette and he gave me a ride around Mosport. And this is what I was Forced to watch last weekend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BbOhPCJIREY
If only I had the money and room I’d love to build a dedicated race Catera, maybe in 10 years time

[elvin315]

UPDATE:

Another installment in my search for better Catera handling. I have found alternatives to the stock GM bushings among them a few polyurethane bushings. The rear/vertical bushing in the front control arm is still eluding me. There are springs and struts/shocks too. Even a tool to pull the old bushings out and the new ones in. Below is what I have found so far. I can't say how any of these components will affect your ride quality or handling. I can only say that they will fit.

Homemade Bearing Tool (Removal/Installation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ5FkOoT5QE
Simple homemade tool to pull the bushings out & in.

Ingalls Engineering Camber Adjusting Bolt: part # IEC-I-81260
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...D81260&FROM=MG
Eccentric bolts to increase camber range for lowered front suspension.

Meyle Bushings BMW E34/M5 HD Bushings: part # 31121136607MY
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/services4.html
Heavy Duty rubber front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Meyle Bushings (Opel Omega)
Front Horizontal Bushing 58.5mm: part # 614 035 0016
Rear Vertical Bushing 48.5mm: part # 614 035 0010
Rear Outer Bushing 45mm: part # 614 042 0003
Rear Outer Bushing 43mm: part # 614 042 0004
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&
Rubber bushings for the Opel Omega/Catera. I have sent emails to Meyle and German Auto Salvage asking whether these bushings are Heavy Duty. No answer yet.

Meyle Control Arms w/bushings & ball joints: part # 616 050 0017(Left) - 616 050 0018(Right)
New wishbones loaded with Meyle rubber bushings & balljoint.
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&

NOTE:
Meyle makes a large range of replacement parts for the Opel Omega that we can use in our Cateras.
Use their search engine and leave the the last box [select...(not required)].

Korman Autoworks:
BMW M5 (E34) Heavy-Duty Thrust Rod Bushings: Part # 3112567
http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/m5m6susp.htm
Heavy Duty BMW/M5 bushing for Catera front/horizontal control arm bushing.

Powerflex BMW E34/M5: part # PFF5-601 (polyurethane)
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....y=9&submit1=GO
Polyurethane front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Whiteline Rear Suspension Bushing: part # KCA384 (polyurethane/eccentric) rear outer position only
http://www.globalperformanceparts.co...ons/KCA384.pdf
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings for lowered rear suspension (outer position only).

SuperPro Rear Suspension Bushing: part # SPF0877K (polyurethane/eccentric)
http://www.superpro.com.au/download/4381.link
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings for lowered rear suspension (outer position only).

Intrax Lowering Springs: Part # INT-25-1-001
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...%2D001&FROM=MG
Lower the car 1.6 inch (40.6mm) front and 1.4 inch (35.5mm) rear.

VOGTLAND Lowering Springs: part # 955120
http://vogtlandsuspension.com/p71/Ca...duct_info.html
Lower the car 1.2 inch (30mm) F&R.

Eibach Lowering Springs: part # E-6532-140
http://www.eibach-uk.com/
Lower the car 1.2 inches (30mm) F&R.

Koni Sport Struts & Shocks:
-Sport Strut: part # 8610-1315Sport (insert in OE strut)
-Sport Shock: part # 80-2591Sport (must disable self leveling)
http://store.summitracing.com
Struts firm. Sport ride. Adjustable for rebound.
Shocks firm. Sport ride. (non air shock).

KYB GR2:
-Strut: # 334903
-Strut Mount: part # SM5285
-Shock Mount: part # SM5287
-Strut Boot: part # SB101
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2001
OEM soft ride. No adjustments.

Monroe Sensatrac:
-Strut: part # 71503
-Strut Mount: part # 903932
-Strut Boot: part # 63619
http://www.shockwarehouse.com
OEM soft ride. No adjustments.

Monroe Max-Air Shocks:
Rear Air Shocks: part # MA825
For use with self leveling.
http://catalog.tenneco.com/monroe/shockSelector.do

Elvin

[elvin315]

I sent this email to German Auto Salvage regarding Meyle parts.

-----Original Message-----
>Sent: Apr 18, 2008 12:34 AM
>To: germanautosalvage@earthlink.net
>Subject: Opel Omega/Cadillac Catera Parts
>
>name = Elvin Rivera
>comments = I am a 2001 Cadillac Catera owner looking for better front control arm bushings than GM provides. The Catera and Opel Omega are GM clones and use the same parts except for trim. For all intents the Catera is a German car. I found the following Meyle parts for the Opel Omega on Meyle's website.
>
>Front Horizontal Bushing 58.5mm: 6140350016
>Rear Vertical Bushing 48.5mm: 6140350010
>Rear Outer Bushing 45mm: 6140420003
>Rear Outer Bushing 43mm: 6140420004
>Control Arms:
>-6160500017(Left)
>-6160500018(Right)
>
>Are the bushings Heavy Duty (or at least better than OE)? Can Catera owners order them from you? I've emailed Meyle but haven't received a reply. I browsed the Meyle site and found a ton of other parts but I'll start with these. We have no source of parts, replacement or performance, other than GM. I hope you and Meyle can help us out.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Elvin Rivera
>Buffalo, NY

I received a quick reply though it wasn't the one I hoped for.

Hi Elvin

My distributers in the US don't carry the parts you request. I assume this is because demand is weak. I will forward your e-mail to meyles US sales rep and ask if there is anyway to help out.

Thanks
John

Maybe someone at Meyle will realize they have a market for Opel Omega parts in the US. In the meantime we can order Meyle's Heavy Duty BMW M5 bushings. That's better than nothing I guess.

Elvin

[elvin315]

NEW & IMPROVED

This has gotten totally out of control. Where before I couldn't find any options to the stock Catera Sport suspension parts from GM, now there's an abundance of choices. Beware. A lot of this is guess work. Since we now know that GTO front & rear springs and rear shock absorbers will fit the Catera I'm assuming that aftermarket GTO springs and shocks will fit also. There's no good reason they shouldn't but to be on the safe side I feel I must warn you. Same goes for the BMW front bushings and Commodore rear bushings. I trust the info I've received from other owners but that's me.

Catera/Omega Suspension Upgrades:

CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS

Front

Homemade Bearing Tool (Removal/Installation)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ5FkOoT5QE
Simple homemade tool to pull the bushings out & in.

Ingalls Engineering Camber Adjusting Bolt: part # IEC-I-81260
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...D81260&FROM=MG
Eccentric bolts to increase camber range for lowered front suspension.

Meyle Bushings BMW E34/M5 HD Bushings: part # 31121136607MY
http://www.germanautosalvage.com/services4.html
Heavy Duty rubber front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Meyle Bushings (Opel Omega)
Front Horizontal Bushing 58.5mm: part # 614 035 0016
Rear Vertical Bushing 48.5mm: part # 614 035 0010
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&
Rubber bushings for the Opel Omega/Catera. I have sent emails to Meyle and German Auto Salvage asking whether these bushings are Heavy Duty. No answer yet.

Meyle Control Arms w/bushings & ball joints: part # 616 050 0017(Left) - 616 050 0018(Right)
New wishbones loaded with Meyle rubber bushings & balljoint.
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&

NOTE: Meyle makes a large range of replacement parts for the Opel Omega that we can use in our Cateras.
Use their search engine and leave the the last box [select...(not required)].

Korman Autoworks:
BMW M5 (E34) Heavy-Duty Thrust Rod Bushings: part # 3112567
http://www.kormanfastbmw.com/m5m6susp.htm
Heavy Duty BMW/M5 bushing for Catera front/horizontal control arm bushing.

MOOG: part # K90137 (1993 BMW/M5 Thrust Arm Bushing)
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
BMW OE bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport:
BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # : 31 12 2 226 528
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
OE rubber M5 bushing for Catera/Omega front/horizontal bushing.

Bavarian AutoSport: BMW/M5 Upper Control Arm Bushing: part # N81368BAV (polyurethane)
http://www.bavauto.com/shop.asp
"Our exclusive street performance bushings and mounts are made with a more forgiving urethane formula! During spirited driving, polyurethane bushings and mounts provide more responsive handling and maintain better control over suspension geometry than stock bushings. Along with this improvement in handling, though, comes a stiffer ride -- a welcome side-effect on a smooth race track, but much more noticeable on the streets. Our street performance urethane is formulated with a touch of polyester. This new compound is more forgiving than 100% urethane, so it’s better for street BMWs."

Powerflex BMW E34/M5: part # PFF5-601 (polyurethane)
http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products....y=9&submit1=GO
Polyurethane front horizontal BMW/M5 bushing for Omega/Catera.

Rear

Meyle Bushings (Opel Omega)
Rear Outer Bushing 45mm: part # 614 042 0003
Rear Outer Bushing 43mm: part # 614 042 0004
http://www.meyle.com/Home/applicatio...a=14201772640&
Rubber bushings for the Opel Omega/Catera. I have sent emails to Meyle and German Auto Salvage asking whether these bushings are Heavy Duty. No answer yet.

Whiteline Rear Suspension Bushing: part # KCA384 (polyurethane/eccentric) rear outer position only
http://www.globalperformanceparts.co...ons/KCA384.pdf
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings for lowered rear suspension (outer position only).

SuperPro Rear Suspension Bushing: part # SPF0877K (polyurethane/eccentric)
http://www.superpro.com.au/download/4381.link
Provides a camber adjustment range of +/-1.0 degree from base settings for lowered rear suspension (outer position only).

Pedders Suspensions - GTO IRS Bushing (polyurethane)
GTO IRS Inner Lower Arm Urethane Bush #EP7023
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm

Pedders Suspensions - Rear Camber Eccentric
GTO Rear Camber Kit #5403
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm

SPRINGS (Front & Rear)

Intrax Lowering Springs: Part # INT-25-1-001
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...%2D001&FROM=MG
Lower the car 1.6 inch (40.6mm) front and 1.4 inch (35.5mm) rear.

VOGTLAND Lowering Springs: part # 955120
http://vogtlandsuspension.com/p71/Ca...duct_info.html
Lower the car 1.2 inch (30mm) F&R.

Eibach Lowering Springs: part # E-6532-140
http://www.eibach-uk.com/
Lower the car 1.2 inches (30mm) F&R.

BILSTEIN Coil Springs - 007967
Front Right Spring: part # FE1-D403
Front Left Spring: part # FE1-D402
Rear Springs: part # FE1-D020
http://www.carparts-cat.com/webkat.a...94325632018004

BILSTEIN Coil Springs - 007969
Front Right Spring: part # FE1-D448
Front Left Spring: part # FE1-D404
Rear Springs: part # FE1-D020
http://www.carparts-cat.com/webkat.a...94325632018004

STRUTS & SHOCK ABSORBERS (incl: MOUNTS, BOOTS, and BUMP STOPS)

Koni Sport Struts & Shocks:
-Sport Strut: part # 8610-1315Sport (insert in OE strut; externally adjustable for rebound)
-Sport Shock: part # 80-2591Sport (non-air, must disable self leveling; rebound adjustment made before installation)
http://store.summitracing.com
Struts & Shocks: Sport ride.

BILSTEIN (Opel/Vauxhall)
-Strut - B4 Gas: part # VNE-4480 (OE Replacement)
-Shock Absorber - B4 Gas: part # BNE-2861 (OE Replacement)
-Strut - B6 SPORT: part # VE3-4425 (Firm)
-Shock Absorber - B6 SPORT: part # B46-2260 (Firm)
-Strut - B8 SPRINT: part # VE3-4426 (Firm/Lowered)
-Shock Absorber - B6 SPORT: part # B46-2258 (Firm/Lowered)
-Boot & Bumpstop: part # ASP-C245 (front)
http://www.carparts-cat.com/webkat.a...94325913018004

KYB GR2:
-Strut: # 334903
-Strut Mount: part # SM5285
-Shock Mount: part # SM5287
-Strut Boot & Bumpstop: part # SB101
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2001
Strut only. OEM ride. No adjustments.

Monroe:
Sensatrac Strut: part # 71503 (Twin-tube low pressure gas unit similiar to OEM)
Max-Air Rear Shocks: part # MA825 (For use with self leveling)
Upper Mount: part # 903932
Front Boot & Bumpstop: part # 63619
http://www.shockwarehouse.com/index....cted_year=2001

ACDELCO Strut: part # 506592 {#09192250} Right / # 506591 {#09192249} Left
http://www.rockauto.com/
Factory Replacement w/o SPORT APPEARANCE PKG (RPO-TV5)

ACDELCO Strut: part # 506594 {#09192292} Right / # 506593 {#09192291} Left
http://www.rockauto.com/
Factory Replacement w/SPORT APPEARANCE PKG (RPO-TV5)

ACDELCO Part # 560227 {#72119084}
ABSORBER,RR SHK w/o SPORT APPEARANCE PKG (RPO-TV5)
http://www.rockauto.com
Factory Replacement - Catera

ACDELCO Part # 560228 {#72119087}
ABSORBER,RR SHK w/SPORT APPEARANCE PKG (RPO-TV5)
http://www.rockauto.com
Factory Replacement - Catera Sport

Gabriel Ultra Strut: part # G56769
http://www.gabriel.com
OE replacement

NOTE: The following rear shock absorbers are for the 2004 Pontiac GTO. Owners who have used them assure me they will fit. Try at your own risk. GTO front struts will not fit. Front & Rear springs will fit.

MONROE SENSATRAC Rear: part # 5786
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
2004 GTO - OE Replacements

ACDELCO Rear Shock: part # 560595 {#92157266}
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php
Factory Replacements for 2004 Pontiac GTO

Pedders Suspensions - GTO Sport Ryder Springs (front & rear):
GTO SR Front Coil 0 Drop #2142
GTO SR Front Coil -20mm Drop #2151
GTO SR Front Coil -35mm Drop #2275
GTO SR Rear Coil -35mm Drop #2641
GTO SR Rear Coil -20mm Drop #2643
GTO SR Rear Coil 0 Drop #7643
Pedders GTO Sport Ryder Springs. All are 45% to 50% stiffer than stock.
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm

Pedders Suspensions - GTO Rear Shocks:
GTO Touring CG Shock #8081 (street)
GTO GSR Rear Shock #9095 (street/track)
GTO GSR Big Bore Shock #9195 (track)
All Pedders shocks are firmer that stock to varying degrees.
http://www.peddersusa.com/Solution_GTO.htm

[Mohegan22]

Once again I want to thank you for helping me find some front horizontal lower control arm bushings for my Catera. I paid $68 a pair (including shipping) for bushing GM wanted $89 each for. Unbelievable... I read your entire post, watched your video (which was pretty cool), and I know at the time you didn’t have any new info on the rear/vertical bushing in the front control arm and I was wondering if you’ve discover any info on it yet, or at least found a cheaper location to get one. My local GM dealer wants (once again) $89 each. Any help you can give me is GREATLY Appreciated.

Respectfully,

Mohegan22
US Navy, Ret

[elvin315]

No promises but this is something I'm looking at.

Rear/Vertical Bushing Project (exploring the possibility of making my own poly-bushings)
GM Bushing diameter: 48.5mm (1.9095 inches)
Raw Polyurethane for Rear/Vertical Bushing
McMaster Carr: 2" OD, 1/2" ID, 6" Length, 60A Durometer, $23.87 Each #87235K572
http://www.mcmaster.com/

In the meantime:

Bushings, Catera, Rear Lower: 97-01 $30.51
http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

Elvin