You can't do subframe inserts on a 1LE?

[Tomsusername]

My car is currently at a shop having the suspension overhauled. Along with new shocks, I have a set of Pedders rear subframe bushing inserts I asked them to install.

The shop called a few minutes ago and told me that there's no void to put the inserts in, and sent me this picture.

Does the 1LE have different subframe bushings than the standard SS, and will subframe inserts not work?

[SIM GhostrdrZ]

All 5th gen camaro rear subframe bushings can be replaced with aftermarket bushings.
They must be pressed out while heated. Search the forum for a plethora of info on this.
I personally would recommend solid bushings. I’ve installed solids in both my Z28 and ZL1.
Good luck

[gtstorey]

He is asking about the pieces that can be inserted into the voids in the oem SS bushing. I don’t remember anyone posting anything about the 1le having different bushings though.

[demonspeed]

Did you or they even look at any instructions? It’s pretty clear how to install inserts. Below is a link to BMR inserts (I didn’t see anything on the Pedders site, but they’re all the same):

https://www.bmrsuspension.com/siteart/install/BK016.pdf

[Scotty D]

Lol not for nothing I would find a new mechanic those are pretty straightforward to install

[SIM GhostrdrZ]

Originally Posted by gtstorey

He is asking about the pieces that can be inserted into the voids in the oem SS bushing. I don’t remember anyone posting anything about the 1le having different bushings though.

Thanks for the correction. I guess my mind went straight to my suggestion without answering the OPs question.
My apologies

[Tomsusername]

Thanks for the help, guys!

Quick update:

I spoke with Pedders support last night. After about 2 hours of research, we found that while the 1LE does not have different subframe bushings, the 2012-2015's do.

Pedders subframe inserts come with these tabs that are meant to fill in the voids of the 2010-2011 bushings. The 2012-2015 bushings already have these voids filled in.

The solution is to trim the tabs off the inserts so that they fit the newer bushings. Despite the fact that these are advertised to fit 2010-2015 Camaros, the instructions don't mention anything about trimming the tabs for the newer models.

For the record, BMR sells one insert set for 2010-2011's...
https://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=...452&superpro=0

and a different set for 2012-2015's...
https://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=...167&superpro=0

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Tomsusername

Thanks for the help, guys!

Quick update:

I spoke with Pedders support last night. After about 2 hours of research, we found that while the 1LE does not have different subframe bushings, the 2012-2015's do.

Pedders subframe inserts come with these tabs that are meant to fill in the voids of the 2010-2011 bushings. The 2012-2015 bushings already have these voids filled in.

The solution is to trim the tabs off the inserts so that they fit the newer bushings. Despite the fact that these are advertised to fit 2010-2015 Camaros, the instructions don't mention anything about trimming the tabs for the newer models.

For the record, BMR sells one insert set for 2010-2011's...
https://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=...452&superpro=0

and a different set for 2012-2015's...
https://www.bmrsuspension.com/?page=...167&superpro=0

Just to add some context from my limited understanding on this - the 2010-2011 cars have the REALLY soft/weak rear subframe bushings, which have the openings for inserts. In 2012 when the ZL1 came out ALL Camaro's got swapped to the ZL1 style bushing, which is much more robust than those original 2010-2011 cars. There is still value in firming up the subframe mounting in a 2012+ car, but on the 2010-2011 it's a MUST-DO in my opinion.

Sounds like Pedders needs to update their documentation a bit.

[olblue75]

Plus that looks like the underside of the bushing not the topside where the inserts slid into if I remember correctly.

[demonspeed]

Originally Posted by olblue75

Plus that looks like the underside of the bushing not the topside where the inserts slid into if I remember correctly.

I thought the same thing at first when I saw the OP’s pictures, especially because I remember doing inserts on my G8’s rear cradle (did solid on my 5th Gen so didn’t pay attention when destroying the old ones to get them out). That said, I totally forgot about the bushing update in 2012 (sway bars and/or end links were improved at that time as well).

As an aside, thinking about this brings back memories of being so turned off by the 5th Gen when I first drove one in 2009. It was so mushy and I left thinking it wasn’t an upgrade whatsoever from the 2005 GTO I had at the time. I wrote these off until driving a buddy’s new 2013 1LE and being completely blown away how different things felt. GM really improved the connectedness of things and it finally felt like a proper performance vehicle.