rubber or polyurethane
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 8
rubber or polyurethane
I want to re-build the front suspension on my 81 and was wondering if I should go with rubber or polyurethane bushings. Also, who sells a complete made in the U.S.A. kit for a reasonable price? Does Poly last longer than rubber?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i have the polyurethane bushings and they are hard and noisy....if i had to do it all over again unless i was building a track car i would use rubber. yes the polyurethane will last forever....there are different types of polyurethane and you want the ones that are self lubricating, they have some sort of lubricant embedded in them. i cant recall the name "energy something" and they are made in the USA
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,209
Likes: 12
From: Montgomery Alabama
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I went with rubber because the car is a street car, and rubber will last as long as I own the car.
I bought my kit from Volunteer Vettes, but I don't recall if it was all USA parts.
I bought my kit from Volunteer Vettes, but I don't recall if it was all USA parts.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Unless you do serious off street driving, stick with the stock rubber. All the aftermarket providers carry the bushing kits. Call the provider and ask where the parts originate.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,737
Likes: 836
From: Gulf of America
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
I went with Moog rubber parts everywhere for the exception of the sway bar ends and the rear spring end pads both of which when rubber don't seem to hold up. Rides plenty nice.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,079
Likes: 23
From: KY
For a street car, use the rubber. If you're going to do performance driving events, use solid steel or aluminum bushings, afco, global west, cv products, etc. The urethane is a total waste for either.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
i am going with rubber .it has lasted 100.000 miles .http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...%20rebuild.pdf
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
I agree with everyone here.
I went with Poly and HATE THEM!!!!!!!
every time I go over a bump or am doing work involving jacking the things creek like nothing else. Makes you think the entire suspension is rusted solid by the sound it makes.
I went with Poly and HATE THEM!!!!!!!
every time I go over a bump or am doing work involving jacking the things creek like nothing else. Makes you think the entire suspension is rusted solid by the sound it makes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: York Pa.
This is an interesting thread..I don't really think the squeeking is worth whatever performance gains are added..plus I have heard that the ride gets a little rough as well..but that may be because the old rubber was worn out and got replaced with something hard..interested to hear what other people have done.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
i have the polyurethane bushings and they are hard and noisy....if i had to do it all over again unless i was building a track car i would use rubber. yes the polyurethane will last forever....there are different types of polyurethane and you want the ones that are self lubricating, they have some sort of lubricant embedded in them. i cant recall the name "energy something" and they are made in the USA
Does anyone who has black poly bushings have anything to say about whether they squeak?
Instructor
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Portland CT
One more vote for you going rubber. I bought a real good set of poly bushings and absolutely HATED the noise. I re-did the A-arms to rubber quickly. I think a good new set of rubber will work fine unless you are doing autocross or something similar. Stay away from the poly if you can.
