poly bushings?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
poly bushings?
How many of you C3 owners have put the polyurethane bushings in your control arms and noticed any difference compared to a rubber bushing that was not worn out?
I'm trying to make up my mind on my front end rebuild of my 72. I have a complete front end rebuild kit for it that came with the car when I bought it. I'm upgrading to a VB&P grand touring suspension system with the bilstein shocks. I also opted for the rubber rear trailing arm attach bushings as well as the differential crossmember mounts. I'll install the poly in the sway bars, shocks, and lower differential mount.
I want the car to have a smoother, softer ride compared to my 92 that has an aggressive sport suspension. When I'm out cruising with the wife, she really notice's the stiffness and firm ride. I love it when I'm driving the corners aggressively by myself. But the 72 is going to be a club cruiser/show car. I'm keeping the stock 15" wheels, probably put some BFG radial TA's on it. I love the stock look and is my theme for this car. Its so classic.
Opinions please.
I'm trying to make up my mind on my front end rebuild of my 72. I have a complete front end rebuild kit for it that came with the car when I bought it. I'm upgrading to a VB&P grand touring suspension system with the bilstein shocks. I also opted for the rubber rear trailing arm attach bushings as well as the differential crossmember mounts. I'll install the poly in the sway bars, shocks, and lower differential mount.
I want the car to have a smoother, softer ride compared to my 92 that has an aggressive sport suspension. When I'm out cruising with the wife, she really notice's the stiffness and firm ride. I love it when I'm driving the corners aggressively by myself. But the 72 is going to be a club cruiser/show car. I'm keeping the stock 15" wheels, probably put some BFG radial TA's on it. I love the stock look and is my theme for this car. Its so classic.
Opinions please.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Every time I've installed poly bushings, they eventually sqeaked loudly and I went back to rubber.
Of course, the manufacturer claimed their poly never squeaks.
If you don't drive your car much, or don't care about the noise, or the rougher ride - and you believe they'll make your C3 handle like a newer Corvette, give them a try.
IMHO: A better set of tires does more than all possible mods combined.
Of course, the manufacturer claimed their poly never squeaks.
If you don't drive your car much, or don't care about the noise, or the rougher ride - and you believe they'll make your C3 handle like a newer Corvette, give them a try.
IMHO: A better set of tires does more than all possible mods combined.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 850
Likes: 12
From: Shakopee MN
they'll hear you coming from miles away
I'm in the middle of doing my front suspension and went with rubber because I didn't want a rougher ride, it's a cruiser like yours. Now for some, poly may never squeak or they've added some grease zerks in some fashion, but take a look at this video.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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I replaced all of the bushings (front and rear) in my 82 with poly - no squeaks. It still feels softer than my Z51 equipped C6.
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: North Richland Hills TX
Did a full replacement and it made a very big difference, though my original rubbers were all worn out anyway.
Even after greasing I have a noticeable squeak when going over speed bumps, though they do dissipate/become non-existent after the first 20 minutes or so and she's warmed up.
Even after greasing I have a noticeable squeak when going over speed bumps, though they do dissipate/become non-existent after the first 20 minutes or so and she's warmed up.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,532
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From: Dallas-Fort Worth TX
I'm in the middle of doing my front suspension and went with rubber because I didn't want a rougher ride, it's a cruiser like yours. Now for some, poly may never squeak or they've added some grease zerks in some fashion, but take a look at this video.
I installed rubber recently to my front end as well. Figured the originals lasted at least 20 years and did not want to risk the squeak or rougher ride. I already got 550 springs, so its rough enough.
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Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
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From: League City TX
Now for some, poly may never squeak or they've added some grease zerks in some fashion, but take a look at this video.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
One of the manufacturers' web sites says that the black poly has graphite impregnated in it. Since some say their poly bushings don't squeak, I'm wondering if the black ones don't squeak. Nobody ever says what color theirs are.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Poly isn't for everyone, but neither is rubber.
It really depends on one's priorities and where it is being considered as to whether it makes sense or not. Proper installation and lube should keep it from squeaking, which is evidence of binding. Suggest shopping for those with serrated sleeves, as the smooth ones tend to loosen. My $.02, free of charge.
It really depends on one's priorities and where it is being considered as to whether it makes sense or not. Proper installation and lube should keep it from squeaking, which is evidence of binding. Suggest shopping for those with serrated sleeves, as the smooth ones tend to loosen. My $.02, free of charge.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 878
Likes: 55
From: Deep South Denmark
Mine are black, after two years one side now squeaks so much that it has become unbearable.
When I installed them I basically drowned them in lube (silicone) so no matter what you do poly bushings in moving parts will eventually squeak.
And it takes a lot more than poly bushings to turn a C3 into anything resembling a hard ride!
When I installed them I basically drowned them in lube (silicone) so no matter what you do poly bushings in moving parts will eventually squeak.
And it takes a lot more than poly bushings to turn a C3 into anything resembling a hard ride!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
Like I said, I love the slot car handling of my 92. It has poly. I've been working on jet aircraft for the past 28 yrs, my high pitch hearing is shot, so if it squeaks, I can't tell. 
My priorities are different with this car. I think most of the responses leaned toward using rubber and that's where I'm leaning. Thanks folks.
My priorities are different with this car. I think most of the responses leaned toward using rubber and that's where I'm leaning. Thanks folks.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
That is so true. My wife does the same, she will hear sounds that I never will be able to. But.... put me in the elk woods, I'll hear an elk bugle a mile away. She calls it selective hearing.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Poly isn't for everyone, but neither is rubber.
It really depends on one's priorities and where it is being considered as to whether it makes sense or not. Proper installation and lube should keep it from squeaking, which is evidence of binding. Suggest shopping for those with serrated sleeves, as the smooth ones tend to loosen. My $.02, free of charge.
It really depends on one's priorities and where it is being considered as to whether it makes sense or not. Proper installation and lube should keep it from squeaking, which is evidence of binding. Suggest shopping for those with serrated sleeves, as the smooth ones tend to loosen. My $.02, free of charge.
I'm surprised you had the time to visit and inspect all those installations.
