poly or rubber ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
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From: WAY SOUTH OF HEAVEN inebriated
poly or rubber ?
Ive heard two different storys about the poly bushings vs rubber in the books ive read they say replace only once and my corvette dude says they come back for new ones every year or two ? he recomended poly for flat highway but for city rubber whats your opinion.. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I find it highly unlikely they need to be changed every year or two. I have a 76 and because I had he rear suspension out and had a little extra time, I decided to to rebuild the rearend. The original bushings were still in good shape after almost 30 years. I went with poly bushings. I don't drive the car all that much but I did notice a difference. The car seems a little tighter but the ride is a tad more harsh with poly. The road bumps do not seem to be absorbed as much as rubber bushings and are transmitted and felt while driving. This is one of those no win things. If you go poly, you may wish you stayed with rubber. If you go rubber, you may wish you tried poly. The only thing I can offer is if you can stand a little more jarring then go poly.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
I changed out the bushings on my 68 in 2000...sure the outsides showed cracks....really, I should have kept them in, nothing wrong with the bushings, other than some cosmetic cracks.
I went back to rubber...they were less expensive, and I'll be 6 feet under before the bushings need replacement.
I went back to rubber...they were less expensive, and I'll be 6 feet under before the bushings need replacement.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 227
From: Oakbank Manitoba
I've had my Vette since 1983....I have used the poly bushings but found they did wear out prematurely. The car handled better but the ride was harsher. Now that I'm older I prefer a softer ride. Best advice I could give ya is to go with the composite front and rear springs. I would stay away from the rear TRW spring though...lots of guys having ride height problems with them.
