Rubber or Urethane?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter The Hurricane State
Rubber or Urethane?
I just started to work on the front suspension.
Does the urethane "squeak" as some people have told me?
I know urethane will last much longer, but if it is going squeak going down the street; I will stay with the rubber suspension parts.
Thanks for your input
Does the urethane "squeak" as some people have told me?
I know urethane will last much longer, but if it is going squeak going down the street; I will stay with the rubber suspension parts.
Thanks for your input
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,802
Likes: 241
From: Niles, MI
Now you've opened up a can of worms! See this thread.
Let's Settle This Poly vs. Rubber Bushings Debate
Let's Settle This Poly vs. Rubber Bushings Debate
Last edited by Kid Vette; Oct 12, 2005 at 07:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
Originally Posted by Rich72
Does the urethane "squeak" as some people have told me?
BTW- how do you know that poly will last longer? The same people who told you it won't squeak?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I found poly easy to install. I believe rubber requires a press and special fixture to prevent deforming the A arm. With poly I grease them well and slide them into place.
I have never tried rubber. Mine don't squeak.
I have never tried rubber. Mine don't squeak.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
I don't agree with this waiting until the car is sitting on the ground to tighten the A arm bolts. Remember you don't want to bind the suspension?????
If my bushings are that tight that they bind the suspension what happens as I go over bumps?
The bushings contiually bind??? What does this do to the life of the bushing? If it is constantly binding and moving won't it chew the bushing up.
I use poly, well greased and slid into place with finger pressure only. I hold the cross shaft in the vise and tighten the end bolts while moving the A arm up and down checking for free play.
Yes there should be minor, minor drag but nothing that prevents free movement up and down
Read Herb Adams paper on bushings. He using solid bushings to prevent any binding and at the same time no slop.
I would really go with poly. More chance you can do it at home without any major tools or a press.
Presses destroy things if not used properly and without proper support.
If my bushings are that tight that they bind the suspension what happens as I go over bumps?
The bushings contiually bind??? What does this do to the life of the bushing? If it is constantly binding and moving won't it chew the bushing up.
I use poly, well greased and slid into place with finger pressure only. I hold the cross shaft in the vise and tighten the end bolts while moving the A arm up and down checking for free play.
Yes there should be minor, minor drag but nothing that prevents free movement up and down
Read Herb Adams paper on bushings. He using solid bushings to prevent any binding and at the same time no slop.
I would really go with poly. More chance you can do it at home without any major tools or a press.
Presses destroy things if not used properly and without proper support.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 199
From: Loveland, CO
One disadvantage with the ease of installation of the poly bushings is that they just as easily can fall out.
While we had Milehigh66's C2 up on Lars' rack this weekend installing a fuel return line, we noticed that one of his lower control arm bushings was completely missing.
Metal on metal makes for unusual ride characteristics. It could have been much more serious, but not damage was done since it was discovered quickly. I understand some people recommend a lot of Loctite on the bolts when installing poly bushings.
While we had Milehigh66's C2 up on Lars' rack this weekend installing a fuel return line, we noticed that one of his lower control arm bushings was completely missing.
Metal on metal makes for unusual ride characteristics. It could have been much more serious, but not damage was done since it was discovered quickly. I understand some people recommend a lot of Loctite on the bolts when installing poly bushings.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I haven't installed poly bushings on my '77 (yet, except the sway bar), but my experiences with other vehicles has been very positive. I like the ride quality, and never had noise issues. Buy good bushings, use the supplied (and very sticky) grease, and you should be OK. I had a set of poly bushings on my '91 Talon for at least three years, then another three or so under a '90 after the '91 was wrecked. Never had the slightest problem with them.
The '77's sway bar bushings have been there for over three years now, and they're doing fine, too.
The '77's sway bar bushings have been there for over three years now, and they're doing fine, too.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter The Hurricane State
Thanks people 
It looks like I did re-open a can of worms.
I think I will go with the poly...if I was going to keep the car all original it was an easy decision >>> all rubber.
I appercaite all the "voices of experience and reason" here at the C3 section
RH
It looks like I did re-open a can of worms.
I think I will go with the poly...if I was going to keep the car all original it was an easy decision >>> all rubber.
I appercaite all the "voices of experience and reason" here at the C3 section
RH
Last edited by Rich72; Oct 12, 2005 at 04:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: pr, frederick md.
poly is the way to go. any one that says they sqeak, didnt use the supplied grease that comes in every kit. and if you guys are sliding in poly bushings in you a-arms, with no press, you are doing something very wrong. never had a problem with poly bushings, and like the better handling they allow. however i once changed to rubber shock bushings to ease the ride in a lowered s10, that was killing my kidneys.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
When I upgraded the suspension on my '77, I opted to replace the rubber with poly. Most of the rubber was disintegrating all around, and I really didn't want to have that happen again.
Right or wrong, that's what I did, and I don't have a sqeek issue -- I used the same heavy duty grease I would use on bearings. The only place this was an issue is the front and rear anti-roll bars ...the rest were not in a "bind" situation (like the drag links and rear mono-spring). I did want a tight and compliant handling ...a little harshness was acceptable for a solid car. It's not my DD, but I do try to get out once a week and I don't do any racing.
I did not change the bushings on the front A-arms or the RTAs ...that was left for another day
Brian.
Right or wrong, that's what I did, and I don't have a sqeek issue -- I used the same heavy duty grease I would use on bearings. The only place this was an issue is the front and rear anti-roll bars ...the rest were not in a "bind" situation (like the drag links and rear mono-spring). I did want a tight and compliant handling ...a little harshness was acceptable for a solid car. It's not my DD, but I do try to get out once a week and I don't do any racing.
I did not change the bushings on the front A-arms or the RTAs ...that was left for another day
Brian.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
One other thing...those that claim that rubber bushings should last another 25 years should have looked under my '77 in 1990. The rubber bushings and body mounts were already cracking and compressing badly at that point, and the problem has just gotten worse...far worse. This winter is "refresh the suspsension" time. This isn't a terribly high-mileage car, either - less than 90K now, probably about 65-70K then. Of course, it's amazing how much Bubba can screw up in 65K miles... 