Poly or Rubber
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Originally Posted by 79vett
But i only notice it when the front end is "compressed" at slow speeds (going over a bump, up a driveway, etc.). i do like the handling and the longevity. i replaced the rubber bushings when the vette (79) was 10 years old. they were in sh*t condition. i've had the poly's in for 15 years and there still like new.
my .02.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
Poly or Rubber
I had my front suspension rebuilt with VBP's polyurethane kit. I had a local shop do it that has been in the frame and alignment business for over 50 yrs. The left front upper control arm cap bolt worked itself loose and fell out. The car pulled to the left like a caliper had frozen up. That's what I thought had happened until I checked everything out and found that "little problem". I checked the other side and the right rear upper cap bolt had worked itself so loose I was able to unscrew it with my fingers. I called the shop and the owner said "get the car back to me right away" and we'll take care of this. Don't drive it, get it towed, and we will settle up with the tow truck when he gets here". Luckily it happened about 30 yards from my house and no damage was done. Apparently poluyrethane does not compress like rubber when the bolts are tightened and can work loose if you don't use lock - tite and/or properly torque the bolts down. In hindsight, the original rubber lasted thirty years on my car....If I had it to do over, I think I would go with what was originally designed for the car - rubber.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 751
Likes: 0
From: Lufkin Texas
Originally Posted by NHvette
Rubber rebounds, where poly deforms under extreme pressure.
I think rubber will even outlast poly bushings ....
but I choose poly for the easy of installation.
Rubber bushings must be torqued down with the full weight
on the suspension. If you have a plastic radiator shroud, you
will need to remove the radiator to do this properly (with rubber).
Since the poly bushings rotate like a hinge, they can be torqued on the
bench and installed in a heartbeat. Perfect for a one-day rebuild.
You can do rubber in a day - but it will be a long day.
I think rubber will even outlast poly bushings ....
but I choose poly for the easy of installation.
Rubber bushings must be torqued down with the full weight
on the suspension. If you have a plastic radiator shroud, you
will need to remove the radiator to do this properly (with rubber).
Since the poly bushings rotate like a hinge, they can be torqued on the
bench and installed in a heartbeat. Perfect for a one-day rebuild.
You can do rubber in a day - but it will be a long day.
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 poly in front and rear and if i had to do it all over again i would probably use the rubber...definitely the rubber in the rear
