Poly vs Rubber Bushings
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 417
Likes: 40
From: Swansea IL
Poly vs Rubber Bushings
I have a 1970 that I occasionally drive on the street. Just a toy that I have had since 1973.
Am in the process of replacing some of the old cracked rubber bushings in the front and rear sway bars and the rear shock mounts. Will probably replace all the front a-arm and rear trailing are bushings next Winter.
In the past (15 yrs ago) I avoided the poly bushings as I considered them a little too performancy. Don't want any increased harshness in ride, no increase in noise, etc.
What is the current thinking on present bushing replacement. I am NOT restoring to NCRS specs, just trying to keep my car original while maintaining a decent ride. The poly bushings I know will outlast the rubber. The car is an HP 454 with 4 spd.
Thanks for your input.
Bob
Am in the process of replacing some of the old cracked rubber bushings in the front and rear sway bars and the rear shock mounts. Will probably replace all the front a-arm and rear trailing are bushings next Winter.
In the past (15 yrs ago) I avoided the poly bushings as I considered them a little too performancy. Don't want any increased harshness in ride, no increase in noise, etc.
What is the current thinking on present bushing replacement. I am NOT restoring to NCRS specs, just trying to keep my car original while maintaining a decent ride. The poly bushings I know will outlast the rubber. The car is an HP 454 with 4 spd.
Thanks for your input.
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I have always been a fan of Poly. I put it on my 77 and again on the 81 I am building. It does impart a little more harshness but it also gives you a LOT more road feel and control. Some guys like it some don't.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
Any NEW bushing (poly or OE Rubber) will stiffen a car that had worn/soggy bushings.
Following regarding ONLY front control arm bushings:
OE (rubber) can be difficult to remove and new OE must be pressed back into arms. Remove/Install via press can damage/bend CA if CA is not well supported.
Poly can be MUCH simpler to do. If your OLD OUTER steel shells are not damaged (probably not) they can be reused without problem ... if OK, they need NOT be pressed out or cut out and should be left in place. Hog out the old rubber w/ a $7 hole saw & a penknife & carb cleaner. Throw away the old inner steel sleeve. Do not use the new outer shells that come w/ poly kit. Install the new inner steel sleeve onto the old (but clean) shaft end & install new poly bushing into the old (but clean) outer shell ... use plenty of silicone GREASE throughout assembly. Once poly bushings assembled, spritz out the shafts' end threads w/ carb cleaner ... very clean & very dry ... & install clean end bolts w/ loctite. I did this procedure some 5-6 years ago using energy suspension brand poly CA bushing kit ... same C3 still on the road & current owner pleased.
Following regarding ONLY front control arm bushings:
OE (rubber) can be difficult to remove and new OE must be pressed back into arms. Remove/Install via press can damage/bend CA if CA is not well supported.
Poly can be MUCH simpler to do. If your OLD OUTER steel shells are not damaged (probably not) they can be reused without problem ... if OK, they need NOT be pressed out or cut out and should be left in place. Hog out the old rubber w/ a $7 hole saw & a penknife & carb cleaner. Throw away the old inner steel sleeve. Do not use the new outer shells that come w/ poly kit. Install the new inner steel sleeve onto the old (but clean) shaft end & install new poly bushing into the old (but clean) outer shell ... use plenty of silicone GREASE throughout assembly. Once poly bushings assembled, spritz out the shafts' end threads w/ carb cleaner ... very clean & very dry ... & install clean end bolts w/ loctite. I did this procedure some 5-6 years ago using energy suspension brand poly CA bushing kit ... same C3 still on the road & current owner pleased.
Last edited by jackson; Jan 22, 2007 at 10:25 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Since the trailing arm goes through a complex motion poly is not really suited for that bushing. As the susp. moves the toe chnages and the arm not only moves up and down rotating the bushing but it all moves the arm sideways deflecting the bishing. Rubber is much better suited here.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 6,798
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From: Pine Bluff Arkansas
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21
Everything in my front-end is poly. As far as the ride goes, C3's ride so rough I never noticed a difference.(mine don't squeak)
Larry
Larry
Last edited by lebvette; Jan 22, 2007 at 06:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
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From: League City Tx
I went back with rubber in mine because ever car I have put poly in squeaks its a$$ off after a month. No matter how much grease you put on the bushings at assembly or how often you grease the zerks, they still freakin squeak. Now if I was building a handling machine to corner carve I would use poly but on a cruiser, use rubber. They last plenty long. How long did it take for your originals to wear out? 20-30yrs? If I have to replace em every 20 yrs, I can live with that. LOL
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
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Your rubber ones lasted over 35 years. Mine lasted over 35 years before replacement. I figured that if they lasted only 30 years this time, they will have outlasted me. I suggest rubber but do what you want.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I went back with rubber in mine because ever car I have put poly in squeaks its a$$ off after a month. No matter how much grease you put on the bushings at assembly or how often you grease the zerks, they still freakin squeak. Now if I was building a handling machine to corner carve I would use poly but on a cruiser, use rubber. They last plenty long. How long did it take for your originals to wear out? 20-30yrs? If I have to replace em every 20 yrs, I can live with that. LOL
35 years?!? The rubber bushings on my 77 looked like hell when my dad bought it in 91.
Last edited by I'm Batman; Jan 22, 2007 at 07:53 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 6,217
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From: End of the Ike IL
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
And with regards to poly- if I had a second, NOM, built for speed C3, I'd go poly. But then I'd go EFI, Keisler, big old Dewitt's Aluminum radiator, all that good aftermarket stuff, etc., just for the pure he77 of it, and to beat the he77 out of it. In some ways, I envy those who could care less about originality. Either way, though, our C3's are fun to drive.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Just like our avatars, we have two different cars. Mine were cracking when I redid it, but they weren't toast.
And with regards to poly- if I had a second, NOM, built for speed C3, I'd go poly. But then I'd go EFI, Keisler, big old Dewitt's Aluminum radiator, all that good aftermarket stuff, etc., just for the pure he77 of it, and to beat the he77 out of it. In some ways, I envy those who could care less about originality. Either way, though, our C3's are fun to drive.
And with regards to poly- if I had a second, NOM, built for speed C3, I'd go poly. But then I'd go EFI, Keisler, big old Dewitt's Aluminum radiator, all that good aftermarket stuff, etc., just for the pure he77 of it, and to beat the he77 out of it. In some ways, I envy those who could care less about originality. Either way, though, our C3's are fun to drive.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
ah, the old rubber versus poly argument. lol.
people on this forum seem divided and very opinionated on this question. i replaced my 79 control arm bushings with poly. while i feel it really improved the handling THEY CAN BE NOISY especially at low speed going over speed bumps, up driveways, etc. if that won't bother you then go for it. they will last and last. rubber bushings will probably do fine also and be quieter. to each his own.
people on this forum seem divided and very opinionated on this question. i replaced my 79 control arm bushings with poly. while i feel it really improved the handling THEY CAN BE NOISY especially at low speed going over speed bumps, up driveways, etc. if that won't bother you then go for it. they will last and last. rubber bushings will probably do fine also and be quieter. to each his own.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 206
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From: Washington DC
