Poly or rubber? What say you?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Poly or rubber? What say you?
I've just become the proud owner of a 1981 Corvette. I'm planning on replacing all of the worn out body and suspension bushings. I don't know if I want to replace all of the items with poly or rubber. I have been reading some past posts here and I'm not sure if the poly bushings will cause too harsh of a ride or not. This vehicle will be street driven only and I don't plan on doing any autocrossing or racing. Your .02 cents please.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 4
From: Springfield VA
I would stick with rubber from what you wrote.
Poly is great for people that want the firmer ride and/or are replacing aluminum bushings. For me I drive hard but will still use the updated "rubber" for mine.
Poly is great for people that want the firmer ride and/or are replacing aluminum bushings. For me I drive hard but will still use the updated "rubber" for mine.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
I prefer rubber for anything that gets driven on streets. Poly tends to squeak a lot more and if you get a bad manufacturer's product it can deteriorate and crumble in a few years. Rubber bought now will likely outlast you. Just think, the factory rubber is just now being replaced after decades.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
Likes: 42
There's somebody that's got his brain switched on. 
Even then, most old rubber bushings only suffer from a cosmetic point of view, not functional.Poly is the ultimate bad solution for a nonexistent problem.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: Southern NH
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Yes, they still worked remarkably.
No comment on Bubba's upside down bolt placement. My rear suspension has now been completely re-done. And the spring cushions are poly but I won't take one side or the other.
No comment on Bubba's upside down bolt placement. My rear suspension has now been completely re-done. And the spring cushions are poly but I won't take one side or the other.
Last edited by Paul L; Mar 23, 2012 at 05:01 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
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From: Thunder Bay
I have all poly bushings and spring cushions. They have been on the car for about 15 years with no problems ( and I was just under the car looking at them). The improvement in handling is very noticeable, but they DO squeak.