Power steering hyd. ram bushing, rubber or poly?
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 11,310
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From: Grapevine Tx
2018 C3 of Year Finalist
2016 C3 of the Year Finalist
Power steering hyd. ram bushing, rubber or poly?
I just noticed the rubber bushing at the end of my power steering hydraulic ram are shot. Should I go back with rubber, or would poly be better?
I'll hang up and listen...
I'll hang up and listen...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I have had poly on my power steering ram for about 10 years. I noticed no difference in steering feel or steering in general….I guess the only benefit would be the poly will last longer. I really don't see any downsides to the poly unless someone has actual REAL world experience to share...
Race Director
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
The 'foreign' poly doesn't last 40 years (or more). Many folks have indicated that their poly bushings are crumbling after just a few years.
For me, the lack of bushing compression, when the steering system is worked hard, would keep me from being interested in poly. The only place where I think poly might be better than synthetic rubber would be in the A-arms...but only if they would last.
For me, the lack of bushing compression, when the steering system is worked hard, would keep me from being interested in poly. The only place where I think poly might be better than synthetic rubber would be in the A-arms...but only if they would last.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,455
Likes: 977
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
That has not been my first hand experience…. examples:
Front sway bar endlink bushings-Installed in 1983..top 2 bushings where the end link connects to the sway bar were cracked….Changed this year-2014…that is 31 years…somehow I don't think rubber will last that long. Front sway bar poly mounting bushings installed in 1983 still perfect.
Poly cushions for the rear composite spring-Installed in 1986. Still prefect today…..
Poly front shock tower bushings installed in early 90's. Still perfect today.
Have many other bushings like front upper and lower control arm bushings that have been on 10+ years but not old enough to evaluate.
I do have an experience on my 2001 Grand Prix with GM Performance Parts trailing arms that were installed about 7 years with rubber bushings that are already cracking….
My experience is that the quality of poly bushings varies greatly and that good quality poly bushings will last LONGER than rubber AND will compress and flex less than rubber which has always been why I use poly instead of rubber.
