I'm still collecting parts for my 73 resto/mod and I'm looking at front and rear suspension rebuild kits. I called Van Steel and they told me about the advantages of how polyurethane improves handling and how rubber will improve ride quality. I'm leaning towards the rubber bushings because I had polyurethane years ago and did not like the constant squeaking. Van Steel told me that the polyurethane, if installed correctly, may not squeak, but they could not guarantee it.
For those of you who have installed polyurethane bushings;
1. Is there any noticeable handling improvement?
2. Have you experienced bushings squeaking?
Thanks, Greg

 

I won't install poly in my shop.... that should tell you something in itself.

I know some will debate my stance but we've had issues with squeaking bushing, rough rides and customers requesting to remove it after it was installed.

I can't dispute the difference it'll make in the handling, but all your doing is making a rough riding car ride harder.

IMHO,

Willcox

 

I'd say Van Steel was honest with you.

 

I've been looking at several vendors kits and they all look basically the same but the prices range from about $500.00 for front and rear up to $1,000.00 for what looks to be the same parts. Is there anything special I should be looking for in some of the vendors adds that make the quality in one better than the other?

 

https://willcoxcorvette.com/corvette...ombo-kit-69-74

Use the sale code and you can save even more.

Willcox

 

Quite happy with my poly bushings throughout the car. Some like 'em and some don't.

 

used the black polygrahite (impregnated) ones never a squeak; really tightens the feel up love it. Trans mounts and body still use rubber

No matter what you choose it will make a night and day difference

 

Black polygraphite bushings after 4 years no squeaks.

As for handling compared to when I had rubber everywhere. Now this is mostly noticeable at the track only. Driving on the street with normal driving habits it is hard to notice improved handling. Everything feels stiffer with less play. On rough roads with ploy everywhere it is most noticeable in the stiffness.

 

One big issue is there is good poly and rubber and crap poly and rubber,

If good quailty either work well all the feedback on this forum shows that, and doesnt prove one is "better" than the other, but one might be better for a person or build, for example a car seeking ncrs awards can not run poly.

I run good poly not because i want a hair better handling, i just street cruise but im too damn OCD to run rubber,

While i can find good poly that lasts i cant find rubber that doesnt get the little cracks in no time, and not one manufacture i have seen will warranty their rubber parts against cracking,

So i dont want to have to change out rubber every few years i run poly, it will outlast me.

 

I've used poly bushings on a number of sports cars and never had issues with them squeaking. I do assemble them with silicone grease and that seems to work well. I also do prefer a tight suspension on a sports car over a more compliant one, just my personal preference.

If you really want to get a quick and noticeable feel for how much poly bushings can tighten up your suspension, just change out a set of rubber sway bar bushings, mounts and end links with poly bushings. It may not be to your liking, but it will be noticeable. It's like increasing the size of the bar. It costs very little and is easy to switch back if you don't like it.

Good luck... GUSTO

 

A good reason not to use poly. Glad it was not my car

 

Poly can work OK in locations that only rotate such as front A-arms, Swaybar-to-frame etc.

Where poly has a tough time is locations that twist in addition to rotating, such as trailing arms and strut rods. The poly is not compliant enough and will wear creating slop.

 

Poly from local auto parts place.

Got the rubber ones from Wilcox

 

I like poly, don't find the ride too stiff, but seems others are more sensitive than me. I've put poly in many locations on many cars, and have never had any squeaking or had them fall apart like the pictures above. My f250 had poly bushes put in it by the previous owner - I've owned it for 7 years and about 130,000 miles of dirt and tar, and they're still fine, never squeaked.

 

Im not trying to sell anyone on poly but just like my experiences with some rubber some poly is garbage,

Like the zero miles VBP poly on my donor chassis, many are split just from sitting, junk.

 

I bought and installed poly bushings in my '73 Corvette from VB&P more than 20 years ago. I autocrossed the car for three years in Hawaii and never had an issue. The bushings are still in there and still look good.

However, times change and people price shop more than ever, (I'm certainly not suggesting you do however ). Businesses often respond by offering lower priced/quality products and sometimes this happens. I've purchased poly bushings from other vendors since then and still have encountered no issues.

I do agree poly isn't for everyone, but I will continue to use it where it makes sense until it no longer serves my purpose.

Good luck... GUSTO

 

would have used rubber susp bushings but suspect of thequality
some of it just falls apart literally

20 yrs ago you could get GM stuff, the 70 Z/28 I had used all new GM stuff lasted a long time could not get over how solid that car felt!

Sure theres junk poly out today, too
Back in the 80s and 90s when poly became popular the red urethane ones had a rep for squeaking.

 

I wonder what GM puts on the C7.

 

Pudding. Just pudding.

 

Many thanks for this reply, pretty much puts another nail in the coffin of a speculation i had about my vbp poly bushings from vbp they should not have cracked.

While you or anyone can say i price shop, that is a fact im proud if not insulting, i am a budget builder,
I will have a road race theme bb 69 convertible for under 15k so my way works for me, i do NOT hack job or cut corners,

I bought a rebuilt donor chassis, IF vbp has some econo line of cheap poly bushing someone used on my chassis, neither they or vbp told me, and i dont see discount bushing listed on vbp website,

In the time since you bought your good vbp bushings who knows how many times they might have changed sources,

I believe most people would agree that if a poly bushing fails just sitting in a donor chassis in a fraction of the time compared to how long yours lasted being used hard then those bushings were bad, junk,

Imho vbp should have stood behind them, helped me out in some way, even if this was a fluke, even more reason to stand behind yiur product.
They didnt care at all, i was told in a bit of a snarky way, bushing do that. And if you want new ones we will sell them to you full price, yeah, watch how fast i ever order from them.

Sadly, i am not the only person who has reported vbp going down hill in recent years...very sad.