Bushings -- Poly or Rubber?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 211
Likes: 15
Bushings -- Poly or Rubber?
Hi All,
Its been awhile.
Just gutted the rear end, de rusted, cleaned, painted and am ready to purchase bushings. I've read posts about which is best, rubber or Ploy and as usual am just as confused about the right choice as before I read the posts!
Is there a right or wrong choice? Is the ride noticeably smoother with Rubber on all applications or a combination of both.
Much appreciated advice is welcomed.
Thank you in advance.
Dougtov.
Its been awhile.
Just gutted the rear end, de rusted, cleaned, painted and am ready to purchase bushings. I've read posts about which is best, rubber or Ploy and as usual am just as confused about the right choice as before I read the posts!
Is there a right or wrong choice? Is the ride noticeably smoother with Rubber on all applications or a combination of both.
Much appreciated advice is welcomed.
Thank you in advance.
Dougtov.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,406
Likes: 8,212
From: Napa Valley California
I am going rubber on mine as well.
There is a difference in the quality of rubber offered through different vendors.
I purchased the good Moog rubber bushing kit for the entire car through Van Steel.
They will sell you the front and rear kits or individual bushings if you don't need everything included in the kits.
There is a difference in the quality of rubber offered through different vendors.
I purchased the good Moog rubber bushing kit for the entire car through Van Steel.
They will sell you the front and rear kits or individual bushings if you don't need everything included in the kits.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Oct 23, 2018 at 04:15 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 86
From: Rotonda FL
The only place I would NOT use poly is the rear strut rods. The wheel movements seems to eat them on my car, and I was not happy with rubber. I eventually went with heim rod ends and have not been disappointed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
The poly give you slightly more road feel. The deflection point (our OE engineers call it the "durometer scale") is different vs. rubber so it provides a slightly tighter feel but at the expense of NVH being slightly harsher especially with cold ambient temperatures. The GM engineers tried to reduce NVH when the car went more upscale and cruiser oriented - that's when they moved to rubber body mounts from the solid aluminum alloy pucks.
Good luck -
Good luck -
Last edited by Lakeside49; Oct 24, 2018 at 08:36 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,510
From: Virginia
What's the application?
For joints with more than just rotational movement, rubber is best. On the rear, this means:
Trailing arm bushing (forward end of trailing arm), has to be rubber (or welding is required)
Strut rod bushings should not be poly*
*I highly recommend heim-joints for the strut rods, made a huge difference.
What's left? Trans mount, shock mounts, sway bar bushings (if present, and stock style) can be poly, AFAIK.
For joints with more than just rotational movement, rubber is best. On the rear, this means:
Trailing arm bushing (forward end of trailing arm), has to be rubber (or welding is required)
Strut rod bushings should not be poly*
*I highly recommend heim-joints for the strut rods, made a huge difference.
What's left? Trans mount, shock mounts, sway bar bushings (if present, and stock style) can be poly, AFAIK.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
I'm going to join in on this discussion since I plan a front end rebuilt this year for my '69. Doesn't poly exhibit better wear characteristics over rubber (and better handling characteristics) at the expense
of comfort (since rubber is more mallable)?
of comfort (since rubber is more mallable)?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,608
Likes: 780
From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
The right answer is different from car to car person to person and in my case on my 69 i use mostly good poly and some heim and johnny joints,
I try to avoid rubber.
If you can find good rubber nothing wrong with it.
I try to avoid rubber.
If you can find good rubber nothing wrong with it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,666
Likes: 289
From: Spring Park MN
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,569
Likes: 126
From: San Diego California
Going with black poly this time.
Just me.
Steve
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
Even if your car is s 'weekend warrior'. BUT you want to drive it with some spirit and take curvy roads and have fun doing so.
I have installed the Global West del-a-lum bushings and those customers who wanted me to install them have not regretted it at all. These bushings have grease fittings in them so they can be lubricated..
I have installed rubber, poly and now the Global West del-a-lum bushings and like it has been stated. It all depends on what a person wants out of their car .....even as going as far as installing 'johnny joints' in the trailing arms and using heim/spherical ended strut rods.
So...it all depends on what a person is planning on using the car for and what they want it to do for them.
DUB
I have installed the Global West del-a-lum bushings and those customers who wanted me to install them have not regretted it at all. These bushings have grease fittings in them so they can be lubricated..
I have installed rubber, poly and now the Global West del-a-lum bushings and like it has been stated. It all depends on what a person wants out of their car .....even as going as far as installing 'johnny joints' in the trailing arms and using heim/spherical ended strut rods.
So...it all depends on what a person is planning on using the car for and what they want it to do for them.
DUB