Thoughts on polyurethane bushings
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 109
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From: New Milford Ct
Thoughts on polyurethane bushings
I've got an '84 with a tired suspension, and for years I've considered going with Polyurethane bushings in a number of cars I've owned. I've always shyed away because I've heard all the usual reasons not to buy them; too noisey, ride is too rough, not enough performance gain for the money....etc.
Since I can't always trust magazine articles (never sure if they praise them because the commpany advertises in their mag) I decide to ask the real people who have actually bought and used these. What do you think? Would it be worth it, or should I stick with factory replacements?
Big time thanks in advance!
Since I can't always trust magazine articles (never sure if they praise them because the commpany advertises in their mag) I decide to ask the real people who have actually bought and used these. What do you think? Would it be worth it, or should I stick with factory replacements?
Big time thanks in advance!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Originally Posted by hogs29
I've got an '84 with a tired suspension, and for years I've considered going with Polyurethane bushings in a number of cars I've owned. I've always shyed away because I've heard all the usual reasons not to buy them; too noisey, ride is too rough, not enough performance gain for the money....etc.
Since I can't always trust magazine articles (never sure if they praise them because the commpany advertises in their mag) I decide to ask the real people who have actually bought and used these. What do you think? Would it be worth it, or should I stick with factory replacements?
Big time thanks in advance!
Since I can't always trust magazine articles (never sure if they praise them because the commpany advertises in their mag) I decide to ask the real people who have actually bought and used these. What do you think? Would it be worth it, or should I stick with factory replacements?
Big time thanks in advance!
Mike
Last edited by aboatguy; Jul 22, 2005 at 08:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
I'm not impressed with the ES polys. I have em in front, no squeaks, and just put them in back, haven't run it yet with those.
The part I'm not impressed with is the tolerances. The fitment doesn't make any damn sense. It's as if they paid no attention to the sleeve lengths, and it's a crapshoot whether it's rotating on the ID, or the OD, or on the sidesof the bushing. If the bushing is to wide to allow the sleeve to be clamped in place from both ends, then what locates the pivot??? Good idea, poor execution.
The part I'm not impressed with is the tolerances. The fitment doesn't make any damn sense. It's as if they paid no attention to the sleeve lengths, and it's a crapshoot whether it's rotating on the ID, or the OD, or on the sidesof the bushing. If the bushing is to wide to allow the sleeve to be clamped in place from both ends, then what locates the pivot??? Good idea, poor execution.
Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: crofton maryland
specially your 1984, chevrolet was make a whole new desgin with your first C4, and it impressed alot of the car mags in it day. but yes some whine about the hard ride not knowing its a sports car i guess?????????? heck even 20 years later there still pretty impressive ride and cars.
greatest thing about the polys bushing the will last alot longer then rubber before the deform, so things stay in alignment longer too. i am going to do them soon!! i am even thinking about going with red ones, think it mite look cool since my vette is black.
greatest thing about the polys bushing the will last alot longer then rubber before the deform, so things stay in alignment longer too. i am going to do them soon!! i am even thinking about going with red ones, think it mite look cool since my vette is black.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 1
From: prescott AZ
I believe that GM uses a harder rubber in their high performance 30mm bars. In any case, there is so little rubber between the bushing bracket and the bar with the 30mm bars that there seems like there would not be a lot of movement anyway. With the smaller 26 and 24mm bars there is a lot more rubber between the bracket and the bar. This is the small set-up (30mm front and 26mm rear and factory rubber)that GM raced their challenge cars and used on their Z07 and Z51 cars. If a 32mm front bar was better than a 30mm bar then GM would have used that.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 109
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From: New Milford Ct
Thanks for all the answers! And thanks to Mike for the link. I searched for "polyurethane bushings" not "poly". Guess I should have though of that.
Anywho, this now brings about a whole new question. How do I detirmine what size sway bar I have? Tell me it's as easy as measuring it with calipers. That seems logical, but it also seems too easy!
Anywho, this now brings about a whole new question. How do I detirmine what size sway bar I have? Tell me it's as easy as measuring it with calipers. That seems logical, but it also seems too easy!
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Racer
Joined: May 2005
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From: Canton GA
Originally Posted by hogs29
Thanks for all the answers! And thanks to Mike for the link. I searched for "polyurethane bushings" not "poly". Guess I should have though of that.
Sorry, I could spell polyurethane after a few beers...
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by ed petrucci
i am even thinking about going with red ones, think it mite look cool since my vette is black.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
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From: Seattle Area WA
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid NC
I'm not entirely sure they even offer the red ones for the C4 Vette. The black ones are graphite impregnated though and this is better for preventing squeaks.
They do sell the red ones for at least the sway bars I know. Here is the catch, the red ones are not graphite impregnated. The black ones, as CorvetteKidNC, are. Ask the packages I sent back to Summit how I know...
This fact from the guys at suspension.com
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
I'm now in the process of installing ES polygraphite sway bar bushings on the Vette; the front is in but not tested and the rear is to be done soon.
If the Vette responds to the ES swaybar bushings as did the IROC cornering will be greatly improved.
I might install them on the shocks too but will not do any other bushings with the ES.
The fitment of the ES busings I just installed on the front sway bar was right on the money and their tech support was available on the first call and very knowledgable & helpful.
If you want the polygraphite (black) bushings specify the P/N with a "G" suffix.
If the Vette responds to the ES swaybar bushings as did the IROC cornering will be greatly improved.
I might install them on the shocks too but will not do any other bushings with the ES.
The fitment of the ES busings I just installed on the front sway bar was right on the money and their tech support was available on the first call and very knowledgable & helpful.
If you want the polygraphite (black) bushings specify the P/N with a "G" suffix.