Poly Bushings
Thread Starter
Ham Radio - W7RKN
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 10
From: Reno, Nevada
Poly Bushings
What reason, if any, would I want to change out my rubber bushings on my upgraded Z51 sway bars, to poly bushings? i don't hot rod, race, autocross, or participate in any speed events. I do like to drive hard and fast (Really??!) on the highways, and like to push the car in turns, of which we have a lot here in the Sierra Mountain Range!
If I did change the bushings, what differences would I experience? Harsher (Is that a word??) turns, more 'road feel'? Etc.
Or...
Would it be a waste of money?
Thanks!
MC
If I did change the bushings, what differences would I experience? Harsher (Is that a word??) turns, more 'road feel'? Etc.
Or...
Would it be a waste of money?
Thanks!
MC
Thread Starter
Ham Radio - W7RKN
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 10
From: Reno, Nevada
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,352
Likes: 568
From: Ventura County, Calif
I don't think you need them. They "firm up" the mounting points, eliminating any "rubber squish" of the stock bushings. They "sharpen" the handling, making the car feel more like a single piece rather than bolted together pieces. Obviously important on a race car or for drivers who like to squeeze the last "thousandth" out even on a street car. Some say it makes a street car too harsh to enjoy. That is a very subjective and personal thing and every one is different. YMMV 
Thread Starter
Ham Radio - W7RKN
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 10
From: Reno, Nevada
I don't think you need them. They "firm up" the mounting points, eliminating any "rubber squish" of the stock bushings. They "sharpen" the handling, making the car feel more like a single piece rather than bolted together pieces. Obviously important on a race car or for drivers who like to squeeze the last "thousandth" out even on a street car. Some say it makes a street car too harsh to enjoy. That is a very subjective and personal thing and every one is different. YMMV
Again, your wisdom about the car has helped guide what I do, or will do, to the car.....
MC
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
Poly doesn't always, but other types can squeak like delrin. Some say using the right lube on it prior to install and done fairly liberally will eliminate squeak forever. Maybe so. Cars I've ridden in with any kind of aftermarket bushings tend to squeak for whatever reason. Maybe it's just that lube is always changing (getting better) and it's old-tech lube that was used. Supposedly, Energy Suspension makes good stuff to cure that, but you can't cure the fact that it does stiffen things up if that's not to your liking. On the other hand, rubber does deform over time and eventually wears out and usually sooner than other materials.
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