I need a definitive answer on bushings. I've read a ton of different opinions and advice on bushings. I'm going to start in on my rear springs and shocks this week and want to replace the bushings while I'm in there. Go with the rubber originals, or the poly? I've read that rubber doesn't last long and that it doesn't allow for twisting motions. I've read that the polys translate more of the bumps in the road. The few times I drove my car before tearing into it it was very nice, smooth, and floated down the road. I want to keep that feeling, that's what attracts me to these big old boats. I'm not going to be racing it or going crazy with it, I'm more interested in cruising with it and keeping that smooth ride. Thanks
I put poly in my car, then took them out. They make the ride hard and transmit more NVH to the cabin. Rubber everywhere, poly on the sway bar.
I have rubber in front and poly in the back on the race car. Just put Year One poly bushings in front and rear on a friends 68 GS350 no squeeks yet, don't how it drives yet, shocks and springs need to be replaced before it goes down the road again.
Tom My original rubber bushing lasted for 40 years. When I took them our, which looked ok with me, I replaced them with rubber and now I good for another 40 years! George
I put rubber bushings in my rstoration all the way around. Just like earler post the old ones were 40 years old and did not NEED to be replaced. If you are not driving your car every day year round they will last longer than you will:TU:
Would you guys include the coil spring insulators with those recommendations? Rubber for those as well?
Most of what I find for oem type rubber bushings is Moog. Are they the only game for the rubber parts?
I used Energy Suspension Polyurethane spring isolators from Summit: http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=coil spring isolators&dds=1 They seem OK. I can't see that part affecting the ride or handling. -Bill
Moog is likely the best. One thing to remember for longevity is to do the final tightening at ride height. -Bill
Tom Stick with rubber and check with Rockauto.com. Plenty of options for your car on there. Decent pricing and quick shipping to boot!
Most cars use the isolators just in the rear. Rubber will last longer than your realtionship with this car.
i have poly in the rear - control arms & sway bar. i have rubber in the front control arms but poly in the links & sway bar. if i were to do it again, i would use rubber in the rear sway bars but retain the poly in the rear sway bar.
Good info, thanks. I bookmarked that. What's the deal with putting poly bushings on sway bars? Is there a benefit of poly over rubber there? For now, I'm not going to put a sway bar on the back. I'm having trouble finding boxed control arms to fit the car anyways.
Poly on the freont sway bar is the only place I would use them. There will be less lean on turns. They are easy to change if you do not like them. The rubber for the other areas is best bet. I have heard the modern rubber bushings are better than old as well. They are mad in old Mexico howver. No way around that now.
