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polygraphite vs oem suspension replace

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moparjohnny

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pros and cons for both,your experience with polygrapjite suspension will it change the ride of the car. thanks
 
moparjohnny said:
Can someone please state the pros and cons for both? Will someone please relay their experience with polygraphite suspension? I'm concerned that it will change the ride of the car. Thanks
Click to expand...

Okay.....
Years back when people were buying these as cast off second or third hand cars (Approx 1990-2000) there was a big push to replace the bushings in these cars with the Urethane ones to eliminate flex and improve handling. There was also a lot of promotion to use KYB shocks.
In time, we have learned!
After several cases where owners complained about ride harshness, it was common to still use urethane in the UPPER control arms but to use OEM rubber style in the lower control arms. This helped quite a bit but the issue of shock absorbers was still a back burner issue.
Nowadays we have many better choices for shocks, though they do cost much more than the KYBs. I run Bilsteins that I bought from Firm Feel. I already had the rest of the car sorted out but the difference in ride and handling was quite noticeable. Smoother on rough roads but still able to cut corners like a frugal housewife.
The suspension bushings only play a part in how the car rides and handles. Bigger torsion bars, bigger sway bars, welded in frame connectors, torque boxes, gussets on the lower control arms, reinforced K members with gussets to stiffen the steering box mounts...all these add up to a much better riding and performing car.
 
I recently rebuilt the front and rear suspensions on my GTX. I used rubber up front except for the sway bar and LCA strut rod bushing. I did use polygraphite in the rear spring bushings. Doing it over I think I might have used rubber in the LCA strut rods, but overall it was a big improvement. I have KYBs from about 15 years ago - I may check out the Bilsteins.
 
I like my bilsteins! FYI

Car had kyb and front right was not working! Stuck no absorbing! It was Junk!
 
If you're worried about ride quality, use rubber. If you want it to handle good, use poly. Most people interested in hitting the twisties don't care about some vibration or harshness. Those that just like cruising and drag racing don't generally need the extra strength of the polys anyway.
 
Poly everything on mine, the ride and handling are fine. One exception are the rear spring shackle bushings. They didnot come with steel inserts and look to be sagging and I can hear a squeak. Easy fix just got to get some sleeve inserts.
 
OEM. Rubber. Fad has passed. Had mine done 20 years ago with standard stuff. Many miles later, no problems. Like a 75 Charger vs a 71, newer is not always better.
 
Weight of the car has a lot to do with it too as do the wheels and tires. Lighter and lower body along with wider wheels and tires is usually better no matter what you use for bushings. Alignment also helps. Ever notice what the road course race cars use for camber on the front ends? It's a ton and even the rear ends that are live axle has some camber in it.....
 
One question that should be asked. What do you want from your car. Do you want it to handle and what do you plan to do with cruise and mild strip use? Or do you want just a comfortable ride.

Thanks
James
 
It was asked indirectly....but the OP hasn't been back to say just what he wants to do with the car.
 
Cranky said:
It was asked indirectly....but the OP hasn't been back to say just what he wants to do with the car.
Click to expand...
street driving,car shows,some cruise events.no racing.want comfort.
 
Like the previous poster said go with rubber. If the suspension hasn't been gone through in years, just installing new rubber components will make it feel different like night and day. But one thing that you may want to consider also if the car doesn't have one is a front sway bar it will help with body roll or up grade to larger one and good quality set of shocks like Bilsteins.

Thanks
James
 
Yes, sway or stabilizer bars help a ton even if you mismatch them somewhat. I like for my cars to be on the 'tail happy' side or have just a bit of oversteer vs understeer but neutral is probably best for what you are doing imo. I'm betting James can help with what bars you should have based on your combination.
 
Yes, sway or stabilizer bars help a ton even if you mismatch them somewhat. I like for my cars to be on the 'tail happy' side or have just a bit of oversteer vs understeer but neutral is probably best for what you are doing imo. I'm betting James can help with what bars you should have based on your combination.
Kern Dog said:
I'm glad that my Dad didn't get this same advice.
Click to expand...
What happened with your dads?
 
If my Dad would have used a rubber, I would have never been around to make these posts.
 
Front anti sway and polygraphite on all my cars. Upper and lower.
200K miles and no complaints.
Would not do anything else.
Except the Charger I just did I think I didn't like the non compression of the brake rod doughnuts. I may have used rubber there. Now I've got to go look.
 
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