Polygraphite PST Suspension

[Road Grabber]

I know poly bushings have been discussed before but these new polygraphite bushings from PST sound pretty convincing because they self lubricate.

I don’t see any reviews on them online. Has anyone tried these PST bushings? They’re not too far off from buying a rubber suspension kit.

I road in a 69 Charger with poly bushings and I couldn’t believe the difference in the way it handled. It didn’t squeak and sway at all in a turn. My buddy driving it took an off ramp at high speed like nothing. He couldn’t remember for some reason if it was the graphite bushings to help me decide.

With the addition of graphite I wonder if it solved the problem of squeaking.

 

[Don67Satellite]

Curious as well for the replies to this.

 

[Kern Dog]

The trend in the late 90s was to replace everything that was rubber with urethane. Lower control arm bushings, upper control arm bushings, strut rod bushings, sway bar end links and D bushings, bumpstops, tie rod grease seals....
It didn't take long for complaints to start coming in. The biggest source of the squeaks and harshness was from the lower control arm bushing. From there, it became common to just use a standard rubber bushing in the LCA and urethane everywhere else.
If they are lubricated when they are installed, the supplied lube needs to be the real thick "vaseline-like" Poly lube. Wheel bearing grease isn't the same.
I have poly in the strut rod bushings and sway bar. That is all. Handling isn't just related to the bushings. Torsion bars-Leaf springs, sway bars and shocks have far more influence on the body roll-lean and handling.

 

[451Mopar]

PST is a sponsor here. Look towards the lower part of the forums. I think they offer discounts too.
The PolyGraghite bushings have been around since the 1980's. I use them in my cars.
The Poly bushings are stiffer than rubber, More of a newer car feel than the old rubber bushings? They are greased with a silicone type lube that is really sticky. I don't notice any noise, but my cars are not real quiet either?

 

[66 Sat]

I've got the PST kit, the super deluxe from memory. Polygraphite bushes throughout including the LCA's, but not the UCA's which were rubber (I replaced the whole arm). They all have grease nipples too so I think they do need periodic maintenance. I've also got Koni shocks on all 4 corners and 1.03" torsion bars.
No squeeks or rattles, and the car handles very well.
As KD said, you've got to look at the car as a whole. Weight savings are also important, especially on items that are high up e.g. intake manifold. Anywhere that you can drop a few pounds will help the handling.

 

[YY1]

poly-graphite has been around since at least the mid 1980's.

...and that's all I've used, where available since.

 

[JR_Charger]

I'm shopping PST's polygraphite leaf spring shackles vs Hotchkis's polyurethane shackles. PST's are over twice the price of Hotchkis's, and what difference is there other than graphite vs urethane? Maybe the PST is worth it if it's one less source of squeeks.

 

[451Mopar]

Looks like the PST rear leaf spring bushings are $74 for both the front and rear spring bushings and the frame bushings, but no shackle plate or hardware.
It looks like the kit with the shackle plates and hardware is $239. That is $165 more for the shackle plates and hardware? Maybe they should re-evaluate the pricing?

The Hotchkis shackle kit (rear shackle and bushing only, no front spring bushings) is $105.45, but on sale for $84.34 until July 4th. That seems like a good deal to me?
The Hotchkiss kit also lists that it uses shoulder bolts like original vs regular bolts with sleeve spacers.

I have used the Hotchkis lower control arm greasable pivot shaft on the '69 Convertible with PST control arm bushings. This was years ago, and I don't think PST had the greasable shaft at that time? The car also has the QA1 Dynamic strut bars.

 

[JR_Charger]

I didn't notice the sale on the Hotchkis shackles. Would the PST polygraphite bushings work on the Hotchkis stock type shoulder bolts? If so then I would buy the Hotchkis shackles and if the urethane turned out to be a PITA, replace with the PST graphite bushings later.

 

[451Mopar]

I didn't notice the sale on the Hotchkis shackles. Would the PST polygraphite bushings work on the Hotchkis stock type shoulder bolts? If so then I would buy the Hotchkis shackles and if the urethane turned out to be a PITA, replace with the PST graphite bushings later.

My thoughts too, but I don't think you would notice a difference between the two bushings at just the rear shackle, and the silicone lube seems to work good.
Just tighten everything with the suspension loaded, not hanging.

 

[JR_Charger]

That sale price disappears fast when you get to the shipping and handling and Hotchkis wants $30. I ordered them off eBay and saved $2. SMDH. Even stock shackles are $50 though, for a car as common as a B-body. I wish the threads on my old ones hadn't rotted away.

 

[451Mopar]

For the '69 Coronet 500, I just bought the Mopar HD replacement leaf springs, and the rubber shackle bushings for $20
Mopar Performance P4452987 Mopar Performance Rear Spring Shackle Bushings | Summit Racing

The lead springs were a bit under $150 each.

 

[PST]

I know poly bushings have been discussed before but these new polygraphite bushings from PST sound pretty convincing because they self lubricate.

I don’t see any reviews on them online. Has anyone tried these PST bushings? They’re not too far off from buying a rubber suspension kit.

I road in a 69 Charger with poly bushings and I couldn’t believe the difference in the way it handled. It didn’t squeak and sway at all in a turn. My buddy driving it took an off ramp at high speed like nothing. He couldn’t remember for some reason if it was the graphite bushings to help me decide.

With the addition of graphite I wonder if it solved the problem of squeaking.

Our bushings will not squeak once installed. Prior to installation we recommend applying the grease included with our bushings. But once installed you will have no noise issues based on the make-up of our bushings. If you have an question please reach out to me. I would be happy to answer any or all of your questions.

Thanks
James From
PST

 

[YY1]

Poly urethane is prone to squeaking.

Ploy graphite typically is not.

 

[beanhead]

I've used their polygraphite kits on several front end rebuilds since about '01 and they give the firmness of polyurethane but don't squeak like regular polyurethane...The only way to go IMO if you aren't going OE-style rubber.

 

[Road Grabber]

Our bushings will not squeak once installed. Prior to installation we recommend applying the grease included with our bushings. But once installed you will have no noise issues based on the make-up of our bushings. If you have an question please reach out to me. I would be happy to answer any or all of your questions.

Thanks
James From
PS

I've used their polygraphite kits on several front end rebuilds since about '01 and they give the firmness of polyurethane but don't squeak like regular polyurethane...The only way to go IMO if you aren't going OE-style rubber.

Thank you for all the replies. How were the LCA bushings installed? Did you use the reinforcement plate for the LCA and struts?

 

[Road Grabber]

Looks like the PST rear leaf spring bushings are $74 for both the front and rear spring bushings and the frame bushings, but no shackle plate or hardware.
It looks like the kit with the shackle plates and hardware is $239. That is $165 more for the shackle plates and hardware? Maybe they should re-evaluate the pricing?

The Hotchkis shackle kit (rear shackle and bushing only, no front spring bushings) is $105.45, but on sale for $84.34 until July 4th. That seems like a good deal to me?
The Hotchkiss kit also lists that it uses shoulder bolts like original vs regular bolts with sleeve spacers.

I have used the Hotchkis lower control arm greasable pivot shaft on the '69 Convertible with PST control arm bushings. This was years ago, and I don't think PST had the greasable shaft at that time? The car also has the QA1 Dynamic strut bars.

Who is selling the Hotchkis on sale? Thank you

 

[Road Grabber]

Does anyone know where to purchase just the rear shackle bushings in poly? I did years ago but can't seem to find them. I don't want to spend $239 for a rear shackle kit from PST - Ouch

 

[aussiewannabee69]

Our bushings will not squeak once installed. Prior to installation we recommend applying the grease included with our bushings. But once installed you will have no noise issues based on the make-up of our bushings. If you have an question please reach out to me. I would be happy to answer any or all of your questions.

Thanks
James From
PST

Hi James is there somewhere we can buy the grease from to use in a grease gun for maintenance.?

 

[JR_Charger]

I've used their polygraphite kits on several front end rebuilds since about '01 and they give the firmness of polyurethane but don't squeak like regular polyurethane...The only way to go IMO if you aren't going OE-style rubber.

Have you ever had a problem with the poly bushings backing out of the LCA?

Who is selling the Hotchkis on sale? Thank you

Get them off eBay. I paid $113, shipped and taxed, which was a couple dollars less than the Hotchkis sale price + $30 shipping.

If your shackles are still in good shape, you can get PST's polygraphite bushings for $74 - Link

Make sure you get them for your car. Probably the same as what I have linked but be sure.