Polyurethane or rubber bushings?

[Deanfitz27]

i have already bought a set of energy suspension poly urethane bushings for my 69 rr entire front end. Some local guys ( not mopar guys) have warned me that those bushings tend to squeak bad and ride rough. Just looking for advice if I should not use the kit and go with something like moog ? Thanks

 

[Larrry B.]

I have all poly bushings on my front end with no squeaking, '69 RR. I also did a lot of front end work overall as well.

 

[rlem1977]

Did they come with the Energy Suspension lube? Follow the instructions or call them. It can be a problem. As far as bad ride, it depends on what you are going to do with the car. Now P-S-T, who is a member on this forum, makes a polygraphite bushing that is supposed to be less susceptable to squeaking. I can tell you that the poly bushings are stiffer and do improve the tightness of the suspension. I use them on the race cars, have not switched any of the street cars to them, yet. Others here will have some experiences to share, I'm sure.

 

[RT6PK]

To hell with that polyurethane crap. My experience was that it squeaked like crazy and made the car ride like a truck. I replaced it with rubber and it is infinitely better. I know that the polyurethane lasts longer, but I only drive the car 3000 miles per year.... so the rubber will probably outlive me.

 

[aeon280]

While not a b-body, I used the P-S-T poly full rebuild kit on an M-body diplomat years ago and can tell you that the ride was significantly better after. I dont recall much squeaking either but we used the grease that was supplied as directed. My current B is all Poly as well but I have not had it on the road to make an assessment. That being said you have to realize that on an early b body the K frame mounts directly to the sub-frame with no bushing so the bushings in that kit are only going to go in places ( control arms, sway bars, rear spring mounts, strut rods) that tighten the steering response not the suspension rebound. So switching to poly will make sure when you turn, the car responds better, rolls less, and dives less when you break. The only part of that kit that may increase overall vibration would be the trans mount. Usually even on the Cheby and Ferd,s the problem lies when they replace the CA bushings and bump stops with Poly and still have the same old 50 yr old coil springs the car came with under it. If you tighten all the suspension components up but leave a weak spring than yeah its going to be a bumpy ride.

 

[Deanfitz27]

To hell with that polyurethane crap. My experience was that it squeaked like crazy and made the car ride like a truck. I replaced it with rubber and it is infinitely better. I know that the polyurethane lasts longer, but I only drive the car 3000 miles per year.... so the rubber will probably outlive me.

I will only drive about 3000 miles a year or less as well, and I sure don't want a bunch of squeaks

 

[RT6PK]

I may have been exaggerating when I said that the polyurethane bushings made the car "ride like a truck". The car had new torsion bars and a new sway bar.... and the ride is noticeably better with the rubber bushings. As far as steering response, body roll, and diving when braking??? Well come on now... we're basically talking late 50's suspension technology here. It's going to take more than polyurethane bushings to fix it.

 

[WileE]

If you listened to loud rock music & played rock music like me, in your younger days, you wouldn't have this problem. If you can't hear it.

 

[Larrry B.]

My priorities are performance and longevity so I went with poly bushings throughout. All suspension components (front to rear) have been replaced & mostly upgraded with a T-Bar leaf spring setup. Settling after a break-in period I've have no squeaking issues and the car handles waaaay better than when I got it with the failing stock setup.

If you address only part of the system it can (and often) have an adverse effect it you don't consider the whole setup, working with what your priorities are.

 

[beanhead]

I rebuilt my front end with the polygraphite stuff from PST. No squeaks whatsoever... and while the ride maybe slightly stiffer than the stock rubber, it's not harsh at all. I would say definitely lube the polyurethane for squeak prevention and use them. The suspension on these old cars benefits from a little firmer bushing in my opinion. ---Keep in mind also that your tire choice, pressure and shocks will affect your front-end road 'feel'

 

[coloradodave]

I installed all QA-1 upper and lower control arms, new torsion bars, Viking double adjustable shocks and adjustable strut rods. All parts that use them have poly bushings and were installed with QA-1s grease. No squeaks in the last year or so, about 4,000 miles. If the roads you drive on are smooth, the poly is great; however, if you hit a chuck hole or tar strips, you definitely feel it throughout the car. Rubber if you want a smooth, comfortable ride. Poly if you want a little better control and don't mind the jarring...

 

[YY1]

poly-GRAPHITE

 

[Deanfitz27]

My priorities are performance and longevity so I went with poly bushings throughout. All suspension components (front to rear) have been replaced & mostly upgraded with a T-Bar leaf spring setup. Settling after a break-in period I've have no squeaking issues and the car handles waaaay better than when I got it with the failing stock setup.

If you address only part of the system it can (and often) have an adverse effect it you don't consider the whole setup, working with what your priorities are.[/QUOTE
thanks , my entire front end will be replaced as its a complete restoration. I'm don't expect the car to perform like a new car, I'm just trying to figure the best option and like anything both poly and rubber seem to have pros and cons. I appreciate the feedback

 

[Deanfitz27]

I installed all QA-1 upper and lower control arms, new torsion bars, Viking double adjustable shocks and adjustable strut rods. All parts that use them have poly bushings and were installed with QA-1s grease. No squeaks in the last year or so, about 4,000 miles. If the roads you drive on are smooth, the poly is great; however, if you hit a chuck hole or tar strips, you definitely feel it throughout the car. Rubber if you want a smooth, comfortable ride. Poly if you want a little better control and don't mind the jarring...

Thanks , nice comparison

 

[Deanfitz27]

Did they come with the Energy Suspension lube? Follow the instructions or call them. It can be a problem. As far as bad ride, it depends on what you are going to do with the car. Now P-S-T, who is a member on this forum, makes a polygraphite bushing that is supposed to be less susceptable to squeaking. I can tell you that the poly bushings are stiffer and do improve the tightness of the suspension. I use them on the race cars, have not switched any of the street cars to them, yet. Others here will have some experiences to share, I'm sure.

Yes they do come with a lube, I'm just afraid that over time the lube will water away and start squeaking

 

[Deanfitz27]

My priorities are performance and longevity so I went with poly bushings throughout. All suspension components (front to rear) have been replaced & mostly upgraded with a T-Bar leaf spring setup. Settling after a break-in period I've have no squeaking issues and the car handles waaaay better than when I got it with the failing stock setup.

If you address only part of the system it can (and often) have an adverse effect it you don't consider the whole setup, working with what your priorities are.

It is a full restoration, so all suspension will be new, it will only be used for a couple thousand miles per summer, I'm just not looking to have any troubles or bad squeaks

 

[Larrry B.]

It is a full restoration, so all suspension will be new, it will only be used for a couple thousand miles per summer, I'm just not looking to have any troubles or bad squeaks

If you have doubts and your not really "upping" the performance levels, go with rubber. Or you can use what you have and see how you like it and replace them later on if necessary... that's all part of the hobby as I see it. Of course the dollar amount you may be out will factor in somewhere.

 

[747mopar]

I did a complete suspension rebuild with all poly bushings from Just Suspension, no squeaks.

 

[Budnicks]

I've done a few cars with Poly bushings, QA1 & others
no squeaking
Just make sure they are lubed properly on assembly
& tighten the bolts/nuts when the suspension has weight on it...
IMO the stiffer/harsher ride I experienced
was more from the better/stiffer shocks, lower wider profile performance tires
& bigger sway bars, front & rear, than the poly bushings
superior handling capabilities vs Rubber

but that's just me
yours or others experiences may vary

good luck

 

[Xp29h]

I went with poly in front end too. Ride much better, handles better and no squeaking that I can hear anyway!