Polyurethane or rubber bushings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bstack · 11-27-2004, 09:33 PM

Not sure which way to go on my suspension bushings. Any
one have any pros or cons on the subject? They are actually
going on my 66 Impala but I'm sure someone has replaced
them on your trucks?

Fred T · 11-27-2004, 09:57 PM

Poly costs more, is harder to install, but lasts far longer than rubber. Poly is the way to go.

**breeh** · 11-27-2004, 10:41 PM

I agree, poly. It will make your steering more responsive as well.

mdazb · 11-27-2004, 10:47 PM

Installed poly on my suspension. The way to go. Wasn't that hard to install..

**FRENCHBLUE72** · 11-28-2004, 01:01 AM

I installed poly on my 72 blazer and toyota .. Still looking good even though they do tend to squeak from time to time..

ACES · 11-28-2004, 02:33 AM

For those of you who have installed poly, what company did you use? Does it squeak much? And do any of you have graphite impregnanted polyurethane?

68LSS1 · 11-28-2004, 06:24 AM

Check with PST for your bushings. Evey now and then I may get a squeak but they will come with some stuff to prevent that. A little shot of silicone usually takes care of it if it does. The graphite impregnated bushings are the best and usually most expensive way to go.

4x4Poet · 11-28-2004, 07:11 AM

I've used Energy Suspension graphite-impregnated poly bushings. They work well to reduce squeaking, but only greaseable spring pins/shackles/A-arm bushings totally prevent squeaks (when bushings are kept lubed).

For a car's IFS, long-lived, slow-wearing poly maintains alignment settings best. Reduces tire wear from misalignment. Improves handling since the poly bushings wont deflect as much as rubber. Worn, over-deflecting rubber bushings allow tires to roll under in hard corners. Poly won't. Less tire roll=less tread shoulder wear. I could go on....

Edited for clarity!

ACES · 11-28-2004, 07:39 AM

So am I correct in understanding that Poly maintains alignment, so it reduces tire wear from misalignment, but creates tire roll in hard corners, which causes tread shoulder wear.

So your damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

I don't know what to get now. What are you going to do bstack?

4x4Poet · 11-28-2004, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ACES

So am I correct in understanding that Poly maintains alignment, so it reduces tire wear from misalignment, but creates tire roll in hard corners, which causes tread shoulder wear.

So your damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

I don't know what to get now....

I rewrote the post to make it absolutely clear that long wearing poly, unlike easily worn/cracked rubber, disallows any bushing deflection that allows tire roll not induced by the tires themselves. Poly=good. Rubber=not so good.

ACES · 11-28-2004, 08:10 AM

Thanks 4x4Poet

I got it now.

bstack · 11-28-2004, 11:22 AM

Aces, still kind of up in the air on it. I've read some
articles on the net of some guys that has been
in the business for a while and say that the older
cars and trucks suspension were made to deflect
with the rubber bushings and that using the new
poly stuff puts a lot of strain on the other parts?
Of course thats all they had back in the day to work
with was the rubber. I guess I want the best of
both worlds, a decent handling car and the original
type ride. I'm redoing the whole suspension, springs
shocks, the whole deal, so thats why I posted this
question.

Thanks for the replys

mikeoj · 11-28-2004, 12:27 PM

I'm going with rubber.I look at it this way,The rubber componets in the parts today just aren't the same as years ago.And,i'll probably be dead by the time any new parts i put on now have to be replaced!!

bstack · 11-28-2004, 12:41 PM

mikeoj, I tend to agree with ya on that one. I thought
the same thing!!

11-27-2004, 09:33 PM	#1
bstack Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: cambridge,ohio Posts: 135	Polyurethane or rubber bushings Not sure which way to go on my suspension bushings. Any one have any pros or cons on the subject? They are actually going on my 66 Impala but I'm sure someone has replaced them on your trucks? __________________ 70-Olds 442 66-Impala 4-dr. 67-K-10 87 Chev. 1/2 Ton 4x4 Swb

11-27-2004, 09:57 PM	#2
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Poly costs more, is harder to install, but lasts far longer than rubber. Poly is the way to go. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

11-27-2004, 10:41 PM	#3
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	I agree, poly. It will make your steering more responsive as well. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

11-27-2004, 10:47 PM	#4
mdazb Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 75	Installed poly on my suspension. The way to go. Wasn't that hard to install.. __________________ --------------------------------- 72 C10 SWB 350 Work in progress 98 HD Fatboy 09 HD Heritage Softail 05 Honda Element

11-28-2004, 01:01 AM	#5
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,594	I installed poly on my 72 blazer and toyota .. Still looking good even though they do tend to squeak from time to time.. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

11-28-2004, 02:33 AM	#6
ACES Life is a gamble Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 796	For those of you who have installed poly, what company did you use? Does it squeak much? And do any of you have graphite impregnanted polyurethane? __________________ 1970 Orange CST C-10 w/350, posi, Longbed The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

11-28-2004, 06:24 AM	#7
68LSS1 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 1,191	Check with PST for your bushings. Evey now and then I may get a squeak but they will come with some stuff to prevent that. A little shot of silicone usually takes care of it if it does. The graphite impregnated bushings are the best and usually most expensive way to go. __________________ '68 Short Step LS1/T56, Hydratech, Fatman Fabrications Stage III, Baer, Hot Rods to Hell, US Body, S&W, etc

11-28-2004, 07:11 AM	#8
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	I've used Energy Suspension graphite-impregnated poly bushings. They work well to reduce squeaking, but only greaseable spring pins/shackles/A-arm bushings totally prevent squeaks (when bushings are kept lubed). For a car's IFS, long-lived, slow-wearing poly maintains alignment settings best. Reduces tire wear from misalignment. Improves handling since the poly bushings wont deflect as much as rubber. Worn, over-deflecting rubber bushings allow tires to roll under in hard corners. Poly won't. Less tire roll=less tread shoulder wear. I could go on.... Edited for clarity! __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup. Last edited by 4x4Poet; 11-28-2004 at 07:55 AM.

11-28-2004, 07:39 AM	#9
ACES Life is a gamble Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 796	So am I correct in understanding that Poly maintains alignment, so it reduces tire wear from misalignment, but creates tire roll in hard corners, which causes tread shoulder wear. So your damned if you do, and damned if you don't. I don't know what to get now. What are you going to do bstack? __________________ 1970 Orange CST C-10 w/350, posi, Longbed The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson Last edited by ACES; 11-28-2004 at 07:42 AM.

11-28-2004, 08:10 AM	#11
ACES Life is a gamble Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lee's Summit, MO Posts: 796	Thanks 4x4Poet I got it now. __________________ 1970 Orange CST C-10 w/350, posi, Longbed The torpid artist seeks inspiration at any cost, by virtue or by vice, by friend or by fiend, by prayer or by wine. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson

11-28-2004, 11:22 AM	#12
bstack Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: cambridge,ohio Posts: 135	Aces, still kind of up in the air on it. I've read some articles on the net of some guys that has been in the business for a while and say that the older cars and trucks suspension were made to deflect with the rubber bushings and that using the new poly stuff puts a lot of strain on the other parts? Of course thats all they had back in the day to work with was the rubber. I guess I want the best of both worlds, a decent handling car and the original type ride. I'm redoing the whole suspension, springs shocks, the whole deal, so thats why I posted this question. Thanks for the replys __________________ 70-Olds 442 66-Impala 4-dr. 67-K-10 87 Chev. 1/2 Ton 4x4 Swb

11-28-2004, 12:27 PM	#13
mikeoj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: WI,USA Posts: 495	I'm going with rubber.I look at it this way,The rubber componets in the parts today just aren't the same as years ago.And,i'll probably be dead by the time any new parts i put on now have to be replaced!! __________________ 69 Lwb C-10 402/700R4 70 Lwb C-10 250/3pd Wisc.

11-28-2004, 12:41 PM	#14
bstack Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: cambridge,ohio Posts: 135	mikeoj, I tend to agree with ya on that one. I thought the same thing!! __________________ 70-Olds 442 66-Impala 4-dr. 67-K-10 87 Chev. 1/2 Ton 4x4 Swb



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