lower control arm bushings; rubber or poly?

[dutch]

a while ago I bought this front end kit by energy suspension.  I`m taking apart the lower arms now, so looked what was in the box with new susp. parts and I found the factorystyle rubber bushings and a set of polyurethane bushings.  what would be the better way to go? the car won`t be used very often. just streetuse and an occational sprint. I like stiff suspension, but I hate sqeeks.

thanks, 

[ChallengerHK]

Here's a few things to think about:

- The poly bushings I put in are very very stiff
- They backs squeak like you wouldn't believe. I put the lube that came with them on, but there wasn't very much.
- I got some poly bushing lube from Just Suspensions, two pints of the stuff. I slathered it on the front strut rod bushings and they're pretty quiet so far. But, I DID NOT put in poly control arm bushing sin the front (lowers are rubber, uppers I  haven't done yet). My guess is that the strut rod bushings see a lot less stress than control arm bushings.
- Unless you're like me and you like to really hug corners I'd say go with rubber.
- If you use the poly lowers, somebody offers a pivot which is drilled for a zerk fitting so you can add lube without pulling the suspension apart.

[73EStroker]

I thought it was the red poly bushings that squeak bad. I used the black ones and used lots of that silicone grease that came with them.

[Aussie Challenger]

  When I use poly bushes/urethane I cover the bushes with graphite grease, after assembly I clean off excess and no squeaks. I always tighten up bushes after they have been normalised for height, that is at normal ride height.   

[dutch]

so, how big would the difference in handling be if I use the poly bushings in the lower arms? Will it be noticable when just driving around,or will it take some serious cornering to feel it?     I`ve already redone the upper arms and they got the rubber bushings since there were no others in the kit... also, is there difference in life between the two?
thanks

[ChallengerHK]

It's hard for me to say for sure because I upgraded/replaced so much at once:

Poly shackle and leaf spring hanger bushings
New leaf springs
Boxed lower control arms
Added front sway bar
Heavy duty strut rods with poly bushings
1 inch torsion bars

All of that together made a HUGE difference  . I'm still planning on tubular uppers with poly bushings, 11/16 tie rods and sleeves and a Firm Feel steering box. I'm going to do something with a rear sway bar but I'm not 100% on what.

[dutch]

ok, thanks
I`ll press out the old stuff later today and see how things come out of the arms.  Blast and powdercoat first, then go from there....

[Aussie Challenger]

  As you have rubber in the uppers you probably won't notice a great deal of difference. The uppers aren't that hard to change if you decide to upgrade later.   

[dutch]

I`ll go poly....   checked on the "new" rubbers, and they already show cracks    NOS??? 
thanks for the feedback