Poly Bushings...Hows the ride

[CUDA JAS]

Hey Guys,

I know this has been debated before, but for those of you that have rebuilt the front suspensiosn with polly bushings, how do you find the ride?

I want / need to rebuild the front suspension in my 74 cuda this winter, I will likely keep the stock torsion bars but I am torn between rubber and poly for the bushings.

My car is a 100% street cruizer, usually with the wife and kids, so I do not want the ride to harsh.  I do like a little spirited driving from time to time (we have some great country roads out this way), ok whenever I get the chance!!!

So is the ride really firm with poly bushings?

Thanks,

Jason 

[don340-4]

I put poly in my 70 Challenger, too harsh, changed everything back to Moog rubber.

         

[wiging19]

Everything in my suspension was worn out so all I noticed was the handling was greatly improved.  I have a convertible so I only drive during the summer months so I like how tight it has stayed over the years since I rebuilt in around 2000.  I've heard people say it rides a little harsher but it lasts so much longer than rubber when you drive like I do.  Like everything you hear in the forum it is a trade off of different variables.  Personally I don't want to rebuild the car front end every six to ten years.  Rubber breaks down quicker than Poly. 

[Katfish]

Not sure about the ride, but I'd be worried about the squeaks.  I had an issue that I thought was related to the shackle bushings, car would squeak over the slightest bump, drove me crazy till I finally figurered it out.  Wasn't a poly bushing problem (I have all Moog rubber).  But I've heard many complain poly can squeak.

[CUDA JAS]

Not sure about the ride, but I'd be worried about the squeaks.  I had an issue that I thought was related to the shackle bushings, car would squeak over the slightest bump, drove me crazy till I finally figurered it out.  Wasn't a poly bushing problem (I have all Moog rubber).  But I've heard many complain poly can squeak.

yeah, i have heard of the squeak issues, pretty sure i do not want that!!!

ALso don't want to redo the front end any time soon.....so not sure.

[Chryco Psycho]

there is a special grease , silicone based but with the consistancy of honey , if you coat everything with it the poly will not squeak & it may take a day or so to get off you fingers LOL .
 I like the tight feel of the poly bushings & they do out last the rubber . I use Energy Suspension parts

[ChallengerHK]

I think it really comes down to your tolerance for the ride. A stiff ride doesn't bother me, and the worst thing a car can do in my world is not go where i point it. So far I haven't regretted the poly I've put on, but I haven't done the whole thing yet.

Chryco is definitely right about the silicone grease. I missed doing one bushing and it squeaks like hell.

[footin70rt]

Everything in my suspension was worn out so all I noticed was the handling was greatly improved.

My Chally was the same way. I rebuilt the front end about 6 years ago and I used Energy Suspension bushings and plenty of grease, no squeaks here. IMO I'd go with the poly.

[HP2]

I had an issue that I thought was related to the shackle bushings, car would squeak over the slightest bump, drove me crazy till I finally figurered it out.  Wasn't a poly bushing problem (I have all Moog rubber).  But I've heard many complain poly can squeak.

Proof rubber can squeak too. I had a 3rd gen camaro that squeaked prett bad, and tt had ruber bushings in it, yet a lot of people thnk ruber is excempt from this problem.

Ride quality and NVH compatibility is pretty personal and hard to quantify. To me, poly is worth it and I do not feel it is too harsh, but rather better connects me to the road. On the other hand, rubber is mushy and less responsve, IMO, but others do like it.

[LAA66]

 I used a mixture of both. Installed the poly Strut bushings, swaybar bushings, and again on the Lower control arms (as they don't need to be press on, which is nice).  Then used the Moog rubber offset Upper control arm bushings for the caster advantage though.

 Not really "harsh" just more road noise IMO, bumps seem about the same on the crappy roads around here. 

[PlumCraZRT]

I rebuilt with Poly bushings (big block) and then got bigger torsion bars ("solo racing", 1.0 in dia I think).  I definately think bigger torsion bars are the way to go.  It's a high-damp shock that will really turn your suspension harsh.

[wally426ci]

Id go rubber if you just cruise around (bumpy) streets.

With the light use that most of our cars get, rubber should last a good while IMO.

[ChallengerHK]

  It may well dry rot before it actually wears out.

[Bullitt-]

FWIW I was under our '98 GT over the weekend and all the bushings appear to be poly from the factory, no evidence of deterioration or squeaks. It drives pretty decent to.   

[CUDA JAS]

Id go rubber if you just cruise around (bumpy) streets.

With the light use that most of our cars get, rubber should last a good while IMO.

That is what I was thinking, but I am still on the fence at this point.

Right now I know how I use the car, and what I want it to do....ride nice and take corners ok...right now I do not like the way it drives but I am not sure what to expect with new rubber vs. poly.

I will firure it out over the winter.

thanks for all the input.

Jason