daberry Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Has anyone installed poly bushings in their front and rear suspensions? How do you like it? I would like to try it but thought I would see if anyone had done it and get their results. Thanks, Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I personally won't use them again, they squeak way too much for my liking Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 Can you say SQUEAK? Not till after several years, wish I never put them in. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Burns Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I just put them in my Camaro. No squeaks- they came with some sort of grease that needs to be applied liberally! Made the front end much tighter. I love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I did some research before deciding, final decision was polygraphite in the front, stock rubber in the back. There were varying opinions out there but found enough that said it did not squeak and new poly is designed to prevent squeaking. Also ordered an extra tube of the special grease and used it liberally. Put them in about 3 years ago, so far no squeaks but I haven't driven all that much. Maybe the new polygraphite is better than the old at not squeaking, not sure, only time will tell. You can't go wrong with stock rubber though. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted September 30, 2012 Share Posted September 30, 2012 I think mine were from PST?? They advertised no squeak and they didn't for several years. Now I spray the heck out of them with silicone and they stop squeaking. It has been over 22 years since I put them in. Got the entire ft end kit with ball joints and tie rod ends. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans '70 Z20 Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I believe the difference, now compared to 22 years ago, is they impregnate the polyeruthane with graphite material to prevent binding/squeaking. That is why as of late they are much less likely to squeak. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 Dan, "impregnate the polyeruthane with graphite material" Yep, that's what it said in the magazine ad (No inter web back then) and why I got them. I honestly didn't even think of a "squeak problem" with or without graphite when I was rebuilding the ft end till I read that. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I have them in the rear right now, and plan on the front when I get new tubular A-arms. Right now I have newer rubber in the front. I have not heard any squeaks yet but I do not drive it much and the big block and loud exhaust I don't think I would hear them anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreas Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I run the polygraphite bushings and there is a little bit squeaking, but not too annoying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Burns Posted October 1, 2012 Share Posted October 1, 2012 I'm using Energy Suspension bushings. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-3101G Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 The pivot mechanism is different between stock rubber bushings and the poly bushings. The stock rubber actually flex to allow movement. Techically there are no moving parts to squeek. The poly type of bushing are too stiff to flex, and once the inner cross-tube is torqued in place, the only place for movement is for the bushing to rotate around the inner cross-tube. THAT's where the liberal grease should go: between the bushing and the cross-tube. Putting lubricant on the inside of the cross tube where the bolt passes through is of no use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daberry Posted October 3, 2012 Author Share Posted October 3, 2012 Thanks for all the input. Are you pleased with the improved driving characteristics?? Dale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I remember thinking "where's the change" so I can say I wasn't impressed. I also think my 71 lost some of it's smoothness and became harsher on bumps. (What a great memory, 22+ years and I still remember how it felt?) Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGD72Monte Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 The pivot mechanism is different between stock rubber bushings and the poly bushings. The stock rubber actually flex to allow movement. Techically there are no moving parts to squeek. The poly type of bushing are too stiff to flex, and once the inner cross-tube is torqued in place, the only place for movement is for the bushing to rotate around the inner cross-tube. THAT's where the liberal grease should go: between the bushing and the cross-tube. Putting lubricant on the inside of the cross tube where the bolt passes through is of no use. Marc, just curious, how does that movement work for control arms with oval bushings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 The oval bushings are the same: they still have a round cross-tube and a bolt thru the center. One of the tricks for off-road vehicles is to loosen the bolts that go thru the bushings to allow more freedom of movement. It makes the suspension a bit sloppy, but lets the suspension move without binding. If the bolts are not tight, then the cross-tube DOES rotate around the bolt. If you use the book and torque the bolts to specs, the cross-tube gets squeezed and can't move. Some bushings even have a cross-tube that has serations, or "teeth" cut in the ends of the tube so they really grab on to prevent rotation when tightened. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Burns Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Thanks for all the input. Are you pleased with the improved driving characteristics?? Dale I am very pleased! I suggest you have good gas shocks and when you do your alignment, get as much caster as you can. (Guys on the Team Chevelle site told me about that.) I had this done on my very heavy 68 Camaro. On the highway at 70+ it takes bumps easily- just keeps tracking straight and it is nice and stable on curves. I find myself driving much faster now and not realizing it (think a cop would go for that story? ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I believe it is important to not tighten the bolts till there is a full load on the suspension. So don't tighten the big bolts while the car is off the ground. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 I believe it is important to not tighten the bolts till there is a full load on the suspension. So don't tighten the big bolts while the car is off the ground. Bruce this is true if using rubber bushings, if using poly bushings it won't matter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 Sam, At least I remembered it half correct! Thanks for correcting it. Bruce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted October 7, 2012 Share Posted October 7, 2012 it's a team effort here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mymontesa70 Posted February 18, 2016 Share Posted February 18, 2016 yea I know im deep in the history but im at the polly/rubber crossroads myself and was wondering if I could get some recent results/opinions. I always thought poly was supposed to be an improvement over rubber? everyone seems to hate it. If im going to be a weekend autocross racer wouldn't I want poly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbreese Posted February 20, 2016 Share Posted February 20, 2016 Hey Brandon, IMHO if you are going to be auto crossing poly would not deflect like rubber would. So my vote would be for poly, coil over shocks and oversized front and rear swaybars. UMI is a great source for suspension parts for our A-body's and Ramy and the rest of the crew are very knowledgeable and can set you with what you need. Their parts are designed and built in-house. USA FTW!! David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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