Poly vs rubber bushing for control arms

Discussion in 'The whoa and the sway.' started by tdeangelis, Apr 23, 2022.

  1. tdeangelis

    tdeangelis Well-Known Member

    Anybody have an opinion on using the harder polyurethane upper and lower control arm bushings in the front suspension versus the OEM rubber for 70 gs 455. How is the hardness of the ride etc?
    thks Tom
     
  2. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

    I used them in my car and I like them (Energy brand). I don't see any downside other than experts can obviously see they are not correct (I don't care).

    My feeling is these cars have plenty of ride , and the slight difference Urethane bushings might make is only a positive to me.
     
    Dano likes this.
  3. TrunkMonkey

    TrunkMonkey Well-Known Member

    If you have any issues with squeaking, you can fix it with a hacksaw. Mufflers are for considerate neighbors...
     
    Super Bald Menace likes this.
  4. Dano

    Dano Platinum Level Contributor

    I used them last build (front/rear/upper/lower) along w/a T/A front anti-swaybar/stock rear & bolting @ the bodymount cushions & was very pleased with the ride/handling
     
  5. Quick Buick

    Quick Buick Arlington Wa

    My car came with Poly bushing... For in general driving they are Ok. I cant say if there is any improvement or not..... One thing for sure their are lot of speed bumps in my community,,, the poly bushings going over the bumps makes the sound like a pile O dung.... The squeaking noise is not worth it... If you can find real rubber that would be my choice....
     
  6. Daves69

    Daves69 Too many cars too work on

    I am not a fan of the poly bushings. Harsh ride, and squeaks are the biggest complaint. The old rubber gets soft after 50 years. New rubber bushings restore a firm comfortable ride.
     
    FLGS400 and Quick Buick like this.
  7. PaulGS

    PaulGS Well-Known Member

    Put poly in and took them out.

    Rubber bushings for me.
     
    Quick Buick likes this.
  8. srobinr

    srobinr Well-Known Member

    I replaced all the 55 year old suspension parts/rubber bushings with new brand upper/lower UMI control arms in the front and a mix of hotchkiss/Lakewood in the rear- all poly. The handling is impeccable and very smooth if the roads are good. But with rough roads and bumps it does get to be a noticeably harsher ride. It was way too squeaky too but that went away after several months of break-in and relubing with prothane poly grease.

    So now I am going to replace both the front and rear bushings again but with rubber this time—

    This is probably a dumb question cause I am 99% sure the answer is yes, just to confirm:

    are the OEM factory size rubber bushings we can get from acdelco/moog for our stock control arms, a interchangeable swap out with the poly bushings in our aftermarket UMI/Hotchikiss/etc. control arms ? They have to be right?
     
    Dano likes this.
  9. Fox's Den

    Fox's Den 355Xrs

    How can you hear the squeaking with that cam and mufflers making all that noise? I have the set up and I can't hear it unless the car if not running and I bounce the car up and down and then it does not move much with the heavy springs. Need more watts in the stereo lol
     
    72gs4spd likes this.
  10. srobinr

    srobinr Well-Known Member

    That’s how loud it was when slowing down over bumps. It went away eventually.
     
  11. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    srobinr - I would not assume - contact the manufacture to be sure.
     
    srobinr likes this.
  12. Super Bald Menace

    Super Bald Menace Frame off oil changes

    On my 66 I put new rubber in front lower control arms and used poly on upper front for less deflection.
    In rear I went with poly upper and lower but made sure to liberally apply the poly lube on all surfaces.
     
    srobinr likes this.
  13. srobinr

    srobinr Well-Known Member

    I did give hotchkiss a call and the the answer I received was a hesitant yes, lol. That’s why I was asking here from anyone else’s experience. I’ll give umi a call when I get a chance.
     
  14. Chuck George

    Chuck George Well-Known Member

    srobinr likes this.
  15. 6455spd

    6455spd Silver Level contributor

    I think it depends on how good your roads are around your area, I had poly bushings but being in Minnesota, where the roads can be bad, i hated them. I swapped out the poly for rubber and am glad i did to save wear and tear on the rest of the car body. I did notice a difference between the two, the rubber is definitely a more comfortable ride.
     
    Quick Buick likes this.
  16. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    I run poly all around on the GS.
    You guys probably wouldn't appreciate the ride & handling stiffness of a Corvette.
     

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