Poly vs Rubber Bushings

I wouldn't say that the poly give a rougher ride... but they CAN be noisy (squeeky) when cold, but it's well worth that for the improved handling, in my opinion. If you get the black graphite-impregnated versions ("G" suffix on ES bushing part numbers) then they're even less prone to squeaking.

 

I had poly bushing in my Esprit and 308...... LOVE them. love the firmer ride. noise???, I don't know, the engine and music sound is overwhelm. Plus, the idea of never have to replace them again for nearly forever is a real must for me.

 

The Uretane bushings are a lot easier to install than the OEM replacements which require cutting out the old bushings and welding in new ones. The urethane bushings just pop right into the old sleeves after cleaning. Somebody posted about that here only a couple of weeks ago.

Wil

 

I have been following the various threads regarding suspension bushings, reading articles, looking at pics etc, but I have one very important question.

In the original design, and in general most road cars the world over, the suspension arms have rubber mountings. Its not really a bushing, as a flexible rubber mount. The rubber "twists" as the arms move through thier axes. But the through bolt goes through a metal sleeve inside the mount, and once torqued down, the sleeve is squeezed between the tounges and the sleeve remains stationary against the bolt. No moving parts, no mechanical wear.

When running a poly bushing, and it IS a bushing, the through bolt becomes a wear item as the bushing rotates around the bolt as the suspension arm travels. Does anyone here have any knowledge to how long the bolts last before they become a safety issue? If the bushings were bored larger internally, a sleeve could be fitted that could be pinched simular to the stock mount, and the sleeve would carry the wear instead of the through bolt.

 

The Energy Suspension 3x8 a-arm bushings come built with a molded-in thru sleeve that's locked in place by the thru-bolt, so the outer sleeve rotates on the bushing. Each bushing also comes with a small plastic tube of lubricant as well.

 

While on my Europa they are awful on the street. WAY too harsh. So I guess different cars are better than others with them.

Ken

 

The ES poly bushing rotates inside the outer welded factory sleeve, and rotates on the inner new sleeve clamped in place by the mounting bolt. This is why you need to lubricate both the inner and outer sleeves during assembly.

In the photo you can see the bushings as purchased out of the box (in front), the bushings in the left rear are with the outer sleeve removed, and the removed sleeves (ready to be discarded) are in the right of the photo.
The white tubes are the lubrication that comes with each bushing.

HTH
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Tnx John,
I stand corrected, it's been a couple of years since I installed any of these & I forgot that the inner sleeve was movable.

I just grabbed a spare one before posting, pushed the outer sleeve off, but couldn't push the inner sleeve out by hand.

Obviously In addition to incipient Alzheimers, I"m getting weak in my old age.

 

nice pic

 

Does this apply to the Mondial as well, and do they use the same bush kits

 

How much overall difference is there in feel and driving performance of a poly bushing over a stock mount? I see SuperPerformance sells hard rubber mounts in addition to the stock mounts, anyone have any knowledge??

 

Pete-
Yes, same bushings on the Mondial.

In my experience the ES poly bushings feel exactly the same as rubber, but then again, I did mine over a winter suspension project, so it was months between comparison drives. I'm sure a more experienced driver can tell the difference. Mine do not squeak at all. Never had any problems with them.

Birdman

 

The ES black graphite-impregnated poly bushings in my car (recently installed) do seem stiffer than the worn originals. But, I've only tested it a few times in 20-30 degree weather- so the tires are really stiff too and it was always a little stiffer in the winter. Not objectionable at all- just stiffer. I think to know for sure, I will need to wait until it's warmer.

No noise at all- at least yet....