Polygraphite Vs Polyurethane Vs Rubber

Jolly Green · March 10th, 2009, 12:26 AM

Who's running what and why? How's it workin for ya? I want to rebuild all my bushings and I want handling but a decent ride that is not annoying (i.e. squeaks). Would enjoy handling the late model mustangs that all the kids have on base.

Olds64 · March 10th, 2009, 05:23 AM

I redid the suspension on my 64 98 with rubber bushings. It improved the ride quality quite a bit. Of course, a 98 is a heavy car and wasn't intended to "handle" like a Mustang. I've heard that polygraphite bushings squeak after installing them.

bigoldscruiser · March 10th, 2009, 07:15 PM

The Polyurethane bushings squeak but the Polygraphite was developed to eliminate that problem. I just went with rubber on my '66 98 to re-new and preserve the original ride.

OLD SKL 69 · March 10th, 2009, 09:34 PM

I have not gotten to my front bushings yet on my 69 Cutlass yet but have used rubber and polyurethane bushings in other cars. Poly definitely will tighten up the car but then you have squeaking issues. They come with assembly lube but it eventually wears away. Then you're stuck with spraying WD 40 or a graphite lube all over them to get them to stop making noise, at least for a little while.

Like bigoldscruiser stated, polygraphite were developed to eliminate the problem of squeaking but I have not used them yet to verify that they actually are better than polyurethane.

cfair · May 31st, 2009, 11:08 PM

I'm a bit a late on this one since I just joined, but here's some experience for you. I've had a 98 convertible with KYB's and a rear sway bar for 25 years or so. Rubber all around. The rear sway bar from Addco is a good fix. Just so you know I like decent handling.

'Bout 10 years ago I got a 66 Starfire, a sportier model than the 98, but not a 442. I figured, hey let's try the poly urethane. I put them in the front and rear when I went through the suspension in restoration. I didn't like 'em and after about 3-4 years went back to rubber. Maybe if I was time trialing or canyon carving (with a Starfire?) I'd keep 'em but for the big cars in my view the polyurethane were just too stiff.

I don't recall having noise trouble, but I distinctly remember how much more firm/harsh polyurethane was compared to rubber. YMMV, but that's my 2 cents.

cf

March 10th, 2009, 12:26 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jolly Green Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 152	Polygraphite Vs Polyurethane Vs Rubber Who's running what and why? How's it workin for ya? I want to rebuild all my bushings and I want handling but a decent ride that is not annoying (i.e. squeaks). Would enjoy handling the late model mustangs that all the kids have on base. __________________ First Muscle 68 442 Las Vegas, NV My Cardomain Page

March 10th, 2009, 05:23 AM	#2 (permalink)
Olds64 Landyacht Club President Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lawton, OK Posts: 4,286	I redid the suspension on my 64 98 with rubber bushings. It improved the ride quality quite a bit. Of course, a 98 is a heavy car and wasn't intended to "handle" like a Mustang. I've heard that polygraphite bushings squeak after installing them. __________________ Ferris, my father loves this car more than life itself... Apparently, you don't understand! Ferris, he never drives it! He just rubs it with a diaper! Cameron Frye Ferris Bueller's Day Off 1986

March 10th, 2009, 09:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
OLD SKL 69 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 307	I have not gotten to my front bushings yet on my 69 Cutlass yet but have used rubber and polyurethane bushings in other cars. Poly definitely will tighten up the car but then you have squeaking issues. They come with assembly lube but it eventually wears away. Then you're stuck with spraying WD 40 or a graphite lube all over them to get them to stop making noise, at least for a little while. Like bigoldscruiser stated, polygraphite were developed to eliminate the problem of squeaking but I have not used them yet to verify that they actually are better than polyurethane. __________________ Darrell 1971 Cutlass Supreme

May 31st, 2009, 11:08 PM	#5 (permalink)
cfair Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 44	Tried Polyurethane, went back to rubber on 66 Starfire I'm a bit a late on this one since I just joined, but here's some experience for you. I've had a 98 convertible with KYB's and a rear sway bar for 25 years or so. Rubber all around. The rear sway bar from Addco is a good fix. Just so you know I like decent handling. 'Bout 10 years ago I got a 66 Starfire, a sportier model than the 98, but not a 442. I figured, hey let's try the poly urethane. I put them in the front and rear when I went through the suspension in restoration. I didn't like 'em and after about 3-4 years went back to rubber. Maybe if I was time trialing or canyon carving (with a Starfire?) I'd keep 'em but for the big cars in my view the polyurethane were just too stiff. I don't recall having noise trouble, but I distinctly remember how much more firm/harsh polyurethane was compared to rubber. YMMV, but that's my 2 cents. cf

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March 10th, 2009, 07:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigoldscruiser 2 '66 98's Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: central New Jersey Posts: 170	The Polyurethane bushings squeak but the Polygraphite was developed to eliminate that problem. I just went with rubber on my '66 98 to re-new and preserve the original ride.

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