Has anybody tried the PST polygraphite suspension parts. I need to replace all the bushings in my suspension for my 68 442. There was a PST catalog on our brake table at work and the prices seem reasonable. Wondering if anybody has an opinion they would like to share on the subject.

Chris

 

I used their stuff for the rear suspension when I rebuilt my 66 Holiday Sedan. I was very satisfied.

 

I have them in the front of the car in the pics, I like them. They are different than rubber. They really "tighten" everything up, quicker response to every move of the steering wheel. I did a quick ratio steering box at the same time, and replaced everything that was in any way loose. Made a lot of difference in how it drives. It took some getting used to. I initally thought the poly bushings might have been a mistake, but after getting some driving time I like them.
I "heard" the only thing graphite was the black color, that they don't have any built in lubricant. Must be true, I didn't get anything black on my hands during installation. I bought a big tube of the grease from Summit and really laid it on them, I have no squeaks.

 

Thanks guys. That was what I needed to hear. I will order my bushings tomorrow.

Chris

 

I was going to get PST, but had issues navigating on their site... ending up getting Energy Suspension bushings instead.

 

I have abandoned lots of companies due to crappy websites - I thought I was the only one...
I wish they would make them the way they used to be - easy, fast, and efficient. They now try make em so sophisticated and cute that they don't work well or work at all...

 

AMEN x1000

 

I install PST parts wherever & whenever I can.I have been using their stuff before there was a website.

 

The PST suspension stuff is cheap off shore junk.

Take a MOOG ball joint and compare it to a PST ball joint....Stevie Wonder could see the difference.....

I would not recommend poly bushings either. Suggest you drive a car with them before going to all the trouble.

Wish I did....

 

Damn... now I have to rip all the poly bushings off. that sux.

 

Everybody else I talk to loves the poly bushings. I guess it is all a matter of personal preferance. I only drove the car around the block before I tore it apart and the original bushings were shot or missing entirely. I don't really have any ride to compare it too so I am not afraid of it feeling too different. I have heard very good things about energy suspension bushings also.

Chris

 

Curious... are these ppl complaining about poor ride quality also using poly body mounts as well? When I get to that point, my plan was to use rubber body mounts.

 

I'm sure you already know this, but I read that if you go poly front you need to do stock bushin in the rear or they will bind.

 

yesem... heard those stories a hundred times. Have to especially go rubber on the axle upper side otherwise you will die or have heart attack or somethin.

 

That's all just silly.

In the REAR, you can't use rigid bushings (such as roller bearings) all around, because the system relies on some radial deflection in the bushings as the suspension travels up and down - the lower arms move pretty much parallel to each other and to the front-rear axis of the car, but the upper arms move at about a 45° angle to the car's axis, and this doesn't play well with the lowers, as you can imagine.

If your rear end bushings are too rigid, you've got to go to softer ones on at least one end of the uppers. The polygraphite ones are stiffer than the original rubber, but are not rigid, so they will probably work (only one way to be sure), but there are fancy "hot rod" bushings that will cause problems if you use eight of them on the rear end.

- Eric

 

I was going to do the pst front kit for my cutlass, but found tubular arms on ebay and pst steering kit for about 150 more, the tubular arms have aluminum bushings.

I have their front sway bar with polygragh bushings coming too......

 

I order stock bushings for my rear. thanks for the info

 

I can understand the upper rear 'frame' side needing to 'articulate' as they say... otherwise there would not be so many aftermarket upper control arms with swivel type joints on that side. So it must be somewhat of an issue at that particular location.

 

Eric,

You seem to have a great understanding of the suspension geometries and where more movement is necissary. I have not ordered any of the bushings yet, but I need to replace them all (front and rear) on my 68 442. I was planning to order the polygraphite bushings all around but am open to suggestions. Should I put rubber bushings on both sides of the upper rears to allow the needed reflection?

Chris

 

The front is ok, b/c it just an up/down motion. Poly would prob be ok (delrin would be cool though)... until it possibly squeaks... then you have to remove them and lube them (unless they already have grease fittings).

In my research so far,all poly on the rear upper is not a good idea... you need some 'articulation' on at least the frame side. I would either use rubber, or get an aftermarket double adjustable upper arms with poly (or rubber) on the axle side, and a swivel joint of some sort on the frame side. As for the lower arms, not too sure. I bought the Hotchkis TVS kit, which has solid rear lower control arms with HUGE poly bushings. I can't see too much articulation in that area.

I hope I like the ride once back on the road. If I don't, I already have it planned to pull the Hotchkis stuff off, go rubber ALL around and go back to the stock rear control arms.

 

This has turned into quite a nice discussion with some great advice!

Chris

 

I really don't know - I haven't yet tried the Polygraphites - I'm thinking of using Delalum (delrin) when I finally get to that point, but I haven't decided.

My memory of the Polygraphites from seeing them several years ago is that they DO deflect, only not so easily as rubber does. If this is the case, they should be fine all around. The problem really only comes with the rigid bushings. Honestly, I'd ask the PST rep about it - they've sold a whole lot of these things, and they've heard a lot of stories about how they've worked, and the employees probably get discounts and run the products on their own cars, so he's probably got experience one way or another with them.

My understanding is that basically, there are two types of bushing possibilities:
rubber, and other squishy things (which includes Polygraphite), or
rigid, which includes Heim joints, Delrin, needle bearings, etc.
Anything that's a bit squishy should be fine.

- Eric

 

PST's stuff is pretty decent quality and they also have (i believe) a lifetime guarantee on the parts.

I had some trouble (i thought) with a centerlink i bought from them not fitting right, and they really bent over backwards to help me out- and SHOW me, and in the end it turned out their part was right. They had an employee drive out to another of their locations where they keep a bunch of samples of original items and he took a picture of their new part next to the original & the caliper measurements to show it all. Way more work than i expected on a $120 part- especially because in the end they were right!

I've used their stuff in about 6 front ends, many many miles on them so far without a problem, and will continue to do so.

Pick up the phone an call if you are having problems on the website. I honestly hate ordering stuff online. I prefer to call and speak to someone myself.

 

My 70 Cutlass has Energy Suspension in the fronts (upper and lower) and rears (upper and lower). I also have the 1 1/4" front sway bar and 1" rear sway bar with boxed lower arms. One thing i hate about the poly graphite bushing is that it will make your car ride hard. Too many potholes here in NYC.

 

I have used PST on 2 of my 3 cars now. Note: Most of you have pre 73 cars and Im not sure if that makes a difference but for 73 and up there are not to many choices. I am very please with PST bushings. My cars have been featured in there magazines but this has nothing to do with my decision to use them nor should it for you! They are good.
My2Cents......

 

Just tp clarify something.I use Moog balljoints & tie rods.I use PST bushings for my control arms,and body bushings.
Once again,you can never get everything all in one place.You have to hand-pick the good stuff.