about to buy all of my bushings, is there that much of a difference in the urethane bushings versus the factory rubber style?

 

From all I have read over the past 30 or so years, polyurethane will provide a tighter ride but can be harsher. The rubber bushings are more compliant so a softer more comfortable ride.

 

I replaced my OEM rubber w/ poly two years ago and I'm not certain I feel any difference.

 

so, no difference to possibly a softer ride. i'm curious if a urethane body bushing makes sense for the tighter fit between body and frame, but use the factory rubber for the control arms for the ride. maybe i'm reading into it wrong.

 

I'd go the other way: rubber frame to body and poly suspension. You want to remove/reduce the deflection in the suspension mount points, and isolate the cabin from the road.

 

I put poly body bushings on my first 67 Cutlass and it did firm up the "feel" of the car, but that could have been because the original ones were completely worn out and falling apart. It was a convertible so I didn't notice any difference in sound. It was certainly not harsh in any way after the change. YMMV!!!

 

If you were happy with the rubber before, and they lasted, how many years/ miles, and they didn't squeak or groan, I would stay with what you have. It's really 6 of one and a half dozen of another...Tedd

 

Poly = harsher ride and possible squeaks in cooler weather. Depends on what your intended use for the car is. If your current bushings are pretty far gone, you may find that getting rubber replacements will result in a big enough improvement to make you very happy.

 

Do some research before choosing poly for the rear control arms. I would do rubber if I had to do it again. No deflection in the poly and requires heim joint uppers to correct.

 

thanks guys, i think i will just stick to rubber. i have heard about the potential squeaks, hadn't read about the rear control arms yet. i can get moog bushings from my local parts place, i know someone there and i can get his discount, he just can't get the body to frame bushings and mounts. i'll just throw them in my OPG cart before i make my next order.

 

For stock suspension parts I use rubber (Moog brand), poly for the aftermarket rear. I've never tried poly or urethane body to frame mounts.

 

Polygraphite Bushings. Best thing I ever did. Ride is still good and handles great. No squeaks, even in cold weather.

 

I rebuilt the suspension on my car probably 25 years ago with all new moog bushings. While they did work well, I notice many years ago the front upper control arm bushings were falling apart. I don’t think it was necessarily a problem with the bushings themselves, I bet it’s due more from the heat of the headers. The rest of the bushings looked great.

I replaced them all again with a polyurethane kit from Energy Suspension. So far, they are still good.

 

X2. Energy Suspension is a big supplier of polyurethane suspension bushings. I don't use those. PST (Performance Suspension Tech) markets theirs as polygraphite. The addition of graphite being there to help with the noise/squeaks. I've had these on my 442 (front and back, upper and lower) for over 20 years. Work great. I recently installed a set on my Cutlass S and there is definitely a noticeable difference. Don't expect a total suspension transformation but do expect less deflection and 'wander'.

 

No doubt, but how much of the improvement is due to new vs. old?

 

Day and night! Compared to rubber.

 

I put Polygraphite bushings (PST) in my front A-arms w/ a complete front end rebuild back in the late '80s on my '68. Didn't really notice any additional road noise, but I do get squeaking in cold weather. In addition to a slightly more planted road feel, I haven't had to re-align my front end for over 30 years.

2 years ago I had to swap the weak 7.5" 10-bolt in the rear of my '98 T/A with a Strange S60. While I was at it, I replaced the control arms and panhard bar with aftermarket parts w/ heim joints (also the torque-arm was replaced w/ a unit that is coupled to the "cross-member" w/ a poly bushing). WOW did that increase the road noise! So much that I'm glad I held onto the factory parts in case I want to go back to them.

 

On my 70 Cutlass, I did all urethane bushings from upper to lowers and front and rears including sway bar bushings. My car rides like the wheels are made of stone. I feel like switching it over to rubber but since I dont take the car out as much, I left it alone. Over here in NYC, there's too many potholes and I try to avoid them. The car handles tight and doesn't squeal but it feels tight when making corner turns.