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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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