Forgive me, I don't hang around the suspension board much, so I don't know if this is covered a lot.

I'm really wanting to overhaul my suspension bushings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. Everybody recommends the Polyurethane stuff, but it makes for a harsh ride, correct? I know it makes up in the handling department, but for me that isnt terribly important right now. The car handles really well already and has all the crappy stock rubber stuff in place.

Is there an alternative to polyurethane that will improve ride quality? I know it won't be as good in the handling department. That's ok. It's a mainly street driven car and I'm tired of that harsh ride! I guess you guys can understand I don't want to trade for a more harsh ride with better handling .

Please make suggestions.......Thanks!

 

You can go with 1LE spec bushings but I think the cost wouldn't justify that. Why not go ahead and upgrade to poly bushings and just go with some softer springs and shocks? Say go to "RS" springs instead of "Z28" springs?

Ed

 

I haven't noticed any extra harshness by installing the poly. But then again, people said the ES trans mount caused extra vibration, and I don't feel that either.

My car's ride quality went from harsh to "less harsh"... the bushings and springs were original +255,000 mile units. Front struts were from '96 (probably 100,000 on 'em) and rear shocks were air shocks. I thought the ride would be harder when I was done, but it wasn't... I guess I had been "falling into" bumps and holes and ripples, where as now, the suspension can actually handle them, and keep the car level.

 

Don't poly bushings squeak and bind and stuff? I don't want a new suspension that souhds old. That's one of the reasons I'm replacing my stuff anyway.

 

Anything short of spherical rod ends will bind, and those are way too harsh for what you are looking for. Also, as long as poly bushings are properly greased, they will not squeak.

 

they are definately a little harder and you can hear the road noise alot more in the car as well as vabration in some instances. i eventually replaced most of mine with good rubber pieces and i'm very happy with it.

 

Kandied,

Where did you get your good rubber pieces? I think thats what I'm going to do.

 

Replace it with stock rubber bushings. . . . You have answered your own question. Use Moog.

RBob.

 

yep very nice pieces from moog and they work just as well as the poly.....may not hold up as long obviously but for a street car they are much nicer.

 

Is there some part numbers you can give me or a package deal to look for? Thanks.

 

No squeaks from mine yet... see https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=186491

 

PST poly-Graphite (no squeak) or their "stock" replacement bushing kits.

 

I had a hard time locating Moog parts to buy. Also, I could use some part numbers if you guys have them. I pretty much want to rebuild the front suspension/steering assembly short of changing the antisway bar and the shocks/springs (for now).

 

I put the PST Polygraphite stuff in mine and no squeeks. Its got graphite impregnated in the bushings and they act as a lubricant. I was happy I did too, even with 47,500 mi on the car, the stock rubber sway bar bushings were seriously chewed up. Anyone know the life expectancy of the polygraphite stuff?

If you get the regular polyurethane stuff you'll have to lube it yourself. Don't know if the cost difference is worth it, I went straight to PST w/o looking at the plain polyurethane stuff.

--
Anthony T.
1990 white TA harptop 305ci/A4

Goumba's 1990 TA

 

That all sounds really great, but I still don't want the harder ride. My ride is harsh enough as it is, so I think I'm going to do with the rubber stuff. I still need a package or part numbers to look for though! Thanks.

 

http://www.p-s-t.com/

 

Has anybody bought the standard front end kit from there? It doesnt say what its made of or who manufactures it, but I assume its good rubber instead of the Polygraphite of the other set.

 

Guys, the PST "polygraphite" bushings are made by Energy Suspension. Just do a <a href="search.php?s="><img src="images/top_search.gif" alt="Search" border="0"></a> ...

 

If you're talking to me, I asked about the non-polygraphite set.

 

Made from standard OEM rubber, just like stock.

 

Ok that's cool. I'd like to hear from anybody who's bought it, though. Thanks.