I still have most of the stock bushings in my '82. Obviously, it's time to reaplace them. I'm considering polygraphite, but I don't want to be vibrated and shook like I'm in a semi. I'm sure you all know our cars tend to have their share of squeaks and rattles, and I think the poly might only make it worse. I want to tighen up the ride (it feels like it's about ready to fall apart now). I'd like to hear anyone's experiences with this.

BTW, I never go to the track, I really don't push the car too hard, but it would be nice to be able to if a 'stang pulled up along side me.

 

Its not bad at all.

Biggest problem I find people doing is not lubing they heck out of them from day one and two is proper installation.(Helps out nicely for squaeks until they tend to wear themselves in)

That means not tweaking the control arm taking them out or putting the new bushings back in:-)

And also installing them with the suspension loaded and to the proper torque spec.

Done it on multiple F and G bodies, and I will do it in the future.

later
Jeremy

 

No rubber left in my 85. My experience is rubber for comfort and poly for handling. A day in my car wears me out (the Chrysler LHS has ruined me). No squeaks, by the way.

JamesC

 

polyurethane squeaks. Polygraphite is somewhat self lubricating.

 

For the front, Moog make their Problem Solver bushings which are a higher durometer than stock. This should give you extra rigidity without the harshness of poly (how well a car rides is strongly based on opinion, so if you know people with different setups, go for a ride in their car).

 

Have you guys heard that polygraphite and polyurethane wear out faster than OE rubber bushings. How many miles do you get on a set of either one. Thx.

 

Poly isn't going to break down as quickly as rubber. By the way, my car has been full poly for a number of years and I've never heard a squeek (granted, some of it is greaseable). Higher durometer bushings, at least the 36mm's, are still available from GM.

JamesC

 

James - Your using polyurethane not polygraphite, right?

 

I've got polyurethane everywhere, from energy suspension. take a part #, say 3.3136 (LCA bushings I think), add R to the end to get red polyurethane, G to the end to get black. They refer to the G at the end to mean it's polygraphite, but I REALLY think it's just black polyurethane.
Look for polygraphite suspension stuff,
http://www.p-s-t.com/catalog.html
there's a few companies that advertise polygraphite. polygraphite has graphite in it (duh!), think of a pencils 'lead'. or dry graphite spray lubricant, hence the self lubricating ability. also, if you grease your polyurethane, which you should, the stock grease they give you NEVER washes off, it's invinceable....

 

I've heard this about polygraphite.

 

The former.

JamesC

 

I like the idea of the moog bushings. I'll look into it. Very true that ride is all a matter of perception. I'm not looking for a ride like a caddy, but I don't want to feel like I'm on a roller coaster either. Thanks for all the info!!

 

I've had the ES 'G' poly in my TA for... oh... 10+ years now. No squeaking, ever. I greased them up once when I put everything in, havent touched it since.

As said above, I dont think its harsh but then again its a subjective thing. Some people want to feel like they are in a Cadillac. I think if you want a Cadillac ride, go buy one.