Polybushing - worth the hassle?
Discussion
I can understand someone with a performance car going to such lengths, I recently did my Lancer Turbo EX (only cos polys were cheaper and easier to get than standards) Made a drastic improvement, then again the ones I took out were 30 years old so it was kind of expected.
Just sat here wondering if it's worth doing it to an every day, run of the mill motor?. I'd wager not but would be interested to hear opinions.
Just sat here wondering if it's worth doing it to an every day, run of the mill motor?. I'd wager not but would be interested to hear opinions.
RemyMartin said:
A friend of mine at work has a full polybush set on his MG ZS180 and in his words, ' its f
king horrendous, ludicrous vibrations in the car and the hardest ride ever' although I understand its probably good on a track.....not he tracks it.
Did he do the engine mounts as well?king horrendous, ludicrous vibrations in the car and the hardest ride ever' although I understand its probably good on a track.....not he tracks it.I never found upgrading to polybushes made that much difference NVH wise. Upgrading the engine mounts on the other hand.
RemyMartin said:
Marf said:
Did he do the engine mounts as well?
I never found upgrading to polybushes made that much difference NVH wise. Upgrading the engine mounts on the other hand.
90% sure he didn't. I'll text him and find out lol.I never found upgrading to polybushes made that much difference NVH wise. Upgrading the engine mounts on the other hand.
HustleRussell said:
Personally I'd keep polybushes for anti-roll bars and maybe wishbones, but on other fixings, particularly subframe bushes, track control arms, engine mounts etc, where you want movement in more than one plane and vibration attenuation, I would want to fit new rubber ones.
ETA: another reason for the popularity of polybushes is that they are almost always significantly easier to fit than rubber ones.
Very good answer. I found this on my old BMW. Polybushes on the front wishbones really tightened up the front and sharpened the steering without making the car harsh. Polybushes on the trailing arms weren't a good idea though unless you don't mind increased NVH. The car felt tighter but rumbled over drain covers and transmitted more road noise. If you have any wear in the drivetrain this will also be transmitted more into the cabin in the form of noise. I would not do the trailing arms again, at least not for a road car. ETA: another reason for the popularity of polybushes is that they are almost always significantly easier to fit than rubber ones.
Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 19th August 18:58
corvus said:
HustleRussell said:
Personally I'd keep polybushes for anti-roll bars and maybe wishbones, but on other fixings, particularly subframe bushes, track control arms, engine mounts etc, where you want movement in more than one plane and vibration attenuation, I would want to fit new rubber ones.
ETA: another reason for the popularity of polybushes is that they are almost always significantly easier to fit than rubber ones.
Very good answer. I found this on my old BMW. Polybushes on the front wishbones really tightened up the front and sharpened the steering without making the car harsh. Polybushes on the trailing arms weren't a good idea though unless you don't mind increased NVH. The car felt tighter but rumbled over drain covers and transmitted more road noise. If you have any wear in the drivetrain this will also be transmitted more into the cabin in the form of noise. I would not do the trailing arms again, at least not for a road car. ETA: another reason for the popularity of polybushes is that they are almost always significantly easier to fit than rubber ones.
Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 19th August 18:58
Right, not all polybushes are equal. It's like saying coilovers are st when your experience of them is a set of 500 cheapos.
Polybushes needn't be any harsher than rubber bushes. It's all down to the shore rating and the design. When looking for them I'd look at Aussie brands as they started there and they are way ahead in terms of design and materials technology. Have a look at superpro for example.
I've seen engine mounts for example that have almost the same shore rating as the original rubber bushes, right through to some that are so hard that you may as well rigidly mount the engine.
The mistake people make is they buy a set of race bushes and then wonder why the ride is so harsh. Each bush location also has a greater of lesser effect on ride comfort.
t when your experience of them is a set of 500 cheapos.Polybushes needn't be any harsher than rubber bushes. It's all down to the shore rating and the design. When looking for them I'd look at Aussie brands as they started there and they are way ahead in terms of design and materials technology. Have a look at superpro for example.
I've seen engine mounts for example that have almost the same shore rating as the original rubber bushes, right through to some that are so hard that you may as well rigidly mount the engine.
The mistake people make is they buy a set of race bushes and then wonder why the ride is so harsh. Each bush location also has a greater of lesser effect on ride comfort.
rhinochopig said:
Polybushes needn't be any harsher than rubber bushes. It's all down to the shore rating and the design. When looking for them I'd look at Aussie brands as they started there and they are way ahead in terms of design and materials technology. Have a look at superpro for example.
Well there you go, those are what I had on both my Charades. No one else did a complete kit for the GTti.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff