Suspension Polybushes

[greymrj]

Before anybody jumps on me quite reasonably!) for not heeding my own advice re not starting new threads when we could add to old ones on the same subject; I couldn't find a discussion on the MERITS of poly against rubber on the S forum. I did however find some interesting and conflicting ones on Chimaera. These are the threads I did find (I am sure there must be others):

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=124...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=120...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=108...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=947...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=918...

So what do I want to know?

My S1 has rubber bushes all round. The rears were replaced, with rubber, when the radius arms were done. The car has all new GAZ classic spring/damper units. 'She' is going off the road and into my garage over winter (wow, 'she' will be surprised at that comfort!) for a number of improvements.
'She' gets spirited road use, all weathers, but not used on the track.

Should I stay with rubber or go poly?

[mep12345]

I have poly on the front and rubber on the rear, the rubber were only fitted because the poly where not available when I changed those. IMHO the poly are better for a firmer feel to the car but the rubber will be more forgiving. They cost roughly the same and I am not sure of the longevity comparison between the two. Therefore IMHO you take your choice between firmer feel or softer ride )and remember it is all comparative in an S series!!)

[phillpot]

The old "placebo effect"....I've spent all weekend fitting these, of course the ride is far better

New poly bushes may feel better than the (20+ year)old rubber bushes but new for new I suspect few of us driving normal cars at normal speeds on normal roads could tell the difference

Poly generally more readily available and far easier for the home mechanic to fit (all imho).

[glenrobbo]

Hi Richard,
This is my third attempt to answer your query, but due to the vagaries of
my phone, everything i've laboriously typed suddenly disappears into the ether without trace.

In what condition are your existing bushes? If they are ok, leave them.
If they are distorted, cracked, perished & tatty, replace them with poly ones.

I replaced mine at the same time as the Gaz coilovers, and the placebo effect was amazing, although I can't quantify how much is due to the bushes, & how much due to the springs & shocks.
All I know is the car feels Soooo much better, it instils a lot more confidence knowing how the car will react, as opposed to me reacting to what the car does.
I read up on the benefits of poly bushes, and decided to use them as they seemed the better option.
I certainly have no complaints.
If you do decide to fit them, don't forget the front ARB bushes while you're at it.

All the best,
Glen

Edit: If only I could obtain that level of control over this phone, I would have more time to devote to S style matters
Maybe not...... too controversial!

Edited by glenrobbo on Friday 4th October 11:03

[greymrj]

Does anybody happen to know the exact dimensions of these bushes? I am just going to check if they are common to any other applications. I thought I had seen the dimensions quoted somewhere but I can't find it.

[phillpot]

Only got some spare bottom ones to measure....

Stainless tube is nominal 0.5" ID (to take .05" bolt). OD is 16mm x length 45mm

Bushes are 26mm od (32mm at flange) x 21mm long total, thinner bit is 16mm long.

Good luck with trying to find an alternative but with Superflex and powerflex virtually having the market "sewn up", there is Polybush(nothing mentioned about S series), I doubt you'll find anything, even listed for other makes, substantially cheaper?

I bought Superflex from Motor Sport World a little cheaper than direct from Superflex!

P.S. if you think wishbone bushes a tad pricey try diff mounts...

[Barry S1]

I payed about £150 for them still in shock

[Barry S1]

I payed about £150 for them still in shock