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Poly vs rubber

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Old 04-03-2020, 12:00 AM
  #21  
akdale
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FWIW, I put poly in for CA bushings, trans mount, trailing arm bushings, sway bar mounts. No squeak, rides wonderful on our lousy Alaskan roads, handles like a slot car but thats likely due to other stuff i did as well. I have no complaints. However, prior to Poly even with semi worn rubber bushings the car handled ok. It's when the trailing arm bushings went is when the car was a mess to drive. Rubber works fine. Poly work fine. Just use a quality product like others have said. Just freshening up the suspension is going to make you happy, you will not regret doing either if you use good products IMHO.
Old 04-14-2020, 12:31 AM
  #22  
CanadaGrant
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I am thinking about using Energy Suspension poly bushings on the 2 rear trailing arm pivot mounts. I understand these can be installed without removing the trailing arms completely as they are not pressed in and staked with a tool. Is this true and are the poly bushings the same width as the stock ones or are more (or less) shims just used?
Old 04-14-2020, 10:09 AM
  #23  
Big2Bird
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
I am thinking about using Energy Suspension poly bushings on the 2 rear trailing arm pivot mounts. I understand these can be installed without removing the trailing arms completely as they are not pressed in and staked with a tool. Is this true and are the poly bushings the same width as the stock ones or are more (or less) shims just used?
Yes, it can be done. However, it is my experience that this is one place the poly bushings do more harm than good. Not enough compliance for the motion they endure.
Johnny joints are the answer here.
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CanadaGrant (04-14-2020)
Old 04-14-2020, 01:03 PM
  #24  
Greg
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Just an FYI, this thread came up on the C2 board last week:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...e-bushing.html

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CanadaGrant (04-14-2020)
Old 04-14-2020, 05:13 PM
  #25  
CanadaGrant
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Thanks guys. I had heard some sellers were pawning off inferior "poly" bushings that were known to fail but figured Energy Suspension would know what they have or would have quit producing it but who knows... Some guys swear by the stuff but maybe rear control arms isn't the place for it.
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interpon (04-14-2020)
Old 04-14-2020, 06:19 PM
  #26  
interpon
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
Thanks guys. I had heard some sellers were pawning off inferior "poly" bushings that were known to fail but figured Energy Suspension would know what they have or would have quit producing it but who knows... Some guys swear by the stuff but maybe rear control arms isn't the place for it.
i agree..would be nice to know definitely if usa made extruded quality vs a lot of known crap..personnally at this point id probably go rubber at this moment for ta only

Last edited by interpon; 04-14-2020 at 06:20 PM.
Old 04-14-2020, 11:02 PM
  #27  
Bikespace
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Originally Posted by interpon
i agree..would be nice to know definitely if usa made extruded quality vs a lot of known crap..personnally at this point id probably go rubber at this moment for ta only
I had Bairs put rubber trailing arm bushings in when they rebuilt my arms. They are the only rubber bushings left in my car. I've been happy with Energy Suspension poly bushings everywhere else (and heim-jointed strut rods, steel engine mounts, etc).



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