Poly Vs Rubber

[DANRS112]

I'm wondering if there is a general consensus of which is better when replacing the sway bar bushings? While searching it seemed that the poly ones from ES were the most popular. However, it sounds like they wore out quickly.

Suggestions?

 

[Telco]

Poly gives a stiffer ride over rubber, but also transmits more noise. This makes poly ideal in racing vehicles and rubber ideal for street vehicles, for the most part. In the case of sway bar bushings, poly is going to be the way to go as there's not much road noise that comes through the sway bars but the stiffer material will help it to do its job better.

 

[Ranchero50]

Polyurethane comes in so many durometers and compounds it's hard to make a blanket statement about which is better.

If you think about the geometry involved, how many more degrees will a softer compound allow the car to rotate vs. a hard compound?

 

[DANRS112]

Poly gives a stiffer ride over rubber, but also transmits more noise. This makes poly ideal in racing vehicles and rubber ideal for street vehicles, for the most part. In the case of sway bar bushings, poly is going to be the way to go as there's not much road noise that comes through the sway bars but the stiffer material will help it to do its job better.

Appreciate the info. The ride is already pretty stiff. So i'm also curious about longevity. I don't want to have to do this again in the near future. Not that it is the only concern, performance is to. Since both factors are at play I'm curious what other's experiences here have been.

Also in re to Rancho:
Specifically I was wondering about the ES bushings. It'd be whatever compound they are. Since they're the only ones I'm really aware of and also the ones that most here could provide feedback on.

thanks,

 

[tireman]

black ones

i got the black greaseable ones, they work fine on my 01V6. Not really a difficult job on the V6.

 

[Ben's LS]

I have the black greaseable ones as well. Installed them over a year ago and they are starting to make noise again. Hopefully will be greasing them soon and it will fix the issue.

 

[msgtusmc]

Installed the MOOG type on both sides, alot bigger than OEM or other mfg's, like grease fittings, like the old cars came with! Got rubber caps for ZERT grease fittings to keep them clean. Now on my 90 inspection list to grease!

 

[Telco]

Sorry, can't say one or the other from personal experience. I normally use rubber ones as I'm not interested in the extra noise.

 

[jmtiseo]

I'd consider how long the original ones lasted. In my case, if I were to replace mine with a Ford/Lincoln part right now I would be more than happy if the new ones lasted another 120k miles.