I read in another forum that poly doesnt flex as well as rubber bushings? Im replacing rear leaf and shackle bushings?

what are your opinions?

poly or rubber

 

I use Poly penetrated with Graphite in my GTO and Monte SS suspensions to stiffen them up and improve handling with a guard against suspension bind which may happen. I don't think they would be a wise idea in a 4x4 suspension if you seek maximum travel though.

 

IMO, I just can't tell any difference. So the only advantage as far as I'm concerened is poly are easy to change & they both last just about the same although poly is harder. Over the years I've used either. Now when it comes to cab mount bushings I won't use anything but poly.

 

I have switched almost all bushings to poly... It has a better feel to it; best described as less mush. Steers straighter as well. Some people have said its a more ridgid feel; I dont think this is the best way to describe it... Its more truck like perhaps. If you want to glide across the road with a certain amount of ignorant bliss as if you were in a Crown Vic than stick with rubber. If you like knowing what your driving on while maintain a certain posture than poly.

I think my response is more philosophical than technical but accurate and fair non-the-less... Just dont let anyone tell you one is better than the other in terms of ride quality; they are just different. For longevity I think poly gets the nod.

 

im not worried about ride quality i already know its gonna ride like a lumber wagon, just concered about which one is going to articulate the shackles better?

 

Go with poly... Easier to deal with, lasts longer, and won't flex (squish) as much forcing the springs to do their job. This is what all the hardcore offroaders do and its working for them.

 

I would recommend poly stronger and hold up better over time! For instance when I replaced my radius Arm bushings with rubber i found myself doing the same job almost a year later due to all the cracks and wear in rubber. Save yourself the headache of doing the job twice and do it right the first time with poly! Over a year and a half with poly and still rocking strong!

 

+ 1 For Poly

 

Often aftermarket rubber is inferior to Oem so replacement bushings won't last as long as original.

 

+ for poly i have done all my trucks feels better,lasts longer,easy install would not use any thing else