Replacement Bushings - Rubber or Polyurethane

[WahooSteeler]

Need to replace the tired worn out bushings on the front end components soon. Opinions on rubber vs polyurethane? Seems like polyurethane would make rough roads, potholes, railroad track crossings etc that much jarring. 

[dvitha]

Here at the shop we like to rubber if possible. polyurethane is much stiffer but has longer life between changes. However I always recommend rubber bushings my self in the shop for anything driving on the road.

[Pete M]

my only experience with poly is the C-bushings on my ford 44 and they were sooooo stiff   

[Pete M]

if you're talking about the control arms, now is a good time to contemplate WJ arms.   

[WahooSteeler]

Pete, I put WJ lower arms on earlier this summer, huge difference, still have uppers to put on. I'm talking about any other bushings on the front end involving steering or suspension. 

[HOrnbrod]

I use poly bushings for the front and rear sway bars; seems to stiffen them up a bit. But everything else is rubber.

[johnj92131]

Someone correct me if I am wrong. But doesn't the term "durometer" describe the harshness or softness of any bushing?

 

So a .75 rating should be the same across different bushing materials? 

 

True or not?  A .75 urathane bushing should be no more or less harsh than a .75 rubber bushing?

[Gjeep]

I like polygraphite as it doesn't squeak and you can opt to buy greasable. Any Energy bushings that are black are polygraphite.

I've been running them on my '01 XJ since new front and rear sway bars and not a squeak.

 

[HOrnbrod]

43 minutes ago, johnj92131 said:

Someone correct me if I am wrong. But doesn't the term "durometer" describe the harshness or softness of any bushing?

 

So a .75 rating should be the same across different bushing materials? 

 

True or not?  A .75 urathane bushing should be no more or less harsh than a .75 rubber bushing?

 

I don't know squat about durometers John, but THIS is an excellent article detailing the characteristics of suspension bushings.

 

You ever try the poly Brown Dog motor mounts? Never again - vibration maximus.