Question: Poly Bushings

[Marv02]

I want to rebushing the whole car here soon which Poly Bushing Kit should I get.
Some say the car will supension will start making noise after installing Poly bushing some say just grease them good.
Do I get the Bushings from PST that have
Graphite made in to them.
As long as I have it torn down Is better to go with some after market rear trailing arms.

 

[WhalePirot]

I love the tautness of my car, which had all poly (Energy) and Heim joints on the rear, which have been in place for about 15 years. A stock Vette seems loose to me.

Part of my regular maintenance includes the poly in the sway bar mounts, meaning cleaning and greasing (special red grease that came with the kit). For my front control arms, I drilled and installed zerk fittings which gave me some concerns for the strength of same. So far, so good, though I am not assured the grease travels evenly over all of them. I do notice better handling after this service, so I deem it required maintenance.

On a street car, were I to do this today, I'd not choose Heims. They're expensive and wear from all the grit, plus I don't need the adjustibility.

Other can comment on the graphite-impregnated poly or the choice of replacing with new rubber.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I want to rebushing the whole car here soon which Poly Bushing Kit should I get.
Some say the car will supension will start making noise after installing Poly bushing some say just grease them good.
Do I get the Bushings from PST that have
Graphite made in to them.
As long as I have it torn down Is better to go with some after market rear trailing arms.

Cheap polyurethane parts and/or those which are not graphite-impregnated will make noise, especially in cold, damp weather.

Do not use poly bushings in the arms or strut rods of a C4. Those suspension parts have to rotate as well as move up and down. Poly bushings prevent the rotation and will bind the suspension as it gets close to compression or rebound.

Use poly for the front suspension bushings, stabilizer bar mounts and stabilizer bar links.

When you switch to poly, expect a modest increase in noise and harshness. Handling performance will improve somewhat right at the car's limit.

 

[93Rubie]

I was considering poly for in the future, which brings up a question. What is the life expectancy for rubber bushing? Mine (mostly) appear in good enough shape.