Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

Ive been wanting to rebuild the control arms... havent bought anything, but I was going to get MOOG brand stuff because its name brand and supposedly good quality. It would be like 140 ish to do all of the control arms... but Summitracing has an Engergy Suspension front control arm kit w/shells for 60 bucks:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-3-3161G/?rtype=10

I know a lot of people here have used something like it, but I dont know anyone who has...
Do you like them?
Could you tell a difference? or just needed to be replaced?
Have you had to replace them due to worn out..if so how long did they last?

Basically I dont want to buy something thats not going to last... ive read they are a pain to do, but Ive got the prep covered.

thanks fellas,
clint

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

Clint, here's what I know. Unless I were building a chassis strictly for performance, I would not use polyurethane. It is very firm, and is known to cause harshness due to its inability to deflect. To compound all of this, it is inherently prone to squeak. I know they make grease specifically to prevent the polyurethane squeak, but its a bandaid at best.

What I have used and was very pleased with are poly-graphite bushings. The graphite impregnated compound of poly-graphite gives you most of the firmness of polyurethane, but minimizes the harshness. Because it is self lubricating, the bushing deflect more readily, and have do not squeak.

If it were me, I would check the forum vendors to see who can supply you with a poly-graphite rebuild kit. I think you will be very pleased.

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

I have poly on my truck. I like the way it feels. Have poly cab mounts, radiator support mounts, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, tie rod end dust boots, motor mount, trans mount, and rear leaf spring and shackle bushigs. Real nice man have no complaints have put about 25,000 miles on them on bumpy rought roads and no problems at all. Oh yea and all my shocks have poly also

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

If you get the black bushings from energy suspension, they are ploy-graphite as well. The red ones are just poly and will eventually squeak....

Also check amazon, thats where I got my control arm set. If I remember right it was less than $40....

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

Last truck I built I went with Energy Suspension poly bushings from Summit because they were a lot cheaper than Moog rubber stuff.

They squeaked. I even bought the super giganto sized tub-o-lube from Energy Suspension and slathered it on like cake icing. Still squeak.

Never again.

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

yeah they are definatly cheaper than moog, but my 87 is squeek and rattle free.. i dont want to bring an annoyingn squeeak into the mix.... i like the solitude. guess i'll do the moog.
clint

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

ha, found the video that just killed the though tof putting the energy suspension bushings on my truck..

eww.
clint

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

everything I ever had them on.... squeek squeek squeek

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

That's tha way my camaro sounds..lol

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

i dont understand why mine dont squeak then. Mine are energy suspension and not one issue at all

Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type
 

I wish global west would make their delalum alum bushings for these trucks
you have to keep them greased but man.. it helps make cars run on rails