Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

87chevy.com · 04-12-2011, 11:22 PM

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

**N2TRUX** · 04-12-2011, 11:32 PM

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.

54Caddy · 04-12-2011, 11:44 PM

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

bluex · 04-13-2011, 01:24 AM

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....

Tx Firefighter · 04-13-2011, 11:58 AM

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.

87chevy.com · 04-13-2011, 07:33 PM

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

87chevy.com · 04-13-2011, 07:38 PM

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

YouTube - Squeaking poly bushings

eww.
clint

smashingchuck · 04-13-2011, 08:05 PM

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

Pop's C-10 · 04-13-2011, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87chevy.com

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

eww.
clint

That's tha way my camaro sounds..lol

54Caddy · 04-14-2011, 12:09 AM

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

*stich626* · 04-14-2011, 08:14 AM

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

04-12-2011, 11:22 PM	#1
87chevy.com BMW & ASE Master Certified Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,266	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 __________________ 1987 Silverado - L83 5.3 w/ 6L80e ,A/C,P/W,P/L,TILT, HID projectors, Wilwood C-10 Pro Spindles w/ 2018 silverado front brakes & C-5 Corvette Rear Disc Brakes 1999 BMW 528i - 5.7 LS1 w/ 4l60e, Ford 8.8 IRS w31 spline posi & FX-r projector retrofit New project: 2006 BMW x5 6cyl AWD to L83 6l80e 4wd to 2WD / RWD A poor man buy's it twice finally got my domain name back, 87chevy.com.... site rework in progress

04-12-2011, 11:32 PM	#2
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	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. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

04-12-2011, 11:44 PM	#3
54Caddy GM Addicted Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 2,295	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 __________________ ..Mac’s Garage.. 73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic 2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s IG:MacsGarage

04-13-2011, 01:24 AM	#4
bluex Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Spartanburg, SC Posts: 1,963	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.... __________________ Paul '78 GMC Serria 15 Heavy Half. 361/NV3500/3.73. Former LWB NV3500 swap Trailing arm swap '98 ECSB Z71 daily driver -traded '03 burb. Family cruiser http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Last edited by bluex; 04-13-2011 at 01:25 AM.

04-13-2011, 11:58 AM	#5
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	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. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-13-2011, 07:33 PM	#6
87chevy.com BMW & ASE Master Certified Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 1,266	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 __________________ 1987 Silverado - L83 5.3 w/ 6L80e ,A/C,P/W,P/L,TILT, HID projectors, Wilwood C-10 Pro Spindles w/ 2018 silverado front brakes & C-5 Corvette Rear Disc Brakes 1999 BMW 528i - 5.7 LS1 w/ 4l60e, Ford 8.8 IRS w31 spline posi & FX-r projector retrofit New project: 2006 BMW x5 6cyl AWD to L83 6l80e 4wd to 2WD / RWD A poor man buy's it twice finally got my domain name back, 87chevy.com.... site rework in progress

04-13-2011, 08:05 PM	#8
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: Polyurethane Control Arm Busings... better or worse than OE type everything I ever had them on.... squeek squeek squeek __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

04-14-2011, 12:09 AM	#10
54Caddy GM Addicted Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Visalia, Ca Posts: 2,295	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 __________________ ..Mac’s Garage.. 73 GMC, 54 Caddy, 2010 Silverado, 68 C10 RIP DAd My 73 GMC Truck Build Pic 2010 Silverado 4/6 on 24s IG:MacsGarage

04-14-2011, 08:14 AM	#11
stich626 Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: hingham ma Posts: 1,721	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 Last edited by stich626; 04-14-2011 at 08:14 AM.



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