MG Sports Cars

engine swaps and other performance upgrades, plus "factory" and Costello V8s

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pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: October 10, 2012 08:57AM

I have a complete set, both front and rear, of polyurethane suspension bushings that I haven’t installed yet. Realizing my rubber bushings are 41 years old, do they make a noticeable difference?


Paul


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: October 10, 2012 09:10AM

I would suspect the new bushing would make a NOTICIBLE difference over the old ones. I have complete Poly bushings incl the X-Member pads. Your car will feel like a complete different car with the minor "slop" each old bushing imparts. The sum total will make you wonder why you haven't done it sooner. SAFETY FASTER!


Moderator
Curtis Jacobson
Portland Oregon
(4577 posts)

Registered:
10/12/2007 02:16AM

Main British Car:
71 MGBGT, Buick 215

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: Moderator
Date: October 10, 2012 10:09AM

So are you deciding whether to install these parts or to discard them?

New bushings were a significant improvement on my car.

I think most people can feel a difference between rubber and poly.

Poly might be a little harsh for some people's taste.
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MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: October 10, 2012 08:09PM

Quote:
Poly might be a little harsh for some people's taste.

That is why it is available in different grades of hardness.


BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 11, 2012 08:49AM

Yes but keep in mind that it is an artificial molecule and can be imperfect. I have seen some soft samples of raw polyurethane stock material deteriorate over time, either getting harder, discoloring, or turning to goo. With enough stabilizers it will easily outlast rubber most of the time but it is not perfect.

Jim


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: October 11, 2012 09:20AM

Thanks guys. I plan to install them because the old ones are the OLD ones and I don’t really want to buy something I already have. I just didn’t want to expect something from them that wasn’t realistic. I drove a T-Bucket for five years so a harsh ride is part of the fun.



Paul


denvermgb
Brad Carson
Aurora, Colorado
(104 posts)

Registered:
03/10/2008 12:45AM

Main British Car:
1975 MGB 350 SBC bored 0.040 over

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: denvermgb
Date: October 11, 2012 11:06AM

Paul,

Even prior to installing the new ones, remove the old rubber bushings and do a side-by-side comparison with the new ones. You should see how worn the old ones are.

Brad



roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings, suspension section ?
Posted by: roverman
Date: October 11, 2012 11:19AM

As a "wear" surface, how do you stop them from squeaking ? Compressed rubber bushings, in "torsion", do not succumb to slide wear, unless they are really far gone. I'm not convinced "heims" are long term enough, for street cars. Onward, roverman.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/11/2012 11:20AM by roverman.


Jim Stabe
Jim Stabe
San Diego, Ca
(829 posts)

Registered:
02/28/2009 10:01AM

Main British Car:
1966 MGB Roadster 350 LT1 Chevy

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: Jim Stabe
Date: October 11, 2012 04:08PM

Break out your Dremel tool with a small round burr and cut a couple circumferential grooves in the I.D. toward the ends and connect them with 3 or 4 longitudinal grooves. When the bushings are installed in the arms, drill a hole from the outside that connects with one of the grooves then tap the hole for a grease fitting.


socorob
Robbie
La
(173 posts)

Registered:
09/17/2009 04:42PM

Main British Car:
1963 Sunbeam Alpine Series 2 Ford 2.8 V6

Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: socorob
Date: October 11, 2012 08:20PM

Use moly (grease) on poly. Put a grease fitting if possible and a light layer all o er the outside when you install them. I have one just starting to squeak after a year and a half or so.


WernerVC
Werner Van Clapdurp
Lynchburg, Va
(108 posts)

Registered:
09/06/2009 12:56PM

Main British Car:
MGB 1977 Rover 3.5

Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: WernerVC
Date: October 11, 2012 09:03PM

Do these poly bushings come with a stainless sleeve on the inner diameter ?
I bought a set of poly bushings and they have the SS bushing on the inside. When I slide these bushings over the axle there is still some play between the A arm and the axle. Is this normal ?
Just new to install these "upgrade" bushings.
Werner
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BlownMGB-V8
Jim Blackwood
9406 Gunpowder Rd., Florence, KY 41042
(6470 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 12:59PM

Main British Car:
1971 MGB Blown,Injected,Intercooled Buick 340/AA80E/JagIRS

authors avatar
Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: BlownMGB-V8
Date: October 12, 2012 09:20AM

I had tried delrin bushes back in the late 70's but didn't like them too well. Very squeaky. Considered urethane but went with the V8 rubber bushings instead. That turned out to be a very good choice and they have held up well.

Jim


MGBV8
Carl Floyd
Kingsport, TN
(4514 posts)

Registered:
10/23/2007 11:32PM

Main British Car:
1979 MGB Buick 215

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: MGBV8
Date: October 13, 2012 09:22AM

Gotta use the correct grease (or not):

[www.polybushings.com]

[forums.corvetteforum.com]

[www.bobistheoilguy.com]

Teflon tape trick:
[syclone.motocrew.com]

Other options include:

Energy Suspension Formula 5
Waterproof Green Grease
Valvoline Synthetic Grease
Mobil 1 chassis grease
Marine-waterproof lithium grease
White lithium grease
Anti-Seize Lubricant
Slick 50 grease
Slick 50 spray lube
Silicone spray


pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: October 15, 2012 12:20AM

Though I sold my T-Bucket, I still hang around with the group and we got together this past Saturday to wire a bucket. I was talking to a couple of guys who put polyurethane bushings on old Mustangs and they were unhappy with it saying they were noisy. I was about to make the decision to send them back and reorder rubber but I think you guys are saying if I go about it with the correct grease and maybe the Teflon tape, it might not be so bad after all. Thank you for all the info and advice and thanks for the links Carl.


Paul


302GT
Larry Shimp

(241 posts)

Registered:
11/17/2007 01:13PM

Main British Car:
1968 MGB GT Ford 302 crate engine

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Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: 302GT
Date: October 15, 2012 04:58PM

I bought the Poly Pro urethane bushings from Australia. They are stiffer than rubber but not as stiff as the usual bushings, and I have never had them squeek (some have been in over 8 years and 40,000 miles). Unfortunately, they are expensive and are only available from MOSS UK.



pspeaks
Paul Speaks
Dallas, Texas
(698 posts)

Registered:
07/20/2009 06:40PM

Main British Car:
1972 MGB-GT 1979 Ford 302

authors avatar
Re: Polyurethane Suspension Bushings
Posted by: pspeaks
Date: October 15, 2012 07:41PM

I have the California Moss bushings.



Paul



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/15/2012 07:42PM by pspeaks.


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