Suspension questions incl. PST polygraphite bushings. Anyone using these?

[Dino]

I looked at the suspension yesterday and I honestly have no clue to tell if it's worn or not.  What's a good way to find out?

If I need to replace parts I think I'll go with the PST front end kit with rubber bushings because I don't want harsh and squeeky bushings and need to pass about 1500 potholes every day. 

Now the polygraphite bushing are supposed to be better and don't squeek, can anyone confirm this?

If I stick with rubber bushings should I bite the bullet and get the super front end kit or is it overkill?  Can I just as well buy individual parts at Rockauto or is this not recommended?

[cdr]

i went all moog,offset upper bushings,rubber lower & their problem solver radius bushings,& ball joints,all with a giant 1 3/8 sway bar 

[Dino]

i went all moog,offset upper bushings,rubber lower & their problem solver radius bushings,& ball joints,all with a giant 1 3/8 sway bar 

Problem solver bushings?  That sounds interesting!  Moog doesn't sell kits right?  Where did you get the parts?  Rockauto or local parts store?

[cdr]

yes at the local parts store,the upper bushings are offset so you can get more caster& the strut rod bushings are redesigned to have less flex but are still rubber.i like the idea of rubber so its not as hard on the k frame mounting points   

[HPP]

I've used PST polygraphite in most my builds and am happy with them. I haven't noticed any unusual squeaks with them, but you also have to make sure you use poly specific lube on them and not regular grease.

FWIW, I've had rubber that squeaked too. Well, squished may be more accurate, but it was as loud as squeaky poly, so rubber is not an end all be all either.

I do use the Moog offset uppers in place of poly on the upper arms specifically for more caster.

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

Ive had the PST bushings in my car for 15+ years with no trouble

[moparguy01]

I bought a pst kit. Never again. They sent me the wrong parts, a couple of times. The lower control bushing wasn't in a shell you had to reuse the old shell. The balljoints were crap, and I gave uP dealing with them and bought better stuff from napa. The only parts I kept from their kit was the upper control arm bushings and the bumpstops. The rest was overpriced crap.

[Ghoste]

I have a pst kit in my car and its been fine.

[Fred]

I use PST bushings in my car with no issues. No complaints.

[Dino]

I found a Moog kit but it's well over $400 and that's a bit much. 

How about this one?  Does this have all the parts recommended to replace?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rsd-rsk6669/overview/year/1969/make/dodge/model/charger

[cdr]

looks to be all there,except all the sway bar stuff.

[Dino]

looks to be all there,except all the sway bar stuff.

That's okay, my original sway abr and bushings were replaced with the beefier version.  I may go with that kit if it's rubber.  I understand that poly may be okay but I want the softest ride possible.

[Hard Charger]

The lower control bushing wasn't in a shell you had to reuse the old shell.

if you go with a poly LCA bushing they do not come with a shell, you must reuse the old one.

I have had no problem with bushings from PST.

also if you look at your old bushings and see dry rot and distortion it is time to replace them.

[twodko]

I sold my 2011 Silverado yesterday! Buying my disc brake convo now and I'm going the PST route. Researched quite a bit and PST seems best overall. I'll post up when it's finished and I'll be able to actually stop my car! What a concept.

[Dino]

I'm going to snap a few pics of the bushings and post them here for you to see.  If I need to replace them, is this something I can do in my garage without a press?  I do have one of those wedge fork thingies and I got a bfh!

[Ghoste]

I couldn't do mine without a press.

[Dino]

I couldn't do mine without a press.

That's what I thought.  I'll have to take the parts to a shop then.

[Hard Charger]

you can get a press ay Harbor freight for cheep money. there are also specialized tools but would add up to more money.

[Mike DC]

                   


If you are going with polyurethane, consider keeping the LCA/strut bushings rubber.  Metal fatigue issues in the LCA mounts and ride harshness.  And check the mounting tubes in the K-frame for the LCAs.  Sometimes they literally start tearing out of the walls of the K-frame on cars that have been run hard.  Going over the spot with some extra gusseting/welds never hurts.


Same with the front spring eye bushings in the rear suspension.  I would leave those rubber even if I was using poly or solid bushings at the shackles.  there is no metal fatigue issue in front spring mounts but it helps the ride smoothness for a pretty small loss of lateral stiffness.  Soft rubber bushings in the rear shackles are much more detrimental when trying to keep the rear end from moving around.    

[Dino]

Thanks for the info on the rear spring bushings.  I would like to lose that shimy when I take a hard turn, I know it's the leafs moving but didn't think to stick poly in there.

I'm going to email the right stuff and ask if the kit they sell is rubber or poly.  Will post back when I find out.

[Dino]

The Right Stuff kit comes with rubber bushings but put a 'U' behind the part number and you get them with poly.

Here's a few pics I snapped this morning.  I may start taking the front apart to work on the brakes but if these need replacing I better wait and do it all at once.

[Dino]

more

[preid]

Thanks for the info on the rear spring bushings.  I would like to lose that shimy when I take a hard turn, I know it's the leafs moving but didn't think to stick poly in there.

I'm going to email the right stuff and ask if the kit they sell is rubber or poly.  Will post back when I find out.

Hey Dirk,
I'm getting ready to do the same thing on my front end, curious, did you decide to go w/ the rubber on the fronts?  Can you elaborate on pros and cons regarding rubber vs poly?
thanks!

[Dino]

Thanks for the info on the rear spring bushings.  I would like to lose that shimy when I take a hard turn, I know it's the leafs moving but didn't think to stick poly in there.

I'm going to email the right stuff and ask if the kit they sell is rubber or poly.  Will post back when I find out.

Hey Dirk,
I'm getting ready to do the same thing on my front end, curious, did you decide to go w/ the rubber on the fronts?  Can you elaborate on pros and cons regarding rubber vs poly?
thanks!

Hi Paul,

I decided not to replace them just yet as they seem to be ok still.  Once everything else is installed, like the new shocks, it will also be more clear if I need them or not but I will be using rubber bushings eventually.  For my application, I need the softest ride possible so rubber will be very hard to beat.  If you need a more firm ride then I guess poly would be the better choice.  The cons of poly has always been the squeek, but as was mentioned they don't seem to do that anymore, not if you use the right grease.  And yes rubber can squeek as well.