To poly, or not to poly

[Chargerjase]

I have been talking with James from PST about what would be better in my car, rubber or poly suspension? He said basically that poly is for a firmer feel more performance like suspension, whereas the rubber is softer and more forgiving. I have heard that poly squeaks from members on this forum, but generally it cannot be heard over the engine.
My 73 Charger 400-2 is purely a street vehicle and will never see a race track. It would be great to hear from guys that have redone their suspensions with either rubber or poly or a combination of the two and maybe give me the benefit of their wisdom. Also, any professional suspension guys reading this, please chip in.


Many Thanks
Jason

[Ghoste]

I think a combination, poly for things like strut rod bushings and sway bars with rubber for control arms.

[Chargerjase]

Thanks for that

[b5blue]

100% Moog rubber here and the car rides sweet.  (I like to go fast but no racing/track.)

[Ghoste]

And poly may not be the best for 45 year old components as far as preventing metal fatigue.

[twodko]

Def Moog rubber. 

[Mike DC]

 
I vote for a combo.  Rubber in the control arms & front leaf spring eyes.  Poly in the swaybars and rear leaf spring shackles. 

And with a '73, make sure the big rubber K-frame bushings & axle isolation mounts are also good. 

   

[Chargerjase]

Great info, thanks fellas. Yes my k member isolators are also looking a bit tired. I was thinking of putting poly in there as well, but might look at rubber. Maybe a combo as Mike DC and Ghost suggested would be the best way to go.
I only want to do it once so I want to make sure I do it right.
I have another question;
If I went for all rubber components, could I still get better handling from just installing decent shocks?

[dangina]

Great info, thanks fellas. Yes my k member isolators are also looking a bit tired. I was thinking of putting poly in there as well, but might look at rubber. Maybe a combo as Mike DC and Ghost suggested would be the best way to go.
I only want to do it once so I want to make sure I do it right.
I have another question;
If I went for all rubber components, could I still get better handling from just installing decent shocks?

yes but how much better is all up to you and your wallet, remember your suspension works as a system, if your sticking with stock torsion bars, sways and leaf springs get the bilsteins. If you upgrade the bars or leafs you'll need better valving ie better shocks like the fox racing, or QA1 ect. Question is, how far do you wanna go?