Upper Control Arm Bushings

[1970Moparmann]

I'm really surprised but my rubber PST bushings only lasted 4,000 miles.  Since I would like to do some mild road racing, should I go with poly?   Opinions wanted....

Thanks.

[cdr]

if the upper arm bolts were tightened with the car up in the air it will tear the bushing & it wont last very long. 

[Mike DC]

 
Only 4000 miles?  Something is wrong there. 

Maybe it's the install or maybe it's the parts, but it's something. 

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Only 4000 miles, that sucks! How is your alignment? Maybe something is off causing it to wear down quicker? 

I'd go with polyurethane since you have to replace them. All of my poly bushings have about 5000 miles and they still look good. The only spot I have had bad experiences with poly is the lower control arm but that was my fault cause I torqued it down with the car in the air.

[1970Moparmann]

I will probably go with the Poly's.  I didn't do the original suspension work, so not sure if it was torqued down in the air or not. 

Thanks guys!

[375instroke]

Why would torquing in the air matter with poly?  Don't they slide like a bearing unlike the rubber ones that twist?

[375instroke]

I've seen bushing material rated from best to worst like this:
1. Delrin
2. Rubber
3. Sand
4. Polyurethane

[WHITE AND RED 69]

I've seen bushing material rated from best to worst like this:
1. Delrin
2. Rubber
3. Sand
4. Polyurethane

Sounds like you got that info from a reputable source. Too bad nobody makes Delrin suspension bushings for Mopars.

[375instroke]

Too bad nobody makes Delrin suspension bushings for Mopars.

Nobody?
http://www.paeco.com/Delrin%20Bushings.htm

[myk]

Lol, what's wrong with 'poly bushings? 

[68CoronetRT]

Delrin is definitely the move. In Off-Road racing, its all about Delrin. We have to custom build each piece for our truck on a lathe. It's alot of work but well worth it.

[fy469rtse]

moparman ,
have a look at repco in Australia, aftermarket suspension co over here, they make offset and standard bushes for our Valiant's , fit b body also,
the reason for the offset bush is for more camber caster adjustment. 

[bull]

Lol, what's wrong with 'poly bushings? 

Squeaky, squeak, squeak, that's what.

[myk]

Well that Delrin stuff sounds too expensive.  As long as the 'polys do a good job of beefing up my suspension, the squeaking they make can join the orchestra of strange noises that the car's already making...

[WHITE AND RED 69]

Too bad nobody makes Delrin suspension bushings for Mopars.

Nobody?
http://www.paeco.com/Delrin%20Bushings.htm

Ok, you got me there. But no one mass produces them, hopefully in the future someone will make full kits.

Delrin sounds great but that's way too expensive to have each bushing custom made. You could buy a new set of tubular control arms with bushings installed for the cost to have delrin bushings made for your used control arms.

Lol, what's wrong with 'poly bushings?  

Squeaky, squeak, squeak, that's what.

I have been using poly bushings for the last 3 years and have yet to hear them make any noise.  And if they do start, all of them have grease fittings so it's an easy fix.

If you do hear any noises, just means your engine isn't loud enough.  

[myk]

Well said, my friend!

[bull]

Squeaky, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak..................

[myk]

Lol.  I raise guinea pigs, so maybe the Charger will have someone to talk to when I'm at work...

[bull]

 

[375instroke]

I really don't know what's better.  We have poly lower control arm bushings on our Mustang endurance road race car, and they seem ok for now, and we beat the hell out of that car as far as turns and braking goes.

Poly LCA bushings reuse the old sleeves from the rubber bushings.  Could it be so difficult to make these or other bushings from raw stock?  I see a few people cut poly strut rod bushings to fit better.  I've relocated the crossmember 5/8" forward, moved the lower control arms, which are 3/4" longer than stock, up 3/4", and moved the steering rack back 1/4" and up.  All this to fix deficiencies in the original design.  I don't know if B-bodies have any problems, but I think Hotchkis thinks so.  They relocate one of the upper control arm pivot points.  If the geometry moves the wheels in the wrong direction, what is a stiffer bushing going to help?