Hey guys,
my car is at the DMC shop and waiting on a shipment of poly bushings which will probably delay the completion of repairs 2 or maybe 3 weeks. Worth it or just go with rubber? Thanks
Posts: 293
Hey guys,
my car is at the DMC shop and waiting on a shipment of poly bushings which will probably delay the completion of repairs 2 or maybe 3 weeks. Worth it or just go with rubber? Thanks
81' gas flap. Sept build. 14k miles. Mostly original. Updating things...
many people swear by Polly on the sway bar. I myself have and am going to be running Toby from Northwests polly sway bar bushings. I say wait
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Posts: 293
Posts: 33
"Better" is a relative term. The important metric for a bushing is the durometer - how hard is it when you try to change its shape. Just saying poly bushing isn't enough. There are hard polymers, there are softer ones. How do they compare to the original rubber bushing in terms of durometer?
Most times, poly bushings are harder. This means they will not compress as much as a rubber bushing given the same load. In a suspension, this means a couple of things. First, a lot more road noise and vibration will be transmitted to the cabin and steering wheel. Rubber bushings tend to dampen that harshness out, poly bushings don't. Second, the steering will be somewhat more responsive, as there is less compliance in the suspension. This may or may not be good, as a more responsive car reacts to changes quicker - it will turn in quicker, which means load transfer from front to rear and side to side will be quicker. This is important to understand with a rear engine layout like the DeLorean - there will be a greater tendency to oversteer.
Just doing the ARB won't change things too much compared to replacing your old bushings with new rubber ones. A lot of times people confuse the change by comparing new poly bushings to old rubber ones. The real comparison is new to new. That sais, going to a fresh set of tires will probably improve handling more than just going with poly bushings on the ARB.
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Mike
Location: Taylors SC
Posts: 5,326
My VIN: (former)05429
Club(s): (DMWC) (DCUK)
My personal preference is poly bushings on the sway bar clamp and ends ONLY, not on the control arms (need to have some "give" there). My recommendation is the kit from Toby at DeLorean Northwest.
Dave S
DMC Midwest - retired but helping
Greenville SC
One good thing with poly over the OEM rubber on the control arms is there is no need to "center" the bushing. That requires torquing the bolts with correct weight on the wheels.
Dave M vin 03572
http://dm-eng.weebly.com/
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,583
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
Dave S is correct, some bushings have to move in more than one plane, in those applications you really do need the compliancy of rubber to allow for that. In places where the movement is purely in 1 plane, Poly can be a good choice. When installing poly bushings you should use silicone grease. I have seen where the poly kind of bonds itself to the parts and doesn't allow easy movement. The brackets where the ARB attaches to the frame can be poly. Where the ARB attaches to the LCA should be rubber to allow for easy movement in an arc. By stiffening up the suspension with poly bushings you can expect more vibration and "road feel" transmitted into the frame and steering gear. Some people, not expecting that, are disappointed with poly.
David Teitelbaum
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 2,405
My VIN: 01049
As someone who has owned numerous sports cars and has spent A LOT of time modifying them, I can tell you that unless you drive your car real hard (harder than you should be on the street), or take it autocrossing or to a circuit, poly bushings are not worth it.
Under normal driving conditions you will find zero benefit from them, but you will sure as heck still experience the negatives. Harshness, etc, as described by the guru in the previous post.
-Mike
My engine twists my frame.
1981 DeLorean, Carb LS4 swap completed
1999 Corvette, cam/headers/intake manifold, 400 rwhp
2005 Elise, stock
2016 Chevy Cruze
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,583
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
If you have ever watched the front wheel of the Delorean move under heavy braking you will appreciate the poly bushing. That ARB, aka sway bar, does "double duty". It also maintains the front wheels in the correct fore-and-aft position and transmits the braking forces into the frame. The rubber allows the wheels to move a considerable amount. The poly will hold the wheels much better.
David Teitelbaum
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 2,405
My VIN: 01049
Nope, never seen that. I don't even own a DeLorean.
-Mike
My engine twists my frame.
1981 DeLorean, Carb LS4 swap completed
1999 Corvette, cam/headers/intake manifold, 400 rwhp
2005 Elise, stock
2016 Chevy Cruze