Poly bushes vs standard

[Scar]

My Stag is at Ward's at the moment having its electric water pump conversion and a general once-over. One thing they've picked up is that the suspension bushes look to be factory original and are in something of a bad state.

I'm planning on getting them all replaced, hence the question of going poly vs standard. My dad's in the MGOC and says their opinion is that poly bushes tend to make for a noisier ride and they're not worth it unless you're going to be doing a lot of miles. Looking at Rimmer's it looks like they're over double the price, and I'm only expecting to do around 2,000 miles a year so I'm leaning towards standard.

[trunt]

I read somewhere (LD parts?) that wherever the suspension meets the body go rubber, everywhere else go Poly.. I have decided to take that in for the most part except on trailing arms.

[new to this]

I went poly because the quality of the rubber bushes they don't last

Dave

[mole42]

I do about 10,000 miles a year. Mine has poly except where the rear subframes meet the body and the front strut tops. The quality of new rubber parts these days is so poor that I'd be forever changing bushes. The ride is a little noisier but I can live with it.

Richard

[Lingen]

I would go for a poly bush that is not too hard. Some are available that are similar to rubber in hardness. My personal choice has been to fit them where the originals are "Metalastic" ie those with a metal tube bonded in, and stick with good rubber ones elsewhere if you want to keep the ride comfortable.
Mike

[bullstarz]

Rubber was used as it properties were were suitable for purpose required. Where as the Polyurethane used has been designed for its intended purpose.

"Its combination of high tensile strength and elasticity translates into immense durability in the toughest conditions. Polyurethane Bushes have excellent resilience, springing back in to shape effortlessly to absorb shock and prevent dirt ingress and wear. Lastly, it doesn't age or perish - rubber bushes both perish and are attacked by oils and fuels."

Yes they are more expensive but you possibly never have to replace them again. I replaced a few bushes with rubber ones 17 years ago, the part never got put on the car and has never been used. However, the rubber bushes are now shot. Yet the bushes that were replaced, with Superflex, that got put on the car are as good as the day i put them on.

[RobinLegin]

When I first acquired my Stag, I put into Southern Triumph Services for some underbody work and rust proofing. On their recommendation I had them change all the rubber bushes to polybush. The rubber ones were knackered, and whilst the ride is harder, it was not noticeably different. STS advised they will last longer than I am likely to!

[stag8manod]

I have recently rebuilt the whole rear end of my car. Strengthened the forward sub-frame arms, Fully poly-bushed, CV drive shafts and uprated bearings and hubs, 3/8 UNC 5/16 UNF studs, new prop shaft UJs, 3.45 diff ratio, new seals strengthened diff nose, new SKF Quill bearing and a rear track rod setup. With all these changes at once I can't tell which has made the best improvement but it is a little firmer and I'm happy with the result.
Cheers Ian A

[Neil in Deal]

Evenin' all, (WHO is brave enough to ADMIT to remembering Dixon of Dock Green?? !!)
Anyway.... some kind soul fitted my Stag with a full Superflex set of polybushes about 10 years ago.
I have the invoice for them somewhere, total cost was around the £200 mark. I'll bet it would be about double that figure now.
As my car is the only Stag I've driven I can't compare poly v rubber, but the car certainly isn't noisy or harsh over bumps, either in a straight line or encountered in a corner.
I think most owners use poly to prevent having to worry about rubber deteriorating with age.
One thing that polys need when fitting is to be lubricated with a smear of grease around outer and inner surfaces, otherwise they can "groan & greet" over bumps etc.
Stag tyres, being 70/80 ratio do help to keep the ride slightly more "supple" than most moderns....my 328i BMW runs on 45's, with the Sport suspension, but isn't unduly firm or harsh.
(Obviously BMW's suspension designers put some thought into things...)
My personal choice would be poly before rubber, at least there's no rubber to deteriorate over time...the less to worry about, the better...
Anyone else going to Deal Classic Car Show tomorrow?? See you there!
Neil.

[Guest]

I have poly bushes fitted except for the 2 large one on the rear subframe to body mounts. Make sure you get the voided diff mount bushes to avoid vibrations. I also have poly spring pads. All been on about 10 years and still good, the rubber ones would’ve lasted half that. Speaking of which I better check those rubber mounts.

[Kingswood90]

I had poly throughout the car when it was being restored by Wards. Rides fine, no nosier than before and better cornibging etc.
The rubber ones now have no ‘staying’power. Go the poly route, you won’t regret it.

[richardthestag]

there are a number of grades of polybush, in Land rover circles I go Blue which is the comfort grade. worth looking for comfort grade for the stag.

Mine has poly everywhere except spring insulators, rear shock absorbers, strut tops and front drag links. The poly has been on so long no that I couldn't comment whether there is more noise than with rubber