N/V/H Poly vs Rubber bushings

chillman88 · Feb 5, 2020

Alright folks, I'm going to be replacing leaf spring bushings on my F350 during part of the 4x4 conversion.

Poly or Rubber?

These things ride on the rough side already. I'm leaning towards Rubber for ride quality but figured I'd ask the group for opinions. I didn't really notice any difference on the Chevy, but that rode pretty smooth from the beginning anyway.

I've got the poly body bushings and have toyed with the idea of putting rubber back in. I don't have any squeaking issues or anything, just thinking it might help the ride. I probably won't though considering the prices I've seen on rubber body bushings.

subway · Feb 5, 2020

i don't have any real personnel experience running poly but have heard of others with squeaking and even trouble tracking down the road since the poly spring bushings had an angle machined into them.

i think you will be fine either way but have preferred rubber bushings in my stuff over the years.

frankenwrench · Feb 5, 2020

Poly has served me well, but I had a leak somewhere and my new bushings that were "oil resistant" were not all as advertised. And yes I had an issue with the squeezing but typically ignored it. Rubber bushings have not improved ride quality, but hopefully they last more than 4 years with the dust, grime, and other oily substances that my truck periodically likes to leak. We will see....

chillman88 · Feb 5, 2020

frankenwrench said:
Poly has served me well, but I had a leak somewhere and my new bushings that were "oil resistant" were not all as advertised. And yes I had an issue with the squeezing but typically ignored it. Rubber bushings have not improved ride quality, but hopefully they last more than 4 years with the dust, grime, and other oily substances that my truck periodically likes to leak. We will see....

Do you remember which brand you used?

kuskoal · Feb 5, 2020

Poly bushings for the win. On these trucks it takes a LOT to improve ride. I had to do the 05+ swap with Carli(read: VERY high quality) springs all around, and it still rides a lil rough.

Poly bushings will not deform or fall apart, unless you use the wrong type of grease on the inside. Oil and grease don't really affect it and lasts a LONG time.

frankenwrench · Feb 5, 2020

chillman88 said:
Do you remember which brand you used?

Believe it or not, energy was the brand I used. Lol.

kuskoal said:
Poly bushings will not deform or fall apart, unless you use the wrong type of grease on the inside. Oil and grease don't really affect it and lasts a LONG time.

It was diesel and oil that made its way through the bed from engines and transmissions I throw back there regularly. Even old hydraulic pumps. Definitely not proper grease. Lol. Still took 4 years to deform my bushings.

79jasper · Feb 5, 2020

Go with factory ones and add sulastic shackles?
For me, the energy poly ones make for easy swapping, so even if had to swap them every 4 years, wouldn't be terrible.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

chillman88 · Feb 5, 2020

79jasper said:
and add sulastic shackles?

I've considered that but oof $300 a set.

IDIBRONCO · Feb 5, 2020

I'm almost certain (at least 97%) that I'm going to use rubber ones when I go through the front end on my truck here in another couple of months. I figure that if they've lasted since 1985 and aren't completely shot, then they should last long enough for me. They may even outlast me. :dunno

Fordman1920032003 · Feb 5, 2020

I did poly when I redid the front of my bronco. Been a year of daily driving and I still dont get any camber when I back up. Also my tires quit cupping.

jrollf · Feb 5, 2020

I completely replaced all the bushings in my front end with poly probably 5-6 years ago and have been very happy.

Replaced the cab mounts with poly this year and have been happy so far. However I don't have a 4x4.

1993 F350 Crew Cab Dually
XLT
7.3 Factory IDIT w/Banks Sidewinder
5spd Manual

ifrythings · Feb 6, 2020

IDIBRONCO said:
I'm almost certain (at least 97%) that I'm going to use rubber ones when I go through the front end on my truck here in another couple of months. I figure that if they've lasted since 1985 and aren't completely shot, then they should last long enough for me. They may even outlast me.

Your expectations of today’s rubbers are high

N/V/H Poly vs Rubber bushings

Bushing material

Rubber

Poly

We don't need no steeenking bushings!

chillman88

Supporting Member

subway

be nice to the admin :D

frankenwrench

overkill is under rated!

chillman88

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kuskoal

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frankenwrench

overkill is under rated!

79jasper

Chickenhawk

chillman88

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IDIBRONCO

IDIBRONCO

Fordman1920032003

Registered User

jrollf

Full Access Member

ifrythings

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