[email protected] bushings?

[oldtinsmith]

I've been looking at the PST summer 2012 wish book and studying Mark Savitske's book (How To Make A Muscle Car Handle). Mr. Savitske stated in his book (pg. 78) "If you must use polyurethane bushings, get the graphite-impregnated ones if you can. Use a poly-specific bushing grease or at least synthetic grease on them, and keep them well lubed even if you have to take them apart to lube them. If they're squeaking, thet'ye not working".
"Polyurethane can also cold flow. If you stress it beyond its design limits, it streaches and stays there. In bushings, this is usually exhibited by egg-shaped holes. Since most bushings are free to rotate 360 degrees, this binding usually occurs in torsion".
How often should poly bushings be lubed in a daily driver? What maintenance do poly body bushings need?

What say you?
Thanks,

Doug

 

[tc1959]

Sounds like they are a lot of work (P.I.T.A.) I would probably skip them for a Street car.
Would be best for something like a autocross car.

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Mark also recommended the graphite impregnated body bushings to me,but he never mentioned putting grease on them.I cant really see that grease would do anything to them.I did use the PST ones,very pleased with them.
Guy

 

[GuysMonteSS]

And as tc1959 says,it would be a Giant PITA to re-grease them,if you are going to replace your bushings for the first time,its a fair bit of work.
Guy

 

[oldtinsmith]

I would think the lubricity of the graphite flakes (?) in the polyurethane would do the job for body bushings. It's the suspension parts I'm asking about.
Has anybody used the high dollar Delrin bushings in their lower front arms?

Doug

 

[GuysMonteSS]

Doug,Energy Suspension does have a lube for the suspension bushings,its pretty sticky stuff.I only lubed my poly suspension bushings once.Its not something you would want to do on a regular basis,IMO.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ENS-9-11104/
I just put a set of Global West Del-a-lum delrin front LCA bushings in my Monte,they seem to work OK.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GLS-1024/
Guy

 

[oldtinsmith]

Guy,
If I may ask, why did you decide to install the Delrin bushings in your front lower arms? Lubricity and/or its toughnes?

Doug

 

[james@pst]

During the installation of our polygraphite bushings all you need to do is use the grease supplied with our kits. I did a friends 86 Monte over 7 years ago and the front end is still tight as the day we install it and not squeaks at all. The polygraphite has little to no deflection so car will handle better and hold the road. You should only have to grease them during the time of install. Hope this answer helps

Thanks
James From
PST Marketing
1-800-247-2288
Ext 316

 

[oldtinsmith]

Thanks James.

Doug

 

[G_Body_Enthusiast]

my car has the PST polygraphite bushings and has had them for over 10 years now and ive had zero problems from them. they work as well now as the day they were put in.