Poly vs. Rubber for suspension bushings

[jaknight]

I am starting to put my 1965 Mini Cooper S back together after returning from the body/paint shop.

I will be installing new bushings on the front tie rods, front lower arms, top engine steady,and the rear subframe.

Bushings are offered in poly and rubber. Will poly be too harsh for the street?

Thoughts and comments??

Thank you!

Jim Knight

[Daz1968]

I have gone for road spec poly bushes, I wouldn't use anything new from rubber if I can avoid it, I also look for new old stock ones at auto jumbles.

[Andrew1967]

I wouldn't use any 'new' rubber either - it's invariably cheap (or not, as the case may be) shite that won't last five minutes.

Best to try to get hold of NOS MOWOG rubber if you want it to last.

I must have had a bad experience with poly bushes on the tie bars on my S as they were absolute rubbish, but lots of people swear by poly bushing. I swore too, but not in a positive manner

[Spider]

As bad as the current popular Rubbers maybe, it is still considerably better than Poly Bushes.

[mk1]

I agree with Spider, I wouldn't have a poly bush on any of my cars. they are all crap.

[Vegard]

I agree with Spider, I wouldn't have a poly bush on any of my cars. they are all crap.

I agree too.
They just split and fall out. Rubbish!

[jaknight]

Thank you for your thoughts and comments.

We do not have many British car shows that would have N.O.S. parts here in the USA.

I am sorry to hear that the current rubber products are not of good quality.

This makes for a difficult decision as to what to use.

Jim

[almondgreen]

rubber..........
if you see the colours of the poly items, it can be wrong only....

[pad4]

From someone in the trade - polyurethane is only any use for mudflaps it cant compress and stretch , just one or the other and then UV destroys it as well

Pad

[cheleker]

"I agree with Spider, I wouldn't have a poly bush on any of my cars. they are all crap."

In general, I'd agree, but not "all". Poly-type bushings made by Ward Barbour in the U.S. are all I use anymore. Sort of the best of both worlds.

[jaknight]

Cheleker

Does Ward Barbour make bushings for the MK 1 Minis? Do you have a web address for the company? How long have you been using?

Thanks for the information.

Jim

[Bertam]

I don't think he sells them himself but they are available through Mini Mania in the USA.

All part numbers begin with WB: http://www.minimania.com/Search_Invento ... &Search=wb

[cheleker]

+1 for WB on the Mini Mania web site. Use the SEARCH feature. Set it to PARTS. Search for WB.
Don't know how long I've been using them. More than 10 years.