Poly or Rubber Bushings

[CameronP]

Hello, I have a 1986 Volvo 245 that I am getting ready to rebuild the suspension on but am having a hard time deciding if I should go with poly bushings or rubber ones. I am leaning towards the poly bushings as I want to improve the handling and longevity but I am concerned about making the ride quality bad. I have seen mixed reviews with some people saying the ride quality is hardly noticeable and some people saying it’s noticeably worse. Do some brands have better ride quality? Should I just replace the old bushings with new rubber ones or do the poly make a significant difference?

Thanks,
Cameron

 

[HiSPL]

Poly in the front is fine. Don’t use poly on the rear though. It constrains the rear axle and actually hurts the performance of the rear suspension.

You CAN use spherical mounts on the axle side and stock bushings on the chassis side for an improvement. This barely raises the nvh in the car as well.

 

[HiSPL]

240 Rear Axle Spherical Bearings V3

volvo 240 spherical axle bearings, volvo 240 trailing arm bushing, volvo 240 rear suspension, Volvo 240 superpro,

www.bneshop.com

240 Hybrid Adjustable Torque Rods V3.5

Pricing: 265 USD + Shipping (Sold in a set of 2) Key Benefits: High Strength Alloy Steel FK Adjustable 3 piece spherical PTFE lubricated rod ends CNC Machined Aluminum center link / Black Anodized High-Quality Stainless reducer bushings allow the use of standard-sized rod ends with increased...

www.bneshop.com

 

[classicswede]

I have always fully poly bushed my 240's for the past 30 years, rubber just does not last

 

[CameronP]

Poly in the front is fine. Don’t use poly on the rear though. It constrains the rear axle and actually hurts the performance of the rear suspension.

You CAN use spherical mounts on the axle side and stock bushings on the chassis side for an improvement. This barely raises the nvh in the car as well.

Oh ok good to know. Thanks!

 

[CameronP]

I have always fully poly bushed my 240's for the past 30 years, rubber just does not last

How is the ride quality with the full poly? What brand bushings do you use?

 

[CameronP]

240 Rear Axle Spherical Bearings V3

volvo 240 spherical axle bearings, volvo 240 trailing arm bushing, volvo 240 rear suspension, Volvo 240 superpro,

www.bneshop.com

240 Hybrid Adjustable Torque Rods V3.5

Pricing: 265 USD + Shipping (Sold in a set of 2) Key Benefits: High Strength Alloy Steel FK Adjustable 3 piece spherical PTFE lubricated rod ends CNC Machined Aluminum center link / Black Anodized High-Quality Stainless reducer bushings allow the use of standard-sized rod ends with increased...

www.bneshop.com

Im curious if you know how long heim joints last for? I live in a pretty wet climate.

 

[HiSPL]

Im curious if you know how long heim joints last for? I live in a pretty wet climate.

I haven’t worn mine out yet so I really don’t know.

They are rebuildable I think

 

[Red]

I just put power flex purples on the front of my 245, and it's pretty sweet. Not gonna blow your socks off or anything, but installation was so easy. Even if they don't last as long as rubbers I don't mind not having to cut out the outer shells when I do replace them.
For the rear, I plan on rubber/spherical for longevity. And lots of people here have recommended it.

 

[gsellstr]

Not all poly is the same for sure. Some use cheap materials or a material that is too hard, causing increased NVH and reduced longevity.
One question as well, what's the intended purpose of the car? Daily? Track? Mix of both?

A lot of lore around poly not flexing in the rear, but for a street car the issue is minimal, sold a LOT of sets of rears, minimal concern from the daily driver crowd. The track/autox crowd is a different story.

Most of my stuff, Volvo and not, has poly all around, with minimal change in ride quality or comfort. I also only run the Superpro stuff, since I know the brand and quality.

 

[CameronP]

I just put power flex purples on the front of my 245, and it's pretty sweet. Not gonna blow your socks off or anything, but installation was so easy. Even if they don't last as long as rubbers I don't mind not having to cut out the outer shells when I do replace them.
For the rear, I plan on rubber/spherical for longevity. And lots of people here have recommended it.

That’s another reason why I was leaning towards poly as they are easier to install so I hear.

 

[CameronP]

Not all poly is the same for sure. Some use cheap materials or a material that is too hard, causing increased NVH and reduced longevity.
One question as well, what's the intended purpose of the car? Daily? Track? Mix of both?

A lot of lore around poly not flexing in the rear, but for a street car the issue is minimal, sold a LOT of sets of rears, minimal concern from the daily driver crowd. The track/autox crowd is a different story.

Most of my stuff, Volvo and not, has poly all around, with minimal change in ride quality or comfort. I also only run the Superpro stuff, since I know the brand and quality.

It is a daily driver so I am not too worried about track performance. Although it would be nice to not have as much body roll.

 

[classicswede]

How is the ride quality with the full poly? What brand bushings do you use?

Ride is perfect, no negative effects on a daily car. Many years ago I used to use Superflex but found a few minor issues with them and went on to develop my own bushes and that is what I fit to everything now

 

[spock345]

Not all poly is the same for sure. Some use cheap materials or a material that is too hard, causing increased NVH and reduced longevity.
One question as well, what's the intended purpose of the car? Daily? Track? Mix of both?

A lot of lore around poly not flexing in the rear, but for a street car the issue is minimal, sold a LOT of sets of rears, minimal concern from the daily driver crowd. The track/autox crowd is a different story.

Most of my stuff, Volvo and not, has poly all around, with minimal change in ride quality or comfort. I also only run the Superpro stuff, since I know the brand and quality.

Just don't stack poly rear bushings, a 25mm rear bar, and overload springs.

 

[CameronP]

Ride is perfect, no negative effects on a daily car. Many years ago I used to use Superflex but found a few minor issues with them and went on to develop my own bushes and that is what I fit to everything now

Good to know thanks!

 

[CameronP]

Just don't stack poly rear bushings, a 25mm rear bar, and overload springs.

What do you mean stack? Like don’t use them on both sides of torque rods or trailing arms? I already have 25mm front and rear sway bar.

 

[Jack]

Not all poly is the same for sure. Some use cheap materials or a material that is too hard, causing increased NVH and reduced longevity.
One question as well, what's the intended purpose of the car? Daily? Track? Mix of both?

A lot of lore around poly not flexing in the rear, but for a street car the issue is minimal, sold a LOT of sets of rears, minimal concern from the daily driver crowd. The track/autox crowd is a different story.

Most of my stuff, Volvo and not, has poly all around, with minimal change in ride quality or comfort. I also only run the Superpro stuff, since I know the brand and quality.

 

[spock345]

What do you mean stack? Like don’t use them on both sides of torque rods or trailing arms? I already have 25mm front and rear sway bar.

Don't run poly bushings, a 25mm sway bar, and overload springs together. Way too stiff and really limits the axle's movement.

 

[classicswede]

Don't run poly bushings, a 25mm sway bar, and overload springs together. Way too stiff and really limits the axle's movement.

If you carry load it is no problem. Almost all of our 240's have overload springs and a few have 25/27 bars fitted, running empty like that is not going to be good but that is due to teh spring more than anything else.

 

[mertz]

Superflex bushes are great. I've used them a fair bit, good quality. If you're new to Volvo's just google the reviews of any seller. Some are much better than others.