Polybushing a 300 ?

[TasMan]

I have a notion to polybush my 360....

Just wondering if it really makes a noticeable difference and how difficult it is to change them all out with basic equipment ?

I have an annoying creak from the front suspension at low speed, it has new Classic Swede top mounts and the springs are fine so I don't think it is strut related. I suspect dry bushes maybe since the car has sat for so long and with little use? I was going to spray some silicon lubricant onto the bushes but its off the road now and I'm just wondering if polybushes would be a useful upgrade.

Cheers Dave

[SteveP]

I know Andy (pettaw) on here did this a long while back and it did tighten things up, but with an adverse effect in noise and vibration through the car. It really depends on your driving but I don't think I'd personally go for poly on a 300 road car, for me they are noisy and bouncy enough at times

Sometimes poly bushes can be easier to install when they come in two parts with a metal inner sleeve.

[TasMan]

Thanks Steve, Will have a search to see if Andy posted anything up.
Yeah I know what you mean about noise and I expect vibration transfer would be increased a little. My driving style is pretty laid back and easy with a dose of mechanical sympathy towards the clutch
Will give it a little thought.
The only poly bushes available are Dai's and they seem to get good reports and I think some of them are split/sleeved.
Cheers Dave

[SteveP]

Dai sells a few and also superflex have some available, I think you can get the rubber originals from Born Built Beauties - I think whatever you choose they will give a nice benefit over bushes that could potentially be 36 years old

[TasMan]

Hi Steve, You will be spot on about the age of the originals. The last owner did manage one decent upgrade which was the new top mounts and gas dampers on the front which makes me wonder about progressing that a little. I really don't want to spoil the car and if I went down the poly route I would use the black versions rather than the bright red!
I've been pricing up Dai's bushes, the whole kit for the car is fairly reasonable for a bespoke set of bushes, just mulling it over for the moment.
Been doing a fair bit of reading on the subject. Two very informative links here... https://www.suspension.com/blog/why-use ... -bushings/
https://www.suspension.com/blog/rubber- ... -bushings/

I expect noise/vibration would be a bit worse but as to how much more I'm not sure...
Talking of old parts the tyres were from 1993 I think, and the spare was a virtually new 1987 original ! I replaced all 5 tyres but kept the spare as part of the history of the car.

[SteveP]

I actually don't think I've ever had a 300 that's managed to wear one of the bushes in the front end compontents, other than top mounts and anti roll bar links. Thankfully they do tend to last quite well but I bet some new ones would make a difference when our cars are at this kind of age!

Good sign the last owner did them last jobs... original top mounts and OEM style replacement gas shocks are sadly no longer available. I've been on a hunt for a pair of non-adjustable gas front shocks to refresh the GLT a bit for about 2 years - managed to order a set of KYB's from Italy only to be told they don't actually have any...!

It's hard to quantify the difference, only way of knowing is to try

[volvomania]

I think you can get the rubber originals from Born Built Beauties - I think whatever you choose they will give a nice benefit over bushes that could potentially be 36 years old

The ones from BBB are not NOS but fresh rubber.
What ever you choose, it will be better than before.

[SteveP]

The ones from BBB are not NOS but fresh rubber.

That's what I meant - new, presumably equivalent to original