Self Made Poly Suspension Bushings - What grade poly?

[radman3120]

Ok, here's what I was thinking. You can buy huge rods of polyurethane online for fairly cheap. I could buy one or two of them, buy all the stock rubber bushings, have the polyurethane cut to match the stock rubber ones, and then return the rubber ones. My dad can cut the bushings exactly because he works in a machine shop. The only problem I am running into is that I dont know what to buy. There are so many different grades of polyurethane and I dont know how hard or soft I should go. Can anyone explain the system or tell me what grade is usually used for suspension bushings?

[radman3120]

Well, I emailed a few people and I got the number for Energy Suspension. I'm going to call them, hopefully tomorrow. Seeing as they dont produce bushings for our cars anyway, hopefully they will be helpful.

[Dirty Rockstar]

Keep us posted.. My eyes will be on this.. I want a nice stiff and sporty suspension on my car, but with a touch of class

[radman3120]

alright guys i havent gotten a chance to call yet but i should be able to tomorrow.....hopefully i come up with somethin, ill let you know

[Dirty Rockstar]

Awesome! Good to hear!

[Pabz]

Awesome! Good to hear!

 

Sounds Sweet!

[radman3120]

I talked to a guy at Energy Suspension today and............

 

He said the stuff they use for control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, and the like are between 80 A and 90 A. Usually about 88 A. The problem is, though, that most of the stuff they use is molded and i would probably have a hard time machining it because it is too soft. He said he's heard of some people freezing the poly to harden it enough to make clean cuts. He also said that there is a material called delron that is similar and can be machined. Has anyone ever heard of delron?

[slick]

It's Delrin, and yes it will work. But, it will be stiffer and may not last as long as Poly.

[radman3120]

It's Delrin, and yes it will work. But, it will be stiffer and may not last as long as Poly.

 

When you say stiffer does that mean too stiff? Will it still last longer than rubber?

 

I'm thinking of buying a small piece of the poly and trying it out normal and frozen to see if i can get a good cut.

[slick]

Well, I don't know if you've ever felt Poly before, but it's pretty stiff (but still soft enough to be a pain to machine). Delrin will be a ton stiffer, and should be machinable, but because it's soo stiff, it may not last as long, because it cannot give as much as Poly. Rubber being so soft lasts the longest, but obviously it's soft, so getting handling lacks with it.

 

Really, your best bet probably is Poly. But, I don't know the price differneces between Delrin and Poly, so maybe Delrin may be a better option because it is more machinable.

[radman3120]

Thanks for the input....i will let you guys know what i end up with

[AWeb80]

delrin is more of a plastic type stuff........

[Schudini]

Thanks for the input....i will let you guys know what i end up with

 

Any updates?

[patgizz]

i've had success putting it in the freezer

[Mach 5]

Delrin is very strong and very rigid with a greasy feel to it. It is also heat resistant. I don't know if it is good for bushings though. Worth a try.