My $.02 on the Polyurethane/Polygraphite debate... Straight (100%) polyurethane was the basis of the squeaking complaints. Manufacturers started adding graphite to the mix to eliminate the squeaking. Teflon grease was effective but needed to be re-applied when the squeaking started up again. Graphite seems to do the job. Poly bushings tighten up the suspension - I just cruise and run down the dragstrip, so poly isn't important to me. Some guys like their cars to handle firmer, and the poly works well for them. My neighbor put a set in his '65 Coronet and feels that they make the car ride too rough. The only caution I have is the strut rod bushings. The strut rods are heavily loaded (in tension) on braking - braking on bumps/railroad tracks, etc. increases this loading significantly. Rubber helps dampen the stresses placed on the front of the K-member, where urethane transfers most of the shock. I have seen K-members with the front sides of the strut rod bushing bearing surfaces cracked, reportedly due to urethane use. If I were going to run poly bushings, I wouldn't run them on the strut rods, without reinforcing the K-member. Again, just my $.02 (did anybody see the $.02 question on Jeopardy last night?) :P SC -----Original Message----- From: MO ( Steve Mick) [mailto:micher@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 3:01 PM To: 1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx Subject: Re: Poly/graphite bushings Hay Dave, I too had this decision to make. And my research came up about like what you have stated . I chose the rubber because: they were available locally at a lower price, I won't need better than stock handleing, and they should last beyond my lifetime if I don't drive it every day. .........JMO.................MO {Steve Mick} http://stevemick.shutterfly.com/pictures#Part%202 ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Bailey" <bb64d440@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 5:13 AM Subject: Poly/graphite bushings Rich Kinsley's mentioning of the use of poly/graphite bushings in a recent reply rekindled a burning question I've had in the back of my mind for long time. My car is still a long way from re-assembly, but I'd still like to settle this question of: to use Poly/graphite or stay with rubber? I'm aware of the benefits of Poly/graphite's firmer ride / handling / control etc. that I like, but it's more the question of the bad reputation they seem to have of being squeaky or noisy. Is this just a bad rap or is there a certain amount of truth to this? Are all poly/graphite bushings the same regardless of manufacturer? Should these be installed dry or use an (special?) assembly lubricant? And I seem to remember seeing advertisements for these where you can buy them in black to look like rubber instead of the typical red/orange color. To those using Poly/graphite bushings, how do you like them, any regrets? Thanks guys! Dave B '64 Dodge 440 B-body 2dr ht 383 cid 4 bbl 4 spd duel exh ZZW - Anniversary Gold w/ white side sweep -- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! 1962 to 1965 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html and http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/general_disclaimer.html. ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! 1962 to 1965 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html and http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/general_disclaimer.html. ---- Please address private mail -- mail of interest to only one person -- directly to that person. I.e., send parts/car transactions and negotiations as well as other personal messages only to the intended recipient, not to the Clubhouse public address. This practice will protect your privacy, reduce the total volume of mail and fine tune the content signal to Mopar topic. Thanks! 1962 to 1965 Mopar Clubhouse Discussion Guidelines: http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.org/mletiq.html and http://www.1962to1965mopar.ornocar.com/general_disclaimer.html.