Polyurethane instead of rubber grommets

Ram · 24th July 2006, 15:37

Friends:

Does anyone know about replacing the rubber grommets in a Maruti 800 (or any other car for that matter) with polyurethane or polygraphite bushings?

These black rubber chunks are used where the A-Arm (kai.nchii) meets the subframe. Also on anti-roll bar links and MacPherson mountings -- All of which are found on the Maruti 800 and eventually spoil.
Unfortunately rubber is a perishable commodity. In India, it'll eventually break in two.

Want to get all my Maruti 800 bushings replaced.

Ram

varunroy · 24th July 2006, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by ram

Friends:

Does anyone know about replacing the rubber grommets in a Maruti 800 (or any other car for that matter) with polyurethane or polygraphite bushings?

These black rubber chunks are used where the A-Arm (kai.nchii) meets the subframe. Also on anti-roll bar links and MacPherson mountings -- All of which are found on the Maruti 800 and eventually spoil.
Unfortunately rubber is a perishable commodity. In India, it'll eventually break in two.

Want to get all my Maruti 800 bushings replaced.

Ram

The main feature of these Grommets is to provide a cushiony effect between 2 metal parts of which one is moving,because of its flexibility. I am not so sure about the flexibility of polyurethane & polygraphite. Polycarbonate may be a better option, but then I am not so sure.

So long....

Mpower · 25th July 2006, 02:47

Replacing rubber bushing with polyureathane is a common modification in racing cars.
Its provides more lateral compliance and gives a more sporty feel.
But the rubber is softer and absorbs the vibrations. Your're going feel more harshness and vibes with poly.
Also done for engine mounts, strut mounts, rack mounts. The real hardcore ones use heim joints and uni*****.
BTW, M800 does not use A-arm type, it uses a lateral link and brake reaction rod cum sway bar.

Revvhead · 25th July 2006, 11:14

Polycarbonate???!!!!!!!
Are you sure, AFAIK, that stuff is realll hard

Rtech · 25th July 2006, 11:54

Take a look at this site. I'm trying to get something similar for my car as well.

From what I've read on the Skoda forums, it tightens up the ride nicely, and has the added benefit of lasting a lot longer than the standard rubber bushings.

Ram · 25th July 2006, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by varunroy

The main feature of these Grommets is to provide a cushiony effect between 2 metal parts of which one is moving,because of its flexibility. I am not so sure about the flexibility of polyurethane & polygraphite. Polycarbonate may be a better option, but then I am not so sure.

So long....

Polyurethane bushings are quite common on sports and racing cars. They give the firm handling that rubber cannot.

Polycarbon is not polycarbonate!
Polycarbonate is a hard plastic that maintains shape until 115.5 degrees Celsius.
It is moulded into 3 mm thick clear "glass" for aerodynamic headlamps.
It is marketed under the commercial names like "Lexan", "Tuffak" and "Zelux".

Polygraphite (also called Polycarbon) is the same artificial "rubber" used to make woofers and subwoofers.

Plain Polyurethane bushings tend to squeak after some use. The polygraphite ones benefit from the self-lubricating properties of graphite.

Ram

Ram · 25th July 2006, 12:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mpower

BTW, M800 does not use A-arm type, it uses a lateral link and brake reaction rod cum sway bar.

Specifically, I was alluding to the Maruti 800's front Suspension.
This has a lower "A" arm, without the cross member. Some call it a Wishbone. Be it so!
At the upper end, it has a MacPherson strut that inserts into the shock tower.

I meant that MacPherson-Wishbone front suspension.

I'd like to replace its rubber inserts,
and the semicircular rubber bushings on the anti-roll bar,
with new rubber ones
or polyurethane
or graphite-impregnated polyurethane (also known as polygraphite or polycarbon).

Ram

Sankar · 25th July 2006, 15:38

Hi Ram, i had the idea of changing the rubber bushes in my 800. I dropped the idea when i came to know that all the bushings have to be made as it's not readily available here. Someone gave me nylon bushes as an option and said they knew a chap who makes them. But i dopped the idea got onvinced that rubber indeed is the better option on the roads i drive.

The rubber bush inside the lower arms (where ti tbolts to the subframe) are not replaceable. So you might not be able to change it. Another option would be to use zen lower arms with the matching zen bushes for antirollbar. These are better made.

If you are to get them PU bushes keep me posted.

megazoid · 27th April 2011, 19:26

Hi,

Has anyone replaced the stock rubber bushes with poly bushes on the mondeo? Any benefits from the same?

I am going in for a complete suspension change on the Mondeo replacing the current one with a fresh OE set. Getting the bushes also replaced with OE set. Read about the poly bushes and wanted to get an opinion on it. Apparently petes automomotive is a dealer for this in India. Any one has used it before on any car?

AbhiJ · 30th April 2011, 06:38

Polyurethane bushings will def. last longer, but not neccasarily perform better. PU has a high permanent set.

The best bet would be to get some excellent quality synthetic rubber bushes.
Theoritically, good quality synthetic rubber bushes will last upward of 3-4 years, at least. Sourcing them, however will be difficult. That said, even OEM / Maruti Genuine rubber parts are usually not very great quality.

greenhorn · 13th August 2017, 20:38

I had read about PU bushings on a lot of international sites, where they are recommended as superior, and providing better handling for us enthusiast types compared to rubber.
I am not sure about indian conditions, but the reason I am considering them is, I end up having to do a suspension overhaul every 2 years, and of that, I enjoy the benefit of the new bushings only for the first 6-8 months or so, after which, the ride quality deteriorates, and the last 6-8 months are driving on more or less non existent bushings with awful handling.

Yes, I do tend to drive WRC style over potholes, but this is mostly due to my pathetically useless headlights, which are of no help in spotting them at night. While I know that changing my driving style is the appropriate thing to do, but is there an alternative ?

24th July 2006, 15:37	#1
Ram Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore, Mumbai, Nagpur Posts: 2,166 Thanked: 219 Times View My Garage	Polyurethane instead of rubber grommets Friends: Does anyone know about replacing the rubber grommets in a Maruti 800 (or any other car for that matter) with polyurethane or polygraphite bushings? These black rubber chunks are used where the A-Arm (kai.nchii) meets the subframe. Also on anti-roll bar links and MacPherson mountings -- All of which are found on the Maruti 800 and eventually spoil. Unfortunately rubber is a perishable commodity. In India, it'll eventually break in two. Want to get all my Maruti 800 bushings replaced. Ram
	() Thanks

25th July 2006, 02:47	#3
Mpower Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 10,409 Thanked: 1,730 Times View My Garage	Replacing rubber bushing with polyureathane is a common modification in racing cars. Its provides more lateral compliance and gives a more sporty feel. But the rubber is softer and absorbs the vibrations. Your're going feel more harshness and vibes with poly. Also done for engine mounts, strut mounts, rack mounts. The real hardcore ones use heim joints and uni*****. BTW, M800 does not use A-arm type, it uses a lateral link and brake reaction rod cum sway bar.
	() Thanks

25th July 2006, 11:14	#4
Revvhead BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Bombay Posts: 450 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Polycarbonate???!!!!!!! Are you sure, AFAIK, that stuff is realll hard
	() Thanks

25th July 2006, 11:54	#5
Rtech Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 5,770 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	Take a look at this site. I'm trying to get something similar for my car as well. From what I've read on the Skoda forums, it tightens up the ride nicely, and has the added benefit of lasting a lot longer than the standard rubber bushings.
	() Thanks

25th July 2006, 15:38	#8
Sankar Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Posts: 5,766 Thanked: 9,054 Times	Hi Ram, i had the idea of changing the rubber bushes in my 800. I dropped the idea when i came to know that all the bushings have to be made as it's not readily available here. Someone gave me nylon bushes as an option and said they knew a chap who makes them. But i dopped the idea got onvinced that rubber indeed is the better option on the roads i drive. The rubber bush inside the lower arms (where ti tbolts to the subframe) are not replaceable. So you might not be able to change it. Another option would be to use zen lower arms with the matching zen bushes for antirollbar. These are better made. If you are to get them PU bushes keep me posted.
	() Thanks

27th April 2011, 19:26	#9
megazoid BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 502 Thanked: 3,371 Times View My Garage	Polyurethane bushes for the Mondeo Hi, Has anyone replaced the stock rubber bushes with poly bushes on the mondeo? Any benefits from the same? I am going in for a complete suspension change on the Mondeo replacing the current one with a fresh OE set. Getting the bushes also replaced with OE set. Read about the poly bushes and wanted to get an opinion on it. Apparently petes automomotive is a dealer for this in India. Any one has used it before on any car?
	() Thanks

30th April 2011, 06:38	#10
AbhiJ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Kolkata Posts: 1,476 Thanked: 1,207 Times	Re: Polyurethane instead of rubber grommets Polyurethane bushings will def. last longer, but not neccasarily perform better. PU has a high permanent set. The best bet would be to get some excellent quality synthetic rubber bushes. Theoritically, good quality synthetic rubber bushes will last upward of 3-4 years, at least. Sourcing them, however will be difficult. That said, even OEM / Maruti Genuine rubber parts are usually not very great quality.
	() Thanks

13th August 2017, 20:38	#11
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: KL-01 Posts: 7,745 Thanked: 4,402 Times View My Garage	Re: Polyurethane instead of rubber grommets I had read about PU bushings on a lot of international sites, where they are recommended as superior, and providing better handling for us enthusiast types compared to rubber. I am not sure about indian conditions, but the reason I am considering them is, I end up having to do a suspension overhaul every 2 years, and of that, I enjoy the benefit of the new bushings only for the first 6-8 months or so, after which, the ride quality deteriorates, and the last 6-8 months are driving on more or less non existent bushings with awful handling. Yes, I do tend to drive WRC style over potholes, but this is mostly due to my pathetically useless headlights, which are of no help in spotting them at night. While I know that changing my driving style is the appropriate thing to do, but is there an alternative ?
	() Thanks