which bushings effect ride quality most and which ones effect handling most? maybe it is easier to put it this way, i want my car to ride firm but not harsh and handle well, as in quick and crisp. Basically which bushings should i go poly and which ones should i go rubber? The car is just a daily driver.

i will be starting a new job soon and will have a budget to start replacing worn parts through out my 20 year old car.

what i have done already.....

-adjustable lower trailing arms
-adjustable pan hard bar
-kyb adjustable shocks all the way around
-replaced rear coil springs (stock height)
-replaced sway bar links (poly bushings up front, still rubber in the back but planning on switching to poly)

things on the list....

-hollow sway bars from sam strano (should I do poly or rubber bushings...i have heard the poly ones tend to bind)
-new ball joints
-new tie rods
-new coil springs
-new wheels and tires (17x9.5 275/40/17)
-control arm bushings (poly or rubber......or replace with tubular)

any other ideas?

 

I'd go with poly bushings and a liberal coat of silicone lube.

 

poly transfers vibration better. keep that in mind. i ordered poly and rubber on my rear control arms. used poly on my strano sway bars, am getting a noise once in a while that may be them. outside tie rod ends will make quite a difference if yours are getting worn. used poly trans mount and didnt like it at all, switched to rubber and went with a tunnel mount torque bar to avoid blowing the trans mount all the time. i would say consider where you are using poly and how it can stiffen the area.

 

thats solid advise craby thanks. do u know if the stock replacement control arm bushings would fit in a set of tubular replacements? i have noticed that my lower arms, as well as my k-member, are starting to rust. i have never seen a new set of lower arms only upper.

 

aftermarket front lower control arms are avialable. spohns has em. i still have stock control arms on the front. not sure what control arms you have, we could look up what fits in the manufactures site.

 

I still have the stock arms. The aftermarket arms I was looking at were from umi.

 

if your not doing autocross then use the ones with bushings and not the roto joint. dont need adjustable for street or occasional 1/4 run. have you looked at what sam has. guy knows his stuff so if your buying from him call and he can point you in the right direction. Strano Performance Parts - Parts Search

 

I've been to his site before. I don't think he offers a lower arm that doesn't have the roto joint on it.

 

i seen that, not sure they make one. i looked around a bit. i know changing the stock bushings are a pita so i been putting it off.