Poly v Rubbers bush kits ...pros & cons

Most of my bushes (1990 RR) need changing.

I can get poly or rubber bushes, poly being over twice the price of the rubber ones.

Has anybody had experience with poly/rubber bushes? Is there a marked difference in handling/performance? Are they either easier to fit? Are they worth 2x or more price tag?

Thanks,

the fancy poly ones are easy to fit, which is just as well as you'll be fitting them quite often

go for orginal rubber ones, fit and forget for the next 10 years

As usual, what Sean says ...

I replaced rear suspension rubbers with Polybushes last time I broke a shock, just as a test before I went ahead and replaced all of the bushes with Poly. Changed back to new rubber bushes after six months, the Poly were worn out. They allow good movement, but I reckon because of this they abrade themselves far more than the rubber ones, 'specially if you go into muddy water!!

I wouldn't touch Polybushes unless it were a competition vehicle that was being regularly stripped and checked.

The poly's are a doddle to change, but as has been written, they are expensive and not as durable as the original steel/rubber. If you have access to a press, the originals are easy to press out & replace-otherwise it's a hacksaw job to split the steel sleeves and then you ideally have to press the new ones in and they are a very tight fit

I've just replaced the front end bushes on mine - stayed with stock rubber bushes. You definately need a press to change them though.

I replaced the rear bushes a few months ago without the aid of a press but what a nightmare!!

For my ten pennoth, stick with rubber bushes.

I remember changing all the original bushes on a Disco for Polybushes and I did not have access to a press at the time, the steel bushes had to be slit with a hacksaw and would not move. I had to set the rubber alight (The neighbours loved me!!) in order to melt it and the steel casings came out easily. You can imagine how long it took and my contribution to Global Warming. Luckily, I had access to a hydraulic press at work of 100ton capacity and when I replaced the bushes on the Classic, they took around 30tons to shift the old ones but the new ones went in easier.
Made a few bob from a local specialist/breaker as I refurbished some suspension arms and he sold them rebushed as an exchange item, then rebushed those. Don't know why someone has not thought of it as I would willingly pay an additional charge for a rebushed set of arms- a case of old ones in for refurb. and recon. arms out, you could also have unbushed arms available for people who wanted to use Poly's-would save a lot of sweat!!

You're not wrong there Irishrover. I have a 20 tonne press that did the job O.K. but had to give it some to get the old bushes moving.