Poly sway bar bushings?

[ericsmith32]

Anybody here use poly bushings in their Festiva/Aspire? I was thinking that since poly is cheaper and last longer I would go that route.

I was looking through energy suspensions website and didn't see anything that would work on the Festiva/Aspire as far as the swar bar bushings, where the sway bar connects to the lower arms. Anyone know where I get poly bushings that would work? I bought some MOOG bushings (blue) but haven't installed them yet. They maybe poly but I couldn't find out anywhere.

According to the energy suspension website they have the bushings where the control arms connects to frame and the swar bar bushings so they should be easy, don't know about the rear control arms yet. I'm going to replace them all except the ones in the struts. I want to install new struts and lowering springs eventually so they'll get done at that time.

[25Horseplay]

FMS carry's higher durometer bushing for the sway bar and other front end parts.

[F3BZ]

i bought a pair of the moog blu bushings and installed them about 40K mi. ago in my daily driver festy. last time i inspected the front suspension they still looked solid, no cracks or visible wear. no sqeaks or any other problem. i can't say there is any noticeable improvement in handling/road feel or steering response but its the only strong link in the weak chain of worn or factory spec suspension pieces on a high milage car so i wasn't expecting miracles. interestingly, before i installed them i compared them to a new pair of FMS high durometer bushings which while stiffer than stock i was still able to indent with a fingernail whereas i couldn't do the same with the moogs so i'm guessing they are poly something or other. if for nothing other than longevity, for the price they can't be beat. i can find the part# if anyone is interested or maybe ericsmith still has the #. these pieces were listed as a moog "problem solver" part and i asked the parts guy if there were any other "problem solver" bushings listed for the festiva but at that time those were the only ones they made in that category.

[25Horseplay]

Ita always nice to be able to compare them side by side!

[ericsmith32]

I think the moog's are thermoplastic. I might have to call fms on the swarbar poly bushings.

[25Horseplay]

I am not sure the FMS ones are poly, just a higher durometer rubber.

[Jimmy]

I think the moog's are thermoplastic. I might have to call fms on the swarbar poly bushings.

Polurethane is a type of thermoplastic. Thermoplastic is a category of plastic and polyurethane fits into that category... if that makes sense.

Thermoplastic means it softens with heat - as opposed to thermosets which don't soften apreciably with heat intil they begin to burn.

I have the blue Moog bushings also. They are Polyurethane. I bought mine at O'Rielly auto parts for $20. Best $20 I've spent on the Festy.

-James-

[Guest]

Edit: Sorry should have read better.. Moog blues on the lower control arms and ES on the front..

I have Energy Suspension polys on mine, but I made a plate so they wouldn't slide or distort.. I've had them on for a year and they are much better. This was a test that went good. Everyone said not to use them because the bracket was wrong.. well that is true.. When I tried the first time with the bracket that came with them, within 2 weeks they were bent and scary.. So I made a plate to go under them that would keep the flat part flat and used the stock brackets.. Never had a problem and they hold up soooo much better.

[ericsmith32]

So your using ES's where the sway bar connects to the lower control arm? I didn't see anything that looked big enough.. I'll have to go back and bug the O'Reillys guys again.

[Guest]

sorry you must have replied before my edit..

[ericsmith32]

Actually I replied after.. but I understand what your saying now. I'll have to take a look I think I know what you're describing on the polys for the actual sway bar. I guess the sway bar on our cars do more work than a standard sway bar? I may of found some poly's that might work on the control arm. I need to take some measurements before I know.

[Guest]

Oh yeah much more than a standard sway bar.. The front stock bushings have an oval seat so the the flat mounting es bushings will slide which allows play towards the bracket.. I havent tried to use the ES brackets since I made the flat seat plate, but if you compare the brackets, the difference in the thickness is night and day.. There is a reason they are made as rigid as they are..

[packrat427]

I bought my poly bushings for the front end at Advanced Auto Parts , like $16.00 a side , I love them and could tell a big difference when installed .

[Guest]

I bought my poly bushings for the front end at Advanced Auto Parts , like $16.00 a side , I love them and could tell a big difference when installed .

What did you use? Because if they have flat seats, they will move.. I promise..

[packrat427]

You are scaring me DJ .
I had the shop that rebuilt the tranny put them on when I done the new axle and the lower arms .

They were for my car and I know that they were 2 bushings and 2 spacers per side .

What have I done now :roll: