Going back to stock rubber bushings from polyurethane

[nickmpower]

I am thinking about doing this. I am tired of all the pops and and squeaks from poly bushings. I have tried a couple different types of recommended lubricants and not much has come from it.

I think bmwman91 has done this, perhaps he can share his experiences.

I am looking to change subframe, trailing arm, and the front control arm bushings. I am stuck with the swaybar bushings since I have aftermarket sways...

[bmwman91]

I did it and it was a great decision. Ride quality improved tenfold, and honestly, it handled as well or better. You get back a lot of forgiveness in the suspension, which I think helps handling on rough roads. Poly is really only advantageous on a track where conditions are kept ideal, in my opinion. So I highly recommend a full stock bushing setup. These cars handle incredibly well with stock stuff. A lot of people swear by poly, but I think that it is because the poly is replacing 20 year old worn-out rubber parts in most cases.

I am also still "stuck" with poly sway bushings because of my ST bar set. Seriously considering ditching it for stock though since it is inevitable that the rear chassis mounts will rip off again, even with the TMS reinforcements.

[nickmpower]

I'm wondering if I can get away with just the trailing arm the and CAB's. I think they are the sources of the popping. I think the aluminum bushings inside the trailing are bushings are not quite long enough. I have them tightened down as tight as I can but one of them makes noise at the slightest accel/decel. The CAB's make noise when going over bumps over braking.

[bmwman91]

The TA bushings are the noisiest poly ones as far as I can tell.

I tried all sorts of lubricants on them for years and none ever quieted them down. Then I went back to stock and all was silent. The CABs and sub frame bushings shouldn't be making noise.

[nickmpower]

I dunno, my akg cabs make noise when going over bumps while braking (the CABs are actually under load here). It only happens under braking so I can't imagine its the sway bar bushings.