neatrix vs poly-graphite--- thoughts?

[C-Pierce]

Anyone know the big difference here? what is a better product?

oh and this is regarding spring plate bushings

thanks
Chris

[tonythetarga]

lots been said about this over the years and the search button should yield lots of info. When I did my tbars and bushings I used Neatrix for the rears and Elephant PB's for the fronts. Neatrix is similar to factory rubber and poly bushings are hard plastic, have to be fitted with some expertise and have a tendancy to squeek. You need to read up and find what works best for you.

[ossiblue]

Good advice from Tony. I had poly on my 912 (from the PO) and though they rode and held up well, they squeeked--not a high pitch like worn shocks on old U.S. cars, but a squeek nonetheless. (The car was so noisey from the engine and air through the windows that I rarely heard the squeek unless it was in a slow drive.) Elephants are smooth as silk and quiet but need greasing (no biggie). Personally, I'd go with Elephants or neatrix.

[Jim727]

I just had the suspension bushings on my '71 refreshed all around - used Neatrix on my mechanic's advice (which I have learned to take). I agree with Tony on the installation; though I didn't do all the work, it didn't look like the easiest DIY job. The trick with Neatrix appears to be picking the compound, and we went with the softest "street" compound. Love the results and we'll see what the future holds for squeaks, though I'm told that squeaks aren't a problem for the softest bushings.

I haven't used the polygraphite, but understand they are about as pliable as concrete, so not a particularly good choice for the street.

The Elephant poly-bronze products have an excellent reputation; would have no difficulty choosing that route, especially if you want to do the work yourself.

If you do the rears, you might consider also doing the fronts unless they are recent replacements since you'll have to corner balance and align anyway. Elephant can provide poly-bronze or rebush your A-arms or you can do Neatrix.

And, while you're in there, there are trailing arm bushings to consider, and sway bar bushings, and..........

[GMR911]

Do Neatrix bushings come in differant hardnesses? I didn't think they did. How do you install them, with or without glue? Thanks for any info because I am also preparing to do this job shortly, Jerry

[wilke3169]

I bought new Neatrix bushings. While putting them in one of the spring plates broke so I bought the sway away adjustables which came with the poly bushings. They sqeak terribly. I understand they can be machined to fit to improve this problem. When my son and I headed out to a DE he asked if we could stop and fix that noise.
Anyways I just received new poly bronze bushings today and should be able to report on them next week.

[tonythetarga]

Originally Posted by GMR911

Do Neatrix bushings come in differant hardnesses? I didn't think they did. How do you install them, with or without glue? Thanks for any info because I am also preparing to do this job shortly, Jerry

glue won't hold them, more like a good silicone lube to prevent tearing the rubber. I did not see a selection of compounds when I bought mine here on PP.

[Jim727]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles%5C911_suspension_bushings%5C911_suspe nsion_bushings.htm

[KTL]

I just completed this job. I previously installed Neatrix and now changed to polygraphite. I chose polygraphite because they're cheap (~$70) vs. the spendy PolyBronze. Plus a friend had problems with his PolyBronze so I couldn't go with those.

~6 years ago I replaced the original rear springplate bushings with Neatrix since PolyBronze did not exist at that time. Otherwise i'm sure I would have chosen PolyB. Years ago I read of the many problems people had with squeaking and binding of poly bushings. So I chickened out and went with Neatrix rubber. There is only one Neatrix rubber bushing. There are no "compound" choices here. Some people are confusing Neatrix rubber bushes with the different hardnesses available in polyurethane bushings.

So I recently decided I would like to replace the rubber Neatrix bushings with more peformance oriented poly bushings because I really only use my car for track DE days anymore. I decided to go with Weltmeister polygraphite to avoid squeaking and maintain some semblance of non-harshness (some polyurethane and Delrin plastic are known to be harsh) since I drive my car to the track. I removed the Neatrix bushings and I have to say they held up VERY well to 3 years of hard driving at the track, burdened by 29mm torsion bars, stiffer rear sway bar and sport shocks. The bushings are only mildly deformed with a slight ridge around the interface area between the chassis and the cover plate. They also stuck to the springplates very well. I was a bit pessimistic about them sticking when I saw what glue was provided with the bushings- super glue/cyanocrylate glue. The super glue works. I had to do a little work to separate them from the spring plates. I'd recommend Neatrix to anyone looking for a simple install to replace rubber with rubber. They work very well and are the easiest install. As long as you use a good lubricant to get them installed (they''re a tight press fit). I found silicone spray to be very effective at helping me push the springplates into the chassis.

Now for the polygraphite install........ YES. These bushings require fitting by means of sanding the bushing down in order to make them fit well. If you just hammer them on to the springplate and cover plate, you're asking for binding and squeaking. NO question about it. So I measured and shaped the bushings with 150 & 80 grit sandpaper to fit my parts such that there would be a mild amount of effort required to rotate the springplate. Took the better part of a day to shape/cut the bushings to size, since I don't have any power tools suitable for sanding the bushings. I sanded the OD of the bushings with a block by hand and constantly measured and test-fitted them dry to get a snug fit without binding

Installed them with the torsion bars last night with a GENEROUS amount of poly bushing grease from Energy Suspension (this is some whitish clear paste that is extremely sticky) and they work well. I think the key to avoiding squeaks is this grease, and of course proper fitment. We'll find out how well they work when I get the car rolling.

[Jim727]

Yep, Kevin is right. Looks like Neatrix = Neatrix and the references I was hearing to stiffer bushings just meant polygraphite. My confusion, sorry.

So, I guess what is "better" is simply a function of what you will be using the car for. I'm extremely pleased with my new Neatrix setup, but then I didn't want the noise or harshness of polygraphite.

[lateapex911]

If you are open minded, the WEVO SPS system has them all beat. And chucks new setup is a candidate too. if you are going to corner weight your car, the extra money spent on the better parts will come back to you in part in labor savings in the long run,....