914 Rear Swingarm bushing question

[Chazmat]

I removed the shocks from the rear of my '74 to replace the bearings in the swingarms. I quite expected the swingarms to swing down. Well, they didn't. It took quite a bit of force to have them go thru the motion and they chattered all the way down. I thought they must be pretty dry and old and should be replaced. When I took the arms to get the bearings pressed out, my machine shop guy said to leave them alone, they look fine. I'd rather hear it from Porsche people.
Should the arms move easily up and down, or be super tight?

While they're out, does anyone recommend for or against going with urethane bushings rather than rubber?

Thank you for your help here

[stownsen914]

The stock rubber bushings are usually pretty tight, and act like you describe. Removing those is a PITA. When I replaced mine years ago to make a track car, I have to have them pressed out.
Try poking at the exposed part of the rubber. Does it seem flexible vs. cracked and hard?

[Chazmat]

They're not cracked and there is some give when pressed with a screwdriver. I'll pass that on as flexible.
I'll take your PITA warning seriously; they can stay.
Thanks much for your reply.

[Magyar Kiwi]

The rubber bushing are meant to flex when the swing arm moves, not slide.
The two front attachment nuts should be tightened with swing arms in the weight on wheels position.
When installed the swing arms will be difficult to move and want to return to the their original position.

[Chazmat]

I have not come across that info anywhere; thank you very much!