My 940 was in need of new radius rod bushings. Every time I braked, I would hear a familiar and unnerving clunk. At first, I thought that was part of the character of an old RWD Volvo. But I guess I eventually wisened up to the fact that cars shouldn’t clunk. If they clunk, it’s never good. I knew as a fact these bushings had never been replaced and the clunk while braking all but isolated my problem. A quick internet search told me that polyurethane bushings were the only way to go. I read about poly bushings improving the ride, and tightening up the steering. Everything else was junk. What did I know? Polyurethane it was.
The new bushings fixed it
The old bushings fell out in pieces, which very graphically explained my issues. Where there was supposed to be rubber, there was air. I replaced them with Daystar poly bushings expecting the elimination of the braking clunk. Yup, that did it.
The story should end there, but let’s back up a bit. When I installed the new bushings, I also installed a new set of dampers on all four corners. They’re slightly stiffer than stock, but not enough to ruin the ride quality. On my drive home, I was expecting a massive change in the feel of my car, around the corners, and over all the bumps. I was finally going to rid my brick of its inner boat.
The boat left, only to be replaced by a Seadoo
It was stiffer than stock for sure, but my car crashed over bumps, worse than before with my non-bushings. It was by no means uncomfortable, but I wasn’t enthusiastic. I simply chalked it up to the new dampers and went on with it.
Fast forward a couple months and I’d been driving my Dad’s S80. Something in my mind clicked. The S80 was more controlled, smooth, and didn’t crash over bumps like my car. The comfort in a Volvo S80 is actually very impressive. It becomes obvious when you look at the lower control arm. There’s not just a rubber bushing, there’s a rubber bushing mounted onto another rubber bushing mounted to the frame. All these stacks of rubber combined to give the comfort I was feeling in the seat. Overkill maybe, but it worked.
Coming back to my Volvo 940 I thought it would be a good idea to replace my polyurethane cone bushings for brand new Lemforder bushings. They’re a good brand and cheaper than OEM, so I figured they would be worth a try. Unlike my drive back from the shop after the first installation, I was smiling. The rubber bushings transformed the car, soaking up the ruts and gliding over everything else. The positive difference of a $14.00 bushing was much more noticeable than my entire suspension upgrade.
If you’re going for comfort or street driving, you just can’t beat rubber bushings. The small amount of give they provide translates to a compliant ride, just like you expect from the factory. However, I understand polyurethane bushings have their benefits. They will last longer than rubber and in many applications they really can be beneficial. In this specific application, I also believe they can improve steering feel, but only if you’re on a racetrack. So for next time when you’re looking at polyurethane bushings, ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve, how it might affect your ride, and what you’re willing to live with. If the factory put a piece of rubber between two metal components, there’s probably a reason why.
