Front bushes - SEAT Cupra solid rubber vs Polyureathane?

[kaanage]

Since I have totally voided my suspension warranty (see the clunking front end thread), I am now looking at enhancing the front suspension behaviour of my Polo.

I was going to get the SEAT Cupra solid rubber bushes in the hope that I could get better braking stability (through decreased dynamic toe out) as well as improved steering response with minimal change.

With the warranty well and truly null and void, I am now looking into Polyureathane front bushes with built in offset so that I can get a similar effect to the Whiteline ALK kits that are available for the MkV and MkVI Golfs. As well as added caster, this would then let me run a stiifer front antiroll bar without reducing compliance on turn in. All of this should further improve the steering response as well as providing the benefits I am hoping for with the SEAT Cupra solid rubber bushes.

The downside, of course, is increased NVH and the possibility of squeaking if the lubrication for the Polyureathane bushes dries out (or gets squeezed out). This is my daily drive and I don't want to make the car too uncomfortable for family use.

Has anyone here had both the SEAT Cupra solid rubber bushes and Polyureathane bushes fitted to the front at different times to their Polo?

[Stuwey]

Well I haven't had both types, but I do have the offset poly ones. Noisy (squeaky) and very harsh.

I experienced a larger difference in harshness when i changed the bushes, than when I put the H&R/Bilsteins in.

It is my daily driver, it does squeak, and it does get annoying. Good turn-in though!

[kaanage]

I found the B12 Bilstein kit (basically the same as your spring/damper combination) quite harsh.
Did they squeak from get go or did that happen over time?

[noone]

I had the Whiteline ones (not offset but similar), they were rough. I changed from the AP Coilovers to KW's when I changed to Seat, so cant specifically say that was the only difference.

If you want comfort, stay stock. If you want to not replace them again with improved performance and vibration / steering feedback, etc, Seat are great.

As for if you should go further, thats a hard one. I think there is more to the ALK than just offset bushes...

[kaanage]

I think there is more to the ALK than just offset bushes...

Nah, that's all they are. It's just that Whiteline do it by using an offset mount with a conventional bush while others like SuperPro offset the hole in the bush and use the existing mount.

The lowered rear control arm increases the inclination of the strut and hence the steering axis a bit which gives the increase in caster. The lowering also reduces the inbuilt antidive/lift (need to find some pics that show the anti-dive geometry so show why) which softens the front end under braking/acceleration which increases compliance so you can get away with a stiffer anti-roll bar without losing grip when turning in while braking.

[kaanage]

The lowering also reduces the inbuilt antidive/lift (need to find some pics that show the anti-dive geometry so show why)

And here it shows why.

The lower arm is inclined more to the rear which lowers the SVIC (Side View Instant Center) and moves it rearward so in the picture h is decrease and l is increased. This reduces the anti-dive force as shown.

[GoLfMan]

I'd grab the SEAT ones mate, not harsh at all, great response, not noisy and will most likely last longer than Poly bushes.

[noone]

if you can put them in easily, you can have my old ones cheap which show no signs of wear, but not really what you're after if its going to cost a lump to get them installed... Kinda runis the cheap test idea...