[DeTomaso] Delrin control arm bushings

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Most plastics including polyurethane can be made softer or harder during 
their formulation (rated by durometer reading). Softer bushings in a 
suspension normally means less precision in handling and less road noise & more 
difficult bushing machining, while harder materials means the opposite in all 
respects. Street cars with compliant suspensions and compliant tires use rubber 
bushings everywhere (which incidently harden with age and weathering), 
while racers use solid aluminum bushings everywhere, very stiff shocks & low 
profile tires w/stiff sidewalls. 
I've found to my surprise and contrary to what I'd expected, metal rod-end 
bushings in stiffer Koni gas shocks, 50-profile tires and fairly hard 
polyurethane bushings (Pantera East) in the a-arms & swaybars did not increase 
bumpy public-road noise in the cabin of our Pantera. Or at least made it no 
worse than it was when we bought it with 70-profile Michelin XWXs and 
all-rubber suspension bushings. So don't avoid harder bushings for supposed comfort 
increases; you likely won't perceive a difference that way, and the increased 
handling precision may keep you out of trouble some day. FWIW- J DeRyke