In any car there is a large number of rubber components. These are bushings for various purposes, o-rings, covers, carpets, mud flaps and, of course, silent blocks. By the latter is meant a product made of two metal bushings, one of which is of a smaller diameter and is placed inside the other, connected to each other by rubber. Sizes of silent blocks vary in a wide range.
Due to the fact that the rubber wears out quickly enough and does not work well at low temperatures, they try to replace it with a more stable and durable material, such as polyurethane. Polyurethane bushings, reviews of which do not have time to fly around the Internet, will be the subject of research in this article. Consider the positive aspects of these products, their difference from rubber competitors, properties, varieties and methods of production.
Appointment
For a more understandable comparison and understanding, the purpose should be indicated. Silent block as a rubber-metal sleeve in the lever is a connecting link between the suspension elements of the car. The flexibility, elasticity and reliability of the joints between the levers depends on it. When a load is received, an impact on one of the linking levers, the silent block extinguishes it and transmits only part of the oscillations.
Useful properties of silent blocks determine their widespread use in the car. They can be found:
- in the front suspension;
- in the rear suspension;
- for fastening the power unit and gearbox;
- in steering gears.
Attractive features of polyurethane
To make the merits of products made of polyurethane more understandable, consider its properties. First of all, polyurethane is an artificially created synthetic elastomer. Depending on the modes of manufacturing technology and the adjustable number of components included in the output, several types of material can be obtained at the output. At the same time, the strength of the simplest option is 4 times higher than the strength of rubber. The material is not afraid of work in aggressive environments. Operating temperature ranges from -60 to +80 degrees Celsius.
Polyurethane bushings reviews have the most positive. Of course, there are enough negative ones, which are explained by some material shortcomings, which are explained below. Well, among the advantages should be highlighted:
- high strength;
- greater resistance to shock loads;
- wide range of operating temperatures;
- successful resistance to aggressive environments: oil, gasoline, acids, salts;
- the ability to change their physico-chemical properties with a change in composition.
The strength of polyurethane bushings is due not only to the fact that the material itself is strong, but also to the fact that the bond between the metal and polyurethane is also significant and exceeds rubber. That is why among the bushings of this material there are practically no delamination. At low temperatures, polyurethane does not tan and ages much longer, when compared with rubber. As you can see, there are a lot of pluses, and as for the shortcomings?
A bit of tar in a barrel with honey
Despite the many positive aspects, polyurethane bushings have some disadvantages. The most important of them is cost. The prices of such silent blocks are at least 2 times higher than the prices of rubber analogs. And the stronger the type of polyurethane, the greater this difference. For example, a silent block made of polyurethane for a foreign car can have a price of 2500 rubles, while a native rubber analogue will cost 500 rubles.
The second point, which reduces the number of people using such products, is rigidity. Suspension on polyurethane bushings is well suited for a sports car. For a simple passenger car, the joy of driving can be significantly reduced due to the tight grip of polyurethane. That is why this material is used much less often for engine mountings.
It is also worth noting that polyurethane bushings reviews in the winter are worse due to creak. And this moment actually takes place, since silent blocks made of polyurethane, unlike rubber ones, must always be lubricated during installation.
With all this, buying polyurethane products, it is imperative to study the suppliers. The production process is not so complicated, and there are many enterprises engaged in the manufacture of material. And, of course, the quality of different manufacturers may vary significantly. And such an indicator as price, in this case helps a little. Polyurethane bushings, the reviews for which are consistently good, are of the best quality.
Well-known manufacturers
In a short period of time, polyurethane silent blocks on VAZ, GAZ, UAZ and foreign cars have gained their market share. Among the manufacturing companies it is worth highlighting:
- "Fulcrum."
- "Fivefold resource."
- LLC Polyurethane.
The Point of Support company has only positive reviews and has been supplying polyurethane products since 2000. They produce silent blocks of levers, suspensions, bushings of shock absorbers, stabilizers and many others, such as are necessary for replacing a product. The other two firms are younger, but no less ambitious. A large number of polyurethane products receive more and more responses and various reviews.
Polyurethane silent blocks production
Popular products made of polyurethane so attract attention that they cause a desire to make them yourself. It would seem that it could be simpler: take the finished powder from the necessary components and, having withstand the right temperature and pressure, get the desired elastomer. Having a form, it is possible to fill polyurethane in the liquid phase and, for example, receive rear silent blocks at the outlet.
In reality, everything is not so rosy. Without special equipment, quality products cannot be obtained. But only excellent quality and chic properties attract above all. That's why there are not so many famous manufacturers. Knowing the real reviews, it is easy enough to determine for yourself the right supplier.
Do-it-yourself polyurethane silent blocks
It should immediately be said that it is almost impossible to make high-quality polyurethane products on their own. In addition to specialized machines for metal processing, it is necessary to have equipment and devices for producing polyurethane. In an artisanal way at home, only the elastomer itself can be obtained, but its quality cannot be compared with industrial products.
The same rear silent blocks on cars of any manufacturer have hard-set parameters. Not every industrial production is capable of producing a product with the same characteristics. In addition, the smaller the batch of products, the higher the final cost.
Application
Silent block - a common element in the design of any car. Therefore, the use of polyurethane bushings is not limited to foreign cars, they are also used in domestic cars. Most of all, polyurethane products are valued in sports cars, since a greater margin of safety, which rubber does not, is needed here. In sports pendants, the hardest polyurethane bushings are used, they receive well-deserved reviews.
The next category of cars in which polyurethane has worked well are SUVs. Ordinary rubber here wears out rather quickly and does not fulfill its functions. Hobs levers, bushings stabilizers - everything goes with a bang.
Domestic cars for the use of polyurethane products are in last place, and this place is determined precisely by reviews. Indeed, according to the number of volumes sold, our motorists will give odds to foreign cars. VAZ uses silent blocks in the same quantities. And many want to check the wear resistance of polyurethane in their car.
Reviews about polyurethane silent blocks on the VAZ
The fleet of domestic cars includes both passenger and utility vehicles, as well as SUVs and trucks. At the same time, it was VAZ cars that received the greatest use of polyurethane. Polyurethane saylentblok on "Niva" work well in any weather conditions and extend the time until the next repair. VAZ-2121 is a popular inexpensive model for the outback roads and hiking conditions. Investing in a polyurethane suspension, according to reviews, is justified.
Polyurethane bushings on the VAZ-2107 also have such positive qualities as durability, long-term operation and improved handling. At the same time, Russian classics become excessively stiff, which may alienate lovers of a comfortable ride. After all, rubber as a softer material gives a feeling of softness and comfort, which not everyone needs on domestic vehicles.
Among the manufacturers of polyurethane for Russian cars, the SS20 Sport brand stands out. Polyurethane bushings (VAZ) have a bright red color for sports suspension and classic yellow for standard options. The increased rigidity of the "SS20 Sport" series guarantees maximum controllability and the largest margin of safety and durability.
Why are polyurethane products in different colors?
Polyurethane bushings on VAZ-2107, GAZ, UAZ and even on foreign cars can have different colors. And if the yellow color has already become familiar, then red, blue and green can confuse the first time.
Polyurethane itself is initially colorless. Dyes are added specifically to mark a particular composition. Therefore, to determine the properties of a liked, for example, blue silent block, you must read the product description. Different manufacturers under the same color can produce goods with different physicochemical properties.
Unfortunately, there are no uniform standards for polyurethane products yet. However, yellow polyurethane bushings, according to reviews, are considered the softest.
Reviews of the use of polyurethane on foreign cars
Many motorists after watching advertisements about polyurethane began to use polyurethane bushings in their cars. The reviews of the VAZ-2110 or Toyota did not make much difference. The general opinion has become much tougher. And if at the same time you save money and take a cheaper polyurethane kit, you can purchase low-quality products.
The best reviews are written by owners of sports cars that operate vehicles on a flat road. In cases with irregularities, the opinions of car owners changed to the opposite.
Subtleties of installation
In order for polyurethane bushings to work exactly as they should, a number of recommendations must be followed.
First of all, before installing the silent blocks, it is necessary to lubricate, for example, lithol. This will add surface elasticity and reduce the creak so unloved by all. This is especially true for the operation of products at low temperatures.
The second point is the preliminary tightening of the suspension before a test run for break-in. In a quiet mode, polyurethane bushings on the "Niva", for example, take their places in fact and take a working form. And only after running in all the bolts are finally tightened.
Rubber or Polyurethane
A long debate about which is better: rubber or polyurethane in silent blocks, you can forget. There are pros and cons to each side. So, rubber attracts primarily with its softness and elasticity. At the same time, the material strongly tans in the winter and has a short service life. Loses before polyurethane and in aggressive environments.
Polyurethane, according to reviews, is indispensable for sports suspension, where good handling and a long service life are required. But already on the bumps in road realities, the polyurethane front silent block will bring some inconvenience to the entire front suspension.
Conclusion
Summing up, it should be noted that polyurethane bushings have high attractiveness and remarkable properties. With the right selection, which takes into account operating conditions, as well as with proper installation, polyurethane analogues will last much longer than native rubber products.